LGBTQ Community Events in Oregon

OutLaw represents the heart of LGBTQ+ community at Lewis & Clark College's law school in Portland, Oregon, creating an inclusive space where law students can authentically be themselves while pursuing legal education. Founded on principles of solidarity and intersectional awareness, OutLaw welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning law students and allies who are committed to building community and supporting one another through the challenges of legal education. The organization's mission extends beyond social connection to meaningful advocacy and education. OutLaw brings pertinent legal and political issues affecting the LGBTQ+ community directly to the law school campus, ensuring these voices and concerns are heard and addressed within legal education. The group recognizes that LGBTQ+ law students often navigate unique challenges, and OutLaw provides both emotional support and practical resources to help members thrive academically and personally. What sets OutLaw apart is its explicit commitment to intersectionality and coalition-building. The organization acknowledges that members hold multiple, interconnected identities and may experience different forms of oppression based on race, gender, ability, and other factors. Rather than operating in isolation, OutLaw actively builds understanding and partnerships with other student affinity groups, recognizing that collective strength comes from solidarity across communities. The organization maintains thoughtful community guidelines designed to create and maintain a genuinely safe space where all members feel respected and valued. With experienced board members serving as mentors and advocates, OutLaw provides law students in Portland with both immediate community support and long-term professional relationships that extend beyond law school.

OUTLaws represents the University of Oregon School of Law's dedication to building an inclusive learning environment where LGBTQ+ law students can thrive personally and professionally. Based in Eugene, Oregon, this student organization embodies the law school's broader commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion as essential components of its educational mission and values. The organization exists as part of Oregon Law's strategic approach to fostering a more inclusive community for all students, faculty, and staff. By providing a supportive space for LGBTQ+ law students, OUTLaws helps ensure that every member has the resources and opportunities to succeed in legal education and the legal profession. The organization contributes to the law school's vision of training legal professionals who understand and address the complexities of serving a diverse society. Oregon Law's commitment to inclusion extends across its two locations: the historic Eugene campus and the Portland Third-Year Program, which serves students seeking specialized coursework and mentorship from prominent legal practitioners. OUTLaws members benefit from this comprehensive support network and the law school's strong connections to the broader legal community throughout Oregon. Founded in 1884, Oregon Law has a long history of pioneering legal education and maintaining high standards of excellence. Today, the law school continues this legacy by actively strengthening its efforts around diversity and equity, recognizing that a thriving legal profession requires diverse perspectives and inclusive institutions. OUTLaws plays an important role in this ongoing commitment, creating opportunities for LGBTQ+ law students to connect with peers, access mentorship, and contribute their voices to the future of law and justice in Oregon and beyond.

OGALLA—The LGBT Bar Association of Oregon—represents a historic commitment to supporting sexual minorities and gender non-conforming individuals within the legal profession. Founded in January 1991 and headquartered in Portland, Oregon, OGALLA has spent over three decades building a vibrant community of LGBTQIA2S lawyers, judges, legal workers, law students, and allies united by shared values of justice and equity. At its heart, OGALLA is driven by a mission to create a legal system that is more just, equitable, and reflective of the communities it serves. The organization recognizes that diversity within the legal profession strengthens the pursuit of fair treatment for all people. By fostering a spirit of unity while celebrating the diversity within the LGBTQIA community, OGALLA creates meaningful spaces where legal professionals can forge deeper connections, support one another's advancement, and collaborate on systemic change. What sets OGALLA apart is its holistic approach to member support—combining professional development opportunities with social connection and community building. Members throughout Oregon benefit from a network of peers who understand both the professional challenges and lived experiences of LGBTQIA legal professionals. Through OGALLA's work, the organization ensures that LGBTQIA voices are heard in legal reform efforts, that discrimination is challenged within the profession, and that the next generation of diverse legal talent is nurtured and celebrated.