The Portland Lesbian Choir was born in 1986 when one woman posted a sign at a women's gathering stating 'Lesbian Sing'. This started a flurry of activity.

In the spring of 1987 we performed at International Women's Day, which has become an annual tradition, along with singing at Portland’s Gay Pride celebration.

We also performed a joint concert with the Portland Gay Men’s Chorus (PGMC), which we all enjoyed so much, we did it again several times. Other joint concerts have included the Bridges Vocal Ensemble, Rose City Gay Freedom Band, and guest artists including the Canberra (Australia) Gay and Lesbian Qwire.

PLC went to GALA Festival III in Seattle in July 1989. Our first GALA, a festival where gay and lesbian choruses from all over the world sing to each other, infused us with pride and spirit and propelled us into a new spirit of growth.

In August 1990 the Choir participated in the Gay Games and Celebration 90 Festival Chorus in Vancouver, BC.

In 1992 we sang at GALA IV in Denver and received a huge standing ovation.

Oregon tours in 1992 and 1994 responded to ballot measures that tried to write restrictions of the rights of gay people into Oregon's constitution. Benefit concerts supported local AIDS organizations and gay and lesbian organizations in Astoria, Klamath Falls, Coos Bay, Springfield, Medford and Newport.

In 1996 we went to GALA V in Tampa, Florida. In July of 1996, we presented our first commissioned work “Dream of Tomorrow.” During the 1996-97 tenth anniversary season, we responded to many requests for a CD, and recorded Making Light.

The 1999-2000 season was a Magical Journey with new concepts in how we do concerts. We did a coffeehouse in December featuring local artists, and a full concert in April that featured local opera star Diane Syrcle.

We participated in GALA’s Festival 2000 in San Jose, CA. In July 2000 we were once again guests of PGMC, along with Bridges, a local preview of our GALA 2000 performance.

In 2001 we celebrated our 15th anniversary with "A Musical Scrapbook" at the historic Hollywood Theater.

The choir has also traveled to Seattle, WA and San Diego, CA.