OUT Central Oregon promotes inclusivity and visibility for LGBTQ+ people and our allies by enabling community engagement within the social, cultural, and economic landscape of Central Oregon. By developing and building partnerships with businesses, government agencies, and other organizations, we promote and support the well-being of the LGBTQ+ community and our allies.
The LGBTQ+ community is growing and thriving in Central Oregon, in many ways due to the foundational work of OUT Central Oregon of visibly bringing the community together in a supportive, cooperative, innovative, and safe way. In less than 5 years, OUT Central Oregon has become the premier information and resource hub for the LGBTQ+ community, helping to establish Central Oregon as welcoming and fostering a vibrant LGBTQ+ culture and community.
In the past 5 years, OUT Central Oregon has been building the LGBTQ+ community through multiple events, programs, and initiatives, a selection of which includes:
• Created and produced Winter PrideFest, the only multi-day and multi-event celebration of inclusivity in the outdoors in the PNW, with approximately 1,200 attendees in 2022
• Partnered with Mt. Bachelor to provide SKI OR RIDE IN 5 scholarships to approximately 20 youth
• Created and produced the Bend Pride 5k Fun Run/Walk, with approximately 500 participants
• Produced the most successful Central Oregon Pride celebration in Drake Park in 2022, with approximately 100 vendor booths, 5,000+ attendees, and local musical/performance talent
• Partnered with Deschutes County Health for over 4 years to bring easy access to HIV/STI testing and information services to the community
• Our on-going partnership with BendFilm (called ‘OUT in Focus’) continues to bring LGBTQ+-related films and filmmakers to Central Oregon
• Our partnerships with The Peaceful Presence Project, COCC, SriPonya, and others bring additional relevant film screenings and discussions to the community at large
• Partnered with Bend Park and Recreation District to produce the first Pride Roller-skating event with over 650 attendees, half of whom were youth
• Distributed over 70,000 YOU ARE WELCOME HERE progress pride flag stickers to individuals, businesses, school districts, and cities/towns at no cost
• Supported numerous local LGBTQ+ arts, culture, and outdoor organizations and their initiatives through paid promotion and social media outreach
• In 2022 alone, we donated over $15,000 to other local LGBTQ+ organizations to support their efforts at building inclusivity in Central Oregon
• We serve as a hub for information relating to LGBTQ+ events and happenings in Central Oregon
Your donation will:
• Expand Winter PrideFest to include a Queer Film Festival in 2023
• Support additional SKI OR RIDE IN 5 scholarships to youth to help overcome any financial barriers in learning to ski or board
• Allow us to develop programming in arts, culture, and STEM to LGBTQ+ youth in partnership with local schools
• Continue our YOU ARE WELCOME HERE sticker program
