Every third Monday, Oaks Park hosts Gay Skate, a chance for all us queers to get a little silly and take it out on the skating floor. There's no apparent limit to the fashionable seventies attire and serious skills that queers of all shapes and sizes bring with all the enthusiasm they can muster. The oldest skating rink west of the Mississippi belts out enough Abba and George Michael to keep me feeling gay for the rest of the week.
I love Gay Skate because it gives me a chance to hang out with other queer folks without the involvement of alcohol and its bastard offspring, gay drama. All kinds of people find comfort and satisfaction in an activity that inspires childish laughter and glee. People watching is a must as rolling around on wheels seems to bring out the absolute cuteness in all of us.
Even better, Gay Skate is for a good cause! Leave it to us gays to multi-task with our enjoyable activities and do our best to help people everywhere. Proceeds benefit the
Just Out scholarship fund and canned goods are collected for Esther's Pantry. Typically, raffle tickets are on hand to benefit a softball league or a summer camp.
Portland's Gay Skate is a wholesome, family experience I would recommend to anyone, regardless of skill level or even amount of coordination. Gay Skate is yet another reason it's great to be gay!
Oaks Park Skating Rink
1 SE Spokane, Portland, OR
