LGBTQ+ Resources

Community Resources

PFLAG

Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays is a national organization with a chapter for Linn and Benton counties. Their priorities include creating a safe and welcoming environment for the LGBTQ+ community and increasing awareness about the importance of support. They usually meet once a month. For more information, visit http://www.jam-assoc.com/ pflag/.

Out N’ About

Out N’ About is a local youth group for the LGBTQ+ community serving Corvallis and the surrounding cities. The group recently went on a campaign to make the group a national model and help lay groundwork for groups around the country. As a group, they emphasize community for youth through movie nights, game nights, guest speakers, and more. They usually meet weekly. For more information, contact cwhitlow7@gmail.com.

Basic Rights Oregon

Basic Rights Oregon, headquartered in Portland, is a nonprofit organization focusing on policy advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights, including racial, transgender, and youth justice in the community. Their website contains many resources like FAQs for transgender rights, how to get LGBTQ legal help, advice for navigating the health system, and adoption information.

Oregon State University Resources

The Pride Center

The Pride Center is a program for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, intersex, asexual, and the ally community. While primarily a resource for Oregon State University students, their doors are open to all community members. They provide a safe space on campus, and organize events such as Queer History Month, National Coming Out Day, Pride Week, and Lavender Graduation for the LGBT community.

Rainbow Continuum

Rainbow Continuum is a group for the queer community and allies to meet on the OSU campus once a week. A meeting typically consists of games and discussion; it provides a general space to socialize and meet other community members. For more information on involvement, refer to the OSU Pride Center.

SOL

SOL is a support group for people of color in the LGBTQ+ community. They are housed in the Pride Center, and host events such as Queer and Trans People of Color (QTPOC) Study Buddies, and Kickbacks throughout the term while providing a safe space for people of color.

Gender-Inclusive Bathroom Locator

OSU offers a resource map on its website that makes it easy to find gender-neutral bathrooms located around campus: http://experience.oregonstate. edu/resources-map.

LBCC

Gender & Sexuality Alliance

Linn-Benton Community College has a Gender & Sexuality Alliance group on its campus. It’s open to students, faculty, staff, and alumni. The group meets once a week on campus to provide community to those interested. LBCC also has five gender-inclusive bathrooms located on campus.

Events

Rainbow in the Clouds

Rainbow in the Clouds is a queer dance party held the first Friday of every month at Cloud & Kelly’s Public House. Organizers switch up the theme every month, usually in line with upcoming holidays. The next RITC is on Feb. 3; the theme is Heartbreak Hotel. Proceeds from this event typically support community resources like Out N’ About, or more recently, the Sacred Stone Camp at Standing Rock. This is a 21+ event.

Dam Right Drag Night

Corvallis’ newest queer event just had their inaugural event, and it was quite the rager. On the third Friday of every month, local arcade bar The Dam hosts a gay-mer night and drag show featuring performers from around the Willamette Valley. The gay-mer portion of the night is open to all ages, while the drag show portion is restricted to 21+.

Corvallis Queer Film Festival

Once annually, the Darkside Theatre hosts the Corvallis Queer Film Festival, this year curated by Oregon State University professor Juan Trujillo. The four-night event is meant to celebrate global queer culture and identity through film. This year’s festival takes place from Wednesday, Feb. 22 through Saturday, Feb. 25.

Alt Prom

Every Spring, Out N’ About sponsors an Alternative Prom for youth under 18 in Linn and Benton counties. It’s an event truly run by and for high school students. Last year’s prom featured a DJ and drag show. Contact Out N’ About for more information on this year’s event.

Facebook Groups

If you’re looking to stay in touch with the queer community, Facebook groups are a good way to keep up on events and issues around town. Here are a few to get you started:

• Corvallis Rainbow Network

https://www.facebook.com/ groups/250492025077411/

• PRIDE Corvallis

https://www.facebook.com/ PrideCorvallis/

• OSU Pride Center

https://www.facebook.com/ OSUPrideCenter/

By Regina Pieracci