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]
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]
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]