GEORGE NICOLA

George Nicola is a prominent figure in Portland, Oregon, known for his extensive work in documenting and advocating for LGBTQ rights. He has been a key volunteer with the Gay and Lesbian Archives of the Pacific Northwest (GLAPN), where he has dedicated himself to capturing the untold stories of the LGBTQ movement.

Nicola’s activism dates back to the early 1970s when he came out through the Portland Gay Liberation Front, Oregon’s first gay political organization2. In 1973, he wrote and lobbied for the first Oregon bill aimed at banning discrimination based on sexual orientation, which, although it did not pass, helped build a strong foundation for future LGBTQ rights efforts in the state23.

His work has been instrumental in highlighting the progress and challenges faced by the LGBTQ community in Oregon, and he continues to be an active voice in promoting inclusion and documenting history.

BELOW, article written by George Nicola for JULY 1972 issue The Fountain, PORTLAND’S GAY PRIDE WEEK MEANING OF GAY PRIDE WEEK page 8.

September 1973 – Second Foundation’s Annual picking Sunday August 19th at McIver Park.

Various activities such as Second Foundation sponsoring a benefit at the Tom Kat Theater, a roller-skating party at the Imperial Roller Rink and right after a pajama party at the community center. Then an auction was held at Demas Tavern with Empress Darcelle as the auctioneer. By Friday night a live rock band and dance was held at the community center with Saturday and Sunday picnic. Elsa Daniels [E. D. & CO.] held a show at the Embers Sidedoor as well. It wasn’t all celebration though, Portland State University Gay People’s Alliance held the city’s first major gay picket on June 23. About 25 people marched for over an hour on the Morrison Street side of the Pioneer Post Office demanding equal rights for homosexuals. A press conference held days earlier announcing the picket and KGW carried in as part of their newscast. People from Randy Shilts, Lanny Swerdlow, Georgie Nicola all marched.  During all of this was a screening of the movie Sandy and Madeline’s Family. It was about two lesbians Madeline Issacson and Sandy Schuster from Seattle, WA and their six children. The movie had received notice in Playgirl Magazine and Time.

All of this to assist in getting Second Foundation out of the problem with the confiscated funds.