Cascade Guild

Cascade Guild appears to be the first gay business group formed in Portland, specifically for those in the business world to network. Later, another group would form known as PABA [Portland Area Business Alliance] in 1992.

It appears that the Gay Business Alliance became “Cascade Guild” as they both began meeting in 1980.

In the October 1980 issue of the NW Fountain, page 10 A group of Portland-area gay businessmen have met several times throughout the summer and developed plans for a Portland Gay Business Alliance to be formed with members from the business community. Conceived roughly along the lines of other gay businessmen’s groups around the country the group would be open to members of the gay community who are professionals or who own their own business, or people who own income-producing property (commercial or residential). The group has been meeting at Wilde Oscar’s and is still in the planning stages. Anyone interested in joining such a group is invited to be the next open meeting at Oscar’s on Tuesday October 7, at 7:30 pm.

Per Pat Young’s Sept 11, 2000 draft for GLAPNtimeline “Portland realtor Don Clarkson and a few associates hold a meeting to form a gay business alliance called Cascade Guild. Clarkson expects 50 people to attend the first meeting. He is pleasantly surprised when attendance climbs to over 200. The Guild provides gays and lesbians with a chance to network in the business world.”

Below Left, Article announcing Cascade Guild, April 1981, Northwest Fountain newspaper. Below Right is the listing of ‘guild chapters’ associated with the Cascade Guild, Northwest Fountain newspaper, January 1983.

This is by no means everything on this subject, we will continue to research and update.