Blog

Welcome to the Spotlight, where we celebrate the inspiring individuals shaping Portland's vibrant lesbian and queer community. We’re excited to introduce Carrie Ritchie, the dynamic founder of the Lesbian Culture Club. With deep roots in the Northwest and a passion for fostering connections, Carrie has made significant contributions to both the professional and LGBTQ+ communities. From her early days in film production to her current role as CEO of Good & Gold, Carrie's journey is a testament to the power of representation, inclusivity, and unwavering commitment to creating spaces where everyone feels seen and valued. Join us as we dive...

I'm Carrie, the founder of the Lesbian Culture Club (LCC), and I'm thrilled to welcome you to our new space! As a long-time Portlander and CEO of Good & Gold, I'm passionate about creating connections and fostering a vibrant community for the contemporary lesbian and queer community, welcoming all who identify with and find value in that. 

There’s a small bar nestled on an unassuming stretch of Portland’s Northeast Broadway that’s become a home for me and an unexpected goldmine for its owner, Jenny Nguyen. Funded by a Kickstarter, The Sports Bra shows exclusively women’s sports, and it made the news last month when Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian—husband to Serena Williams—announced he was backing a vision to expand the concept nationally and potentially internationally. 

In launching the Lesbian Culture Club, I knew that, despite my best efforts to get the messaging right on our site, the topic of inclusion would be a necessary conversation. On our site, I say, “We are a space/collective for the contemporary lesbian community, welcoming all who identify with and find value in that.” What I mean is, you may not identify as a lesbian, but you may have before, you may be partnered with someone who does, or you may feel that this community resonates with you in some other way. I position the wording this way to ensure...