The Stairs Down & Portland Youth Alliance 

615 SE Alder Portland, Oregon 233-2256

Years: December 1973- October 1974

When the Portland Gay Community Center located at the Pythian Building closed various parts of the organization moved over to the Eastside Commercial Building per Northwest Gay Review February 1974 see Below Left and in the same newspaper, another article appears about the “Capital Failure” of the Community Center see Below Right. The two groups The Stairs Down which was the Coffee Shop and The Portland Youth Organization were the ones running it and ran their operations out of it.

In the May 1974 issue of the Northwest Gay Review page 12 – Dance Dance Dance Portland The Portland Youth Associaton

Portland Youth Alliance  [615 S.E. Alder]  was at the same location. The group was formerly known as part of the Second Foundation which originally was at the two gay community centers. It appears the group was formed when the first community center opened in May 1971 and called the Second Foundation Youth Organization but per Page 8 – February 1974 Northwest Gay Review the youth organization split from Second Foundation and moved to the east side of the river. Grand opening of the space was held on January 26, 1974, with a “Night of Comedy 1974.

o   Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1976 under Bars/Clubs with notation YC – Young/Collegiate Types, D – Dancing – C- Coffee, Soft Drinks, Juices, Snacks, 

o   Not listed   in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1977 or thereafter

 Note, that the Portland Youth Alliance was at the same location, “The Stairs Down Drop-in Center Counseling Center, Social Services, Rental Spaces” per ad in Northwest Gay Review May 1974 and on page 14 - May 1974 – Northwest Gay Review page 12 – Dance Dance Dance Portland The Portland Youth Associaton; Society News page 14 – Portland Youth Alliance will be sponsoring a Pool Tournament on May 18. The tournament will take place at 10 p.m. at The Stairs Down 615 SE Alder Street. The first prize is a $25 cash award and the second prize is a $15 cash award. No pool hustlers allowed.

Per an ad in  Northwest Gay Review May 1974 citing “The Stairs Down Drop-in Center Counseling Center, Social Services, Rental Spaces” for Portland Youth Alliance and an article “Better Here” Society News page 14. An article appeared in The Northwest Gay Review about some alcohol issues during the Christmas Party as reported in May 1974 issue see Below Left. An ad in the Northwest Gay Review May 1974 issue.

Far Left ad in May 1974 Northwest Gay Review for Portland Youth Alliance. Below is an article in the October 1974, page 13 issue of the Northwest Gay Review announces the closing of the youth center.

citations & references:

·  “Portland’s only Youth Nite Club” Advertised in Northwest Gay Review May 1974.

·  Per the book A Curious and Peculiar People by David Grant Kohl, page 402, “Stairs Down Coffee House”– 1973-5

·  Per paper called Chronology of Portland’s Gay Bars – author unknown, “1974 gay teen club.”

·  Listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1976 under Bars/Clubs with notation YC – Young/Collegiate Types, D – Dancing – C- Coffee, Soft Drinks, Juices, Snacks, 

· Not listed in Damron Address Book/Address Guide 1977 or thereafter