Philly’s William Way Center is being put on the market: here’s what it means for the queer community
1315 Spruce Street, the historic location for the William Way LGBT Community Center, will soon be listed for sale. The property was originally purchased in 1997 and served as a community hub for the LGBTQ+ community for decades. The four-story property housed an extensive library, an archive, community ballroom, gallery, and more, offering sanctuary and a place to organize and commune for Philly’s LGBTQ+ residents.
Related
Jonathan Joss’ tragic demise reminds us why Pride Month exists
Joss was a beloved member of the queer community who shaped our humor with his charismatic charm..
The center also offered programs and services in peer counseling, education, and artistic expression.
Unfortunately, the building has been experiencing issues with upkeep stemming from a renovation project in 2022, leading to rising costs in construction. An environmental assessment discovered the presence of mold. On top of this, the center’s current executive director, Chris Bartlett, recently resigned, making June his last month with the organization.
Culture, unfiltered
Twice a week, our newsletter will bring you the pulse of queer culture, from the tastemakers to the groundbreakers.
Subscribe to our Newsletter today
Many people within the LGBTQ+ community are finding that hubs for our community are growing more scarce, and with more of these locations closing, the sentiment begins to feel as though we have less of a space in society. That’s heartbreaking, especially at a time like this.
I can only hope that William Way can find a new permanent location able to accommodate their needs, though it would still be bittersweet to let go of the old building.
Finding queer spaces offering sanctuary is especially rare and as a transgender woman, I can attest to that with a personal anecdote.
CW// SA and Drugging
If you’re from the Seattle area, you probably know about a bar in Capitol Hill where transgender people congregate every Tuesday. Recently, it was revealed that a prominent patron had been drugging people’s drinks. The person who was doing this wasn’t banned, and the people informing the management staff at the bar threatened to ban them simply for bringing it up.
The whole situation is extremely messy, and it attests to the dangers and risks that trans people face as a minority in society. This bar served as Seattle’s one real public space for specifically transgender people, and the people in charge know this, and most of us have to face a choice of having community at the expense of being at a greater risk for sexual assault.
It is, unfortunately, still all too common for predatory behavior to be enabled at the expense of the greater community, but it shouldn’t be. No one deserves to be drugged and assaulted for wanting to feel safe and accepted. The reasons why I support movements like reclaiming Compton’s Cafeteria are that we need safe spaces for everyone, not just the LGBTQ+ community, but for any group that’s disadvantaged in society and at a greater risk of experiencing violence or poverty.
Sign up for the Single Sparkle newsletter and get your twice-weekly dose of stories that shape the queer experience, culture, and lifestyle.
Post a Comment