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LGBTQ+ Friendly Travel Itinerary: 48 Hours in Portland, Maine
Spend the Weekend in Portland, Maine’s Vibrant and Welcoming Community
2 Days of Amusement LGBTQ+ Friendly Activities and Events in Coastal Maine
Portland, Maine—a city that just loves love. From local traditions like the Valentine’s Day Bandit posting sheet hearts all around town to the new Hearts of Pine soccer team, our coastal gem wears its heart on its sleeve. Greater Portland’s vibrant queer community is more than welcomed and accepted—it’s woven into the fabric of the region. Portland’s recognition as one of America’s friendliest destinations for LGBTQ+ travelers has earned top spots in lists like “7 Underrated But Colorful Pride Parades To Attend In 2024” by The Travel.
Consistently featured in travel publications and acknowledged by influential LGBTQ+ voices, Portland blends historic charm with progressive energy, colorful rainbow crosswalks come together alongside cobblestone streets in the seaside, Old Port. Supportive local businesses and high-energy cultural vibes place a backdrop of kingly brunches, queer nightlife, and inclusive festivities. Portland warmly welcomes ev
Super Progressive, Portland, Maine, Only Has One Gay Bar
What happened to all the gay bars in Portland, Maine?
Portland, Maine, is a pretty progressive city and LGBTQ+ friendly. It's estimatedthat nearly 5% of Maine's population identifies as LGBTQ, and some estimates place Portland's population at over 5%. And only one gay bar? Yup.
What is Portland, Maine's only lgbtq+ bar?
Cocktail Mary was a place where gays could hang out and possess a good time, but according to the Portland Press Herald, they closed their doors for great at the end of January. The Press Herald spoke to Demetri Kirchberg, who described Cocktail Mary
Cocktail Mary has been a place of free expression — of queer joy to the nth degree, an oasis in hard times.
With that closing, one of the original gay bars in Portland is the only one that remains: Blackstoneson Pine Street in Portland, Maine's West End.
READ MORE: New England City Ranked #1 Best and Cheapest for LGBTQ Homebuyers
How has Blackstones survived as Portland, Maine's only gay bar?
It hasn't been easy. Having any business in Portland, Maine, for nearly 40 years is no petty feat. Let alon
Portland, Maine, Only Has 2 Gay Bars – Here’s Why We Might Not See Another One
It seems that under a decade ago, the LGBTQ community had several bars to call their own in Portland, Maine, but is now down to two.
That would be Blackstone's, Portland's oldest gay lock, and a newer establishment, Cocktail Mary.
With Portland being the progressive, gay-friendly city that it is, it makes you wonder what happened? And will there be another one?
The answer to both of those questions isn’t truly known, but with changing times and progression toward acceptance of all sexual preferences and identities, it can’t be ruled out that everyone just started blending in as one community.
The LGBTQ community getting together at a local brewery, dive bar, or pub has become the norm, especially over the last decade.
Most of the members of the community that I've spoken with enjoy Blackstone's and Cocktail Mary, but are missing the often traditional dance floor. However, in order for that to happen, a much larger establishment would require to open, which also comes with higher expenses along with the uncertainty of being a victorious business.
Portland LGBTQ City Guide
Portland is a beautiful old seacoast town known for its boutiques, shops and unbelievable seafood, as well as for its friendly people, its diversity, and all that it offers to see and do. It has always been a busy seaport for both cargo and fishing, but it is also a very popular tourist destination, particularly in the summer. People flock to the town to enjoy the shopping and nearby beaches, and to soak in Portland’s unique coastal beauty. Truly, it is a beautiful city that would make a wonderful place to call home!
A See at Portland’s History
Portland was initially founded in 1786 when the citizens of nearby Falmouth formed a separate town and named it Portland. Prior to that, Portland had been home to the Algonquin native American people. Since its founding, the city has grown steadily as an important port, and also as a city rich and industry, agriculture, culture, and diversity. It remains so to this day.
A Few Entertaining Facts About Portland
- Roughly 40 percent of all Maine residents live in the greater Portland area.
- There is no transatlantic port in the United States which is closer to Europe than Portland. Portland is also the 20
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