A PRIDE SEASON ART EXHIBIT AT UNION SEATTLE
Steps
to the
Future
exhibit
June 15 to Septemtber 15
Steps to the Future is a Pride season exhibit honoring three powerful milestones in Seattle LGBTQ+ history, from the cabaret stages of the 1940s, to Pride marching down Broadway, to the beloved bars that helped shape community life on Capitol Hill.
This summer, Come Out Seattle and Union Seattle present Steps to the Future, a Pride season exhibit celebrating the people, places, and milestones that helped shape Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community. On view at Union Seattle from June 15 through September 15, 2026, the exhibit looks back across 80, 40, and 20 years of local queer history, from The Garden of Allah to Pride on Broadway to the final last call at Thumper’s.
80 Years Ago
The Garden of Allah Opens
In 1946, The Garden of Allah opened beneath the Arlington Hotel near Post Alley and Seneca, becoming one of Seattle’s most important early gay-owned gathering places.
Known for vaudeville, burlesque, variety shows, and female impersonation,
The Garden welcomed gay men, lesbians, straight patrons, tourists, and performers into a space that became both entertainment venue and chosen family.
40 Years Ago
Pride Moves Down Broadway
In 1986, Seattle’s Gay and Lesbian Freedom Day Pride March, Parade and Rally filled Broadway with visibility, celebration, and community pride.
The Capitol Hill route became a defining part of Seattle Pride history, connecting the march to the neighborhood that had become a center of LGBTQ+ life, gathering, nightlife, and activism.
20 Years Ago
Thumper’s Takes Its Final Bow
In 2006, Thumper’s Restaurant & Bar announced its final last call after 21 years as one of Capitol Hill’s legendary gay bars.
Known for its piano-bar atmosphere, large windows, fireplace, and loyal community, Thumper’s represented a kind of neighborhood gathering place that helped define Seattle’s gay nightlife before redevelopment and changing social patterns reshaped the Hill.
Limited-Edition Shelly’s Leg 50th Anniversary T-Shirt
FUNDRAISER: All proceeds benefit Come Out Seattle.
Just in time for the holidays, Come Out Seattle is proud to release a Limited-Edition T-Shirt commemorating Shelly’s Leg, Seattle’s very first gay disco (1973–1978).
On December 4, 1975, a fire destroyed the legendary club — and miraculously, no one was injured. Fifty years later, we’re honoring that moment in our city’s LGBTQ+ history with a special anniversary shirt created as a fundraiser for the Come Out Seattle history project.
Every dollar supports our work to preserve and share Seattle’s LGBTQ stories.
Preserving Pride
Exploring Our History
Come Out Seattle is dedicated to documenting, exploring, and preserving the dynamic LGBTQ+ history of our city, including community spaces such as bars, taverns, and social organizations.
Our aim is to ensure that our stories and history are not merely preserved but also celebrated, with personal narratives and memories, archived news stories/ads, and images playing a pivotal role in weaving this vibrant tapestry!
To kick off this initiative, The Seattle Gay Bar History Project will delve into the history of LGBTQ+ bars and taverns in Seattle, creating an archive of pictures and stories using an interactive map.
Share Your Memories: A Call for Image and Story Submissions
We invite you to be a part of preserving and celebrating the rich and vibrant history of LGBTQ+ bars and taverns in Seattle by sharing your memories and visuals. Together, we aim to create a comprehensive collection that honors the legacy and significance of these spaces in our community.
Send us your stories and images. Whether you've got a collection of vintage photos, memories of unforgettable nights, or stories about the resilient individuals who shaped Seattle's historic gay bars, help us document this vital aspect of LGBTQ+ history.
Use the portal below or email us directly at: history@comeoutseattle.org
We look forward to hearing from you!
Please Send Us Your Pictures and Memories
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Please fill out the information below, and note that contact information is optional and you may submit anonymously.
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Please ensure that all image formats are either a PNG or JPEG and less than 10 MB each
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Please ensure that the image file name contains the name of the bar or tavern.
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You may upload up to 5 images per submission, multiple submissions welcome!
- You may also email your information and images directly to: history@comeoutseattle.org
Images have been uploaded when you see a check mark.
Please note that all content on this website, including text, graphics, logos, and images are the property of Come Out Seattle and is protected by copyright and intellectual property laws. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, or otherwise use any content without our express written permission. For our full Terms of Use, please click HERE
Why Participate?
Preserve History: Ensure that the stories and images of our community's past are documented for generations to come.
Celebrate Diversity: Share the diverse experiences that make up the fabric of Seattle's LGBTQ+ history.
Honor the Trailblazers: Pay tribute to the individuals who bravely created safe spaces for our community.
Let's come together to weave a narrative that reflects the beauty, resilience, and joy of our LGBTQ+ community.
Your contribution matters!