The Marie Equi Center

The Marie Equi Center, located in Portland, Oregon, is a groundbreaking health and advocacy organization designed to meet the complex and intersecting needs of LGBTQIA2S+ individuals, particularly those who are unhoused, low-income, or otherwise marginalized. Named in honor of Dr. Marie Equi, a pioneering queer physician and activist, the center blends culturally affirming, trauma-informed care with peer-based recovery and community empowerment. The facility offers a diverse range of services including peer support, harm reduction education, housing advocacy, case management, and systems navigation. Certified Recovery Mentors, trained Community Health Workers, and a dedicated team of peers provide person-centered care rooted in lived experience and community trust.

Beyond traditional support services, The Marie Equi Center operates with a radical philosophy that challenges systemic barriers to health and well-being. Their programs are built around the tenets of Belonging, Dignity, and Justice (BDJ), rejecting one-size-fits-all approaches and instead prioritizing liberation-focused frameworks. The center offers skill-sharing workshops, mail and computer access, and seasonal shelter—all intentionally designed to be accessible and inclusive of neurodivergent and disabled guests. As Portland’s first dedicated Trans and Queer Supportive Services Center, The Marie Equi Center provides a uniquely welcoming environment for individuals navigating substance use, systemic trauma, and identity-based discrimination. This space is not only a place of healing but a hub for advocacy, empowerment, and community-led change.