Safety Update
With Portland Pride festivities (and lots of other events across the summer) back in person this year, now is a good time to talk about safety plans. While it is incredibly rare for anything significant to happen at the Waterfront Festival or the Parade, there are no guarantees. Pride is still Pride, and we know that there are many people who would prefer that LGBTQIA2S+ people go back into hiding and/or not exist at all. Pride Northwest has long prioritized the physical safety of our events as much as is possible, and we will continue to do so. That said, we ask folks to do their part. Be aware of your surroundings, stay close to people that you know, and watch out for anything or anyone that seems out of place.
In all reality, the likelihood of our community members being unsafe or harmed increases the fewer people there are around, and Pride festivities, both large and small, happen all across the region. With a bit of planning and a lot of awareness, we can keep ourselves and each other safe.
Here are some useful suggestions for keeping everyone as safe as possible:
Travel in pairs or groups. As much as possible, avoid going places alone, especially (but not just) after dark.
Let someone who won’t be with you know your plans for the day and night. Let that person know who you’ll be with and if plans change. Brainstorm in advance ways people can contact and support you.
Charge your electronics and bring chargers and/or extra battery packs.
Write down phone numbers of friends or family on a piece of paper in case your cell phone dies.
Be aware of your surroundings: Locate public spaces and 24-hour businesses to seek help if you feel unsafe.
Always trust your instincts. If you feel threatened or unsafe, remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible.
Don’t display or count your money where others can see you.
If you face violence or harassment, alert bystanders and get away if you can. Then, notify event organizers or nightclub staff for immediate support.