When Lawrence moved to Portland seven years ago, he was starting over. He had left behind a long chapter of his life in Los Angeles, a city he had called home for 25 years.

The move wasn’t just a change of scenery; it marked a new beginning in Lawrence’s decades-long journey of self-acceptance.

“I was raised Mormon in Utah,” he explains. “Very straight environment. I knew from a very early age that I was different.” For the first 35 years of his life, Lawrence tried to live within the strict expectations of his faith and community. He served a mission, married at 24, and had children, all while quietly pushing down his identity as a gay man. “They kept saying, ‘Get married, have kids, you’ll change.’ But nothing changed.”

In observance of the Thanksgiving Holiday, Quest Center will be closed: THURSDAY 11/27/25 & FRIDAY 11/28/25

In case of a mental health crisis please call:

Multnomah County Crisis Line: 503-988-4888

Washington County Crisis Line: 503-291-9111

Clackamas County Crisis Line (Riverstone): 503-655-8585

When Thredd (they/them) moved to Portland, they didn’t just want a therapist; they wanted a therapist who understood who they were. That’s when a friend referred them to Quest Center in 2017.

“It was the first time I had healthcare that was explicitly Queer,” they said. “I had recently moved to Portland and was like, oh, wow. This is amazing.”

As an organization committed to providing a comfortable and honest space in which anyone can express themselves along the spectrum of gender and sexuality, we hold this day with deep respect and care. TDOR is not only a remembrance, it is a recognition of the systemic forces that make trans lives, particularly the lives of Black, Brown, Indigenous, femme, disabled, and unhoused trans people, especially vulnerable to violence.

Learn to make Brazilian Black Beans and rice with Quest Center’s Nutrition Coordinator, Heidi!

If you’re feeling concerned about possible changes to your SNAP benefits in November, please know you’re not alone. We’ve gathered a list of resources below to help you navigate this time and stay connected to food supports in our community.

At Quest Center, we believe everyone deserves consistent, dignified access to nourishing food. While we continue our efforts to strengthen food security for our participants, we are deeply grateful for the many community partners and organizations working hard to make sure no one goes without.

Quest Center’s Community Day Fall Festival was SO MUCH FUN!!!! This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our sponsors CareOregon and Health Share of Oregon - THANK YOU 💖

🌈To our community for celebrating with us and making the day so special

We’re thrilled to announce that Quest Center has been featured in a recent Portland Business Journal article highlighting our mission-driven work expanding access to Medicaid and affirming care for LGBTQ individuals. The piece shines a light on how we’re bridging gaps in care for underserved communities and reinforcing our commitment to equity and wellness. Click below to read the full article!

Quest Center’s Nutrition team is in need of dedicated volunteers to help out with meal prep on Monday mornings and all day Tuesdays. Giving your time is a wonderful way to give back to Quest Center and our community!