Slog - Comments on Seattle's LGBT Center Is Going, But Not For Good

Comment by Sargon Bighorn

Sargon Bighorn — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:13:30 -0800

The Center moved away from its core mission when they put on a Pride Parade and Festival. They have learned that sticking to the core mission is the course of wisedom.

Comment by genevieve

genevieve — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:19:50 -0800

But have they really learned it?

Comment by UNPAID BLOGGER

UNPAID BLOGGER — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:27:58 -0800

Fucking hell, what is up with Gays and money issues? I always thought the image of a queen running her credit cards to the max was an exaggeration. Now... I'm thinking it's spot on.

(Better that than the alternative, which is that we're all a bunch of materialistic, self-centered bastards.)

Comment by The Ghost of Dead Non-Profits

The Ghost of Dead Non-Profits — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:28:53 -0800

Sticking to your core mission and learning how to write grants and raise funds and treating a non-profit BUSINESS as a business which needs to grow at a healthy rate, would be the ideal way to go.

Also, having a board of at least 15 experienced successful people that have some connections and power in the community might be a good idea, too.

Comment by Dan Savage

Dan Savage — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:30:00 -0800

Uh... remember during last year's dust up over the pride parade, the George Bacon brigade pointed to SOAP's financial problems as proof that the professionals at the gay community center should be allowed to run the pride parade on the hill, where God intended pride parades to be?

So much for that.

Comment by Rumer Willis

Rumer Willis — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:33:10 -0800

that shiz i heard is that their moving to First Hill in some building with other lgbt groups and it wont be a public space, just offices.

who the fuck goes to first hill unless their sick?1!

weak

Comment by Dan Savage

Dan Savage — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:35:08 -0800

But they can't leave Capitol Hill. That would be a betrayal of the whole gay community -- or so the Center, circa 2006-2007, would have had us believe.

Comment by tomasyalba

tomasyalba — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:35:57 -0800

"Bacon brigade" - perfect!

Comment by genevieve

genevieve — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:37:39 -0800

@7 - snap!

Comment by zippy

zippy — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:40:23 -0800

are they tearing that building down?

Comment by michael strangeways

michael strangeways — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:42:50 -0800

No. The owner, Anne, wants it back for her own use.

also, I don't see anything on Slog about the Satellite...I think they've lost their liquor license. They were closed last night.

Comment by NapoleonXIV

NapoleonXIV — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:52:47 -0800

If they're selling their office furniture, they're not coming back.

Comment by Gay Seattle

Gay Seattle — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:05:41 -0800

OK, maybe this is a stupid question but does this mean QueerFest in Volunteer Park will not be back or is it going to be taken over by another group? What about "March on Broadway" was that directed/funded by Capitol Hill businesses or was that totally a LGBT Center thing? PrideFest at Seattle Center will be two days this year June 28-29.

Comment by michael strangeways

michael strangeways — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:13:09 -0800

#12 They're keeping the beanbag chairs and macrame art.

Comment by michael strangeways

michael strangeways — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 13:20:23 -0800

Queerfest is being co-opted by Block Party...the official name will be:

"The Stranger Presents the E-Surance Capitol Hill Queer Block Partyfest"

The hosts will be Aleksa Manilla, Mark "mom" Finley, and David Cross with very special musical guests Presidents of the United States of America, Scissor Sisters and the Shannon Thomas Memorial Jug Band. Ticket prices to be announced.

Comment by Gitai

Gitai — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 14:29:37 -0800

Good riddance. Now let's see if anyone notices a fucking difference.

Comment by michael strangeways

michael strangeways — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:12:47 -0800

hmmmm....yes, there are a great many people that will notice the difference. Just because YOU didn't use the Center, doesn't mean it wasn't used by a great many people, who will miss it and the services it offered. I don't USE the services offered by Planned Parenthood but I'm mature enough and intelligent enought to realize that a great many other people do NEED and USE their services, and I would be respectful enough to be upset if they were forced to close.

Or I would have the sense to keep my damn fool mouth shut.

Comment by Gitai

Gitai — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 15:53:10 -0800

@17 Well, you're right. People will notice a difference. Community dollars won't be wasted on a competing Pride event. There won't be the ongoing resentment and animosity that "Queerfest" engenders on an annual basis. Oh, and if they can lie to an interviewer and fake having any level of competence, people might see the directors as shiny new baristas somewhere.

Comment by genevieve

genevieve — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:12:36 -0800

@11 - darn, I was hoping that Velocity might be able to relocate there (the building has always looked like a great spot for a dance studio to me). I'm glad Anne isn't selling it though.

Comment by michael strangeways

michael strangeways — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:29:52 -0800

#18The Center wasn't there to put on Queerfest. Queerfest was the abomination that helped lead to the demise of the Center, but it was NOT the raison d'etre of the Center.

#19 What I heard was, Anne wants to expand her Property Management business and some fabric business of hers into the space. I don't think she'd sell it anyway, and if she tried to now, it wouldn't fetch that much. The lots on either side have just been developed and the lot itself is probably too small for any developer to fool with...But you're right; it would make a sweet arts space.

Comment by Gay Seattle

Gay Seattle — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 16:51:37 -0800

Michael, I am curious as to what services will be missed the most. I know some of he LGBT folks using the computers were uncomfortable using computers at home or at the library to look up gay stuff but what are some of the biggest loses and can those be performed in office space on First Hill?