Tag Archives: lgbtq

Police seek help identifying suspects after hate crime harassment and water pellet drive-by at Capitol Hill’s Pony gay bar — UPDATE

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Police are looking for the public’s help in an hate crime investigation as detectives work to track down a group and their “distinctively modified dark blue Lexus sedan” who were reported yelling slurs and shooting water pellets at patrons outside Capitol Hill’s Pony Bar starting late Wednesday Tuesday night.

SPD says the incidents began around 11:30 PM Wednesday Tuesday as the suspects reported as “two or three young white men” were circling the 1200-block E Madison bar, yelling anti-gay slurs including “faggot” and “die faggots,” and firing gel or water pellets from a “Water Bead” air gun.

UPDATE: SPD’s bulletin to media included the incorrect day for the incident. Thanks to a CHS commenter for alerting us to the error. The incident began late Tuesday night and continued into early Wednesday, according to the commenter and CHS’s review of East Precinct radio updates. A review of radio traffic from the night also reveals that police were not called about the incident until around 12:45 AM Wednesday.

“The passengers of the car approached the bar on foot before returning to their vehicle to circle the block again,” SPD said in its bulletin. “One of the witnesses estimated the car returned about 10 times over the course of about an hour.” Continue reading →

Bright flowers, fond memories, and Nike high tops at The Wildrose celebration of Shelley Brothers

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The life, love, and hard work of Shelley Brothers was remembered Sunday on Capitol Hill.

People flowed into E Pike’s The Wildrose through the day and into the night leaving bright flowers at a growing memorial inside the neighborhood lesbian bar. Yes, there were many lovely roses.

Brothers, the longtime co-owner of the bar with Martha Manning, died Sunday, January 2nd. She was 67. CHS remembered Brothers here as a modest and tireless part of the Capitol Hill community who saw the ‘Rose’s place in the city as a safe home against the challenges of life faced by lesbian communities. “Many of our customers come from areas where there’s not any type of gay bar, much less a lesbian bar,” Brothers told CHS a decade ago. Continue reading →

Shelley Brothers, co-owner of Capitol Hill’s The Wildrose, has died

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Brothers, left, and Manning

Seattle is remembering Shelley Brothers, co-owner of Capitol Hill’s The Wildrose.

The iconic lesbian bar announced her passing Monday night:

It is with profound sadness that the Wildrose family shares the passing of our beloved Shelley, long-term family, friend, and co-owner of the Rose. She gave her life to this bar, ensuring that it remained a safe, welcoming space for generations of queer people to gather, celebrate, and find communion.

“Shelley was always there, always available, always ready with a warm smile. She was a community presence in the truest sense- fiercely dedicated, endlessly generous, and deeply loved,” the statement reads. “A pillar of Seattle’s LGBTQIA+ community, Shelley was a force. An icon. And a protector. Her impact is immeasurable, and her absence leaves a void that can never truly be filled. But her love, her kindness, and her unwavering commitment to this community will live on.” Continue reading →

Capitol Thrill shop closes on E Pike

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(Image: Capitol Thrill)

Just over three years of business is a pretty good run for a tiny retail operation. Sadly, the thrill is gone. Capitol Thrill has closed.

The E Pike boutique shuttered headed into the holiday break as owner Jeff Gonzales told customers about his planned closure citing the location’s expensive lease and spotty business.

“I want to express my deepest gratitude to all of you who have supported my little shop over the years. Your smiles, stories and support have meant the world to me and I have treasured every moment creating a safe space for queer artists, brands and community in this incredible neighborhood,” Gonzalez said. Continue reading →

Capitol Hill’s The Wildrose is turning 40

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Capitol Hill’s The Wildrose is turning 40 and the longest running lesbian bar in the United States is throwing itself a birthday party all December long:

Forty years ago, the Wildrose opened its doors- and we’re still here. Through all the challenges, and celebrations, this bar has stood as a space for you all to call home. We’re here because of you – the generations of patrons, staff, and supporters who have danced on these floors, shared their stories, and fought to keep this space alive. In a time when so many queer spaces have disappeared, we’re deeply grateful to still be here.

Shelley Brothers and Martha Manning have co-owned the ‘Rose since 2005, although both were working and drinking at the bar years before taking it over. December 30th, they will celebrate the long run on E Pike with a big bash.

Along the way, they plan to fill the month with celebrations of the Wildrose’s eras. To start, swing by for ’80s week — and a beer:

The bar opened its doors in Dec. of 1984 and only served beer and wine at the time. So come in for a cold one, we love our local beer selection! Be sure to ask for the beer on the secret menu!

The Wildrose is celebrating 40 years on Capitol Hill at 1021 E Pike throughout December. Follow @thewildrosebar for updates.

 

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Capitol Hill Community Post | 2024 Seattle Queer Film Festival

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PONYBOI

THE ASTRONAUT LOVERS

From Three Dollar Bill Cinema 

Three Dollar Bill Cinema is proud to announce the full lineup of film screenings and special events for the 29th Seattle Queer Film Festival (SQFF), taking place October 10-13 at venues on Capitol Hill and in downtown Seattle and virtual screenings October 14-20. The diverse slate of queer cinema hails from 26 countries across the globe and includes narrative features, documentaries, and short films totaling 46 programs comprised of 101 films.

In-person screenings occur at SIFF Cinema Egyptian and in three theaters concurrently at AMC Pacific Place, and most virtual screenings are available in Washington, Oregon, Idaho, and Alaska. Tickets and passes are on sale now.

The 2024 festival theme is Q-thartic. “In a time when marginalized communities are still fighting for visibility and justice, it’s vital that we uplift queer voices through the transformative power of film,” said Trent Farrington, festival director. “Our theme, Q-thartic, centers on the emotional release that cinema can provide, offering a much-needed space for healing, validation, and connection. Through stories that celebrate intersectionality, we hope to spark empathy, foster inclusivity, and embrace the complexities of queer life in all its forms.”

The Seattle Queer Film Festival will open on Thursday, October 10, at Capitol Hill’s SIFF Cinema Egyptian with PONYBOI. Produced and written by and starring River Gallo (2023 OUT 100 list, winner of GLAAD Rising Star Media Award,) PONYBOI takes place in New Jersey over Valentine’s Day. A young intersex sex worker, Ponyboi (River Gallo,) must run from the mob after a drug deal goes sideways. With the help of Bruce, a mysterious cowboy played by Murray Bartlett), Ponyboi journeys through the underbelly of New Jersey on a quest for freedom in a gripping 24 hours. Nominated for the 2024 Sundance Dramatic Grand Jury Prize, PONYBOI also stars Dylan O’Brien (star of “The Maze Runner” trilogy and the long-running TV series “Teen Wolf”), Victoria Pedretti (“Once Upon a Time…In Hollywood” and “You”), and Indya Moore (“Pose”). The film will screen at SIFF Cinema Egyptian at 7:00 PM, followed by an Opening Night party at Stoup Brewing. Continue reading →

The vandalized Broadway Pride crosswalk is rainbow bright again

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(Image: CHS)

(Image: CHS)

It took a few weeks but the Capitol Hill rainbow crosswalk at Broadway and Pine has been repaired after an end of summer vandalism attack splattered the crossing with white paint.

It was no random mistake. The rainbow Metro bus platform on 15th Ave E was also targeted with the same paint.

CHS reported here last month as the Seattle Department of Transportation said it was waiting for needed supplies to make the needed repairs.

The crosswalk at 11th and Pine, meanwhile, will remain weather worn until the next round of SDOT maintenance (Image: CHS)

Crews were busy putting on the new coat of rainbow lines over the weekend along Broadway. The Metro platform’s Pride-inspired tiles will take longer to replace.

SDOT’s work to repair the crosswalk damage comes in a rough week for the department. CHS reported here on the construction mistakes on the center platforms and all of the 25 bus shelters signed off on by SDOT on the newly opened RapidRide G line. SDOT says repairs are underway and are not currently impacting service.

RapidRide G work crews will also add another rainbow landmark to the area with the installation of new art along the bus route. The new sculpture from Seattle artist Ben Zamora has been designed to display two color gradients and will be installed at 14th and Madison before the end of the year, SDOT says.

 

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As rising rents erode queer communities across Capitol Hill and the Central District, leaders pin hope on state rent stabilization legislation

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Rep. Nicole Macri at the September affordable housing forum (Image: CHS)

Nobody in Washington rents like the queer communities living across Capitol Hill and the Central District rent. Political and community leaders say there could be new opportunities in Olympia to address the climbing rents in the city’s core causing continued displacement among the city’s LGBTQIA+ population.

Advocates and legislators met in September with the Washington Low Income Housing Alliance to discuss rent stabilization and support, where House Bill 2114— which passed in the House and died in the Senate this past year — took up much of the conversation and was the’ go-to answer when responding to community questions about how they will improve the lives of renters.

A National Low Income Housing Coalition report this summer found that workers in the Seattle and Bellevue areas would need to earn $50.87 per hour to afford a two-bedroom unit.

A recent University of Washington graduate spoke about their experiences with renting in Seattle.

“The lack of stable rents really makes me feel as if Seattle doesn’t want to support young people, especially those who are all about improving their communities and not just making a big salary,” the renter said.

“It’s likely I won’t be able to stay in Capitol Hill at a certain point due to a future rent increase.”

The challenges for renters in Seattle hit the city’s LGBTQIA+ communities especially hard. Continue reading →

RapidRide G also adding new rainbow landmark with multi-colored sculpture ‘where Capitol Hill, the Central District, and First Hill converge’

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(Image: SDOT)

RapidRide G has brought six-minute peak service, bus priority signals, and upgraded pedestrian crossings to E Madison. It will also soon add a new rainbow landmark to the neighborhood intended to “echo the surrounding architecture and reflect the diversity of the nearby communities.”

The Seattle Department of Transportation says a new public art installation is underway on the triangle wedge of concrete where Madison, 14th Ave, and Pike meet — “where Capitol Hill, the Central District, and First Hill converge.” Continue reading →

City says still working on repairs after Capitol Hill’s rainbow crosswalks and bus stop vandalism

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A rainbow crosswalk in brighter times

The 15th Ave E rainbow bus pad was still a mess as of Wednesday

The Seattle Department of Transportation says it is waiting for the right materials — and, then, the right weather — to make needed repairs after vandalism targeted Capitol Hill’s Pride rainbow crosswalks earlier this month.

“We are currently waiting for the arrival of necessary materials for the crosswalk. Once they arrive, we will assess the weather conditions to determine the best time to proceed,” a SDOT spokesperson tells CHS.

SDOT says the plan is to remove the existing crosswalks at Pine and Broadway on a Friday and Saturday night on a weekend when the work can be completed depending on the weather. Continue reading →