In this guide · 3 sections
Bangor, Maine. Stephen King's hometown. A place you pass through on the way to Acadia National Park. Its LGBTQ+ scene isn't big, but the city's open-minded. Maine was one of the first states to legalize same-sex marriage by popular vote, after all.
LGBTQ+ Spaces
- Paddy Murphy's is a downtown bar. It's known for being gay-friendly and draws a good mixed crowd.
- The Warm Body Collective is an arts space. They put on queer events, drag shows, and other LGBTQ+ programming. Check their calendar to see what's on.
Community & Events
Bangor Pride happens in the summer. It's a march and festival, driven by the LGBTQ+ community at the University of Maine. Equality Maine, a big LGBTQ+ advocacy group, is based in the state and has a local presence. The Bangor Public Library runs LGBTQ+ programs and has a solid collection of queer books.
Regional Context
Portland, Maine (not Oregon) is the regional center. It's 1.5 hours south and has a much bigger LGBTQ+ scene: dedicated gay bars, events, and community organizations. If you're in the area, Portland's worth the drive. Bar Harbor, on Mount Desert Island, is 1.5 hours east of Bangor. It's gay-friendly for tourists in summer, especially near Acadia.
