LGBTQ culture in Salem, Oregon

The American city of Salem, Oregon is considered generally LGBTQ-friendly. In 2017, the city ranked highest among those in Oregon for having "the most LGBTQ-friendly policies and inclusiveness", scoring 90 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's Municipal Equality Index. According to the Statesman Journal, "Salem scored perfectly on its non-discrimination laws, law enforcement and municipal services. The city lost points for not having transgender-inclusive health benefits and city leadership's lack of pro-equality legislative and policy efforts."[1]

In 2022, the Salem-Keizer School District established policies aimed at improving the "safety, wellbeing, education and success" of transgender and non-binary students".[2][3] A committee also decided not to remove the book Gender Queer: A Memoir from libraries.[4] In 2024, the Salem Reporter said, "In the past year, books about LGBTQ+ people and people of color were hidden on far away shelves and thrown in the trash at multiple Salem libraries."[5]

Southside Speakeasy is a gay bar in Salem.[6] The bar has hosted queer line dancing.[7]

Events

Salem hosts an annual Pride event Pride in the Park, which is organized by Salem Capital Pride.[8][9][10] LGBTQ demonstrations have been held at the Oregon State Capitol in Salem.[11]

In 2024, Salem's St. Paul's Episcopal Church held its first Pride Mass.[12]

Organizations

Salem has a chapter of the LGBTQ organization PFLAG. Youth Era's Salem Drop is a community space for people ages 14 to 25, including many LGBTQ people. Northwest Human Services has offices at West Salem Clinic focused on "creating a healthy community with respect, compassion, and acceptance for all", according to the Statesman Journal. The clinic offers services related to hormone replacement therapy and transgender health care.[13]

References

  1. ^ Woodworth, Whitney. "Salem ranks highest among Oregon cities for LGBTQ equality". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
  2. ^ Binford-Ross, Eddy. "Salem-Keizer school district has new transgender student policies. Here's what they do". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
  3. ^ "Support for transgender students in Oregon schools goes beyond Salem-Keizer". opb. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
  4. ^ Pate, Natalie. "Salem-Keizer rejects second book ban request, keeps 'Gender Queer' in local high schools". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
  5. ^ McDonald, Abbey (2024-09-19). "Salem librarians report patrons trashing, hiding LGBTQ+ books in past year". Salem Reporter. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
  6. ^ "PHOTOS: Line dancing comes to Salem's gay bar". Salem Reporter. 2024-05-16. Archived from the original on 2024-09-19. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
  7. ^ McDonald, Abbey (2024-05-13). "Queer line dancing lessons to expand vibrant Salem dance scene". Salem Reporter. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
  8. ^ Reporter, By Salem (2021-09-01). "SALEM HISTORY: How Salem went from a nine person Pride march to an annual celebration". Salem Reporter. Archived from the original on 2025-02-17. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
  9. ^ Lugo, Dianne. "Pride in the Park returns larger than ever on Saturday at Salem's Riverfront Park". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
  10. ^ Moore, Madeleine (2024-09-16). "Pride in the Park expects thousands of visitors in biggest year yet at Riverfront Park". Salem Reporter. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
  11. ^ Lugo, Dianne. "Speakers at rally to protect trans youth urge community to speak out against anti-LGBTQ rhetoric". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
  12. ^ Neri, Kevin. "St. Paul's Episcopal Church celebrates its first Pride Mass". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
  13. ^ Wyatt, Sydney. "10 LGBTQ resources in Oregon you should know about". Statesman Journal. Retrieved 2025-05-23.
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