Capitol hill gay
Seattle welcomes everyone in a city that is safe and friendly to all.
Just east of downtown, the Capitol Hill neighborhood has extended been the city’s gay epicenter, with rainbow-painted crosswalks and many ways to dive into the LGBTQIA+ scene. Aside from Capitol Hill, there are gay-friendly and gay-owned establishments just about everywhere in town. Summer features two annual Pride festivals, while the Seattle Men’s Chorus and Seattle Women’s Chorus are the largest LGBTQIA-identified men’s and women’s choruses in the world. It’s beautiful clear that in Seattle, we accept pride in everybody.
LGBTQ+ RESOURCES
Seattle has one of the largest percentage of gay, lesbian or bisexual residents among large cities in the U.S. The LGBTQ+ community here is strong, cohesive and offers a wide range of resources for group members and visiting community members. Here’s a selection.
BiNet Seattle
A bisexual non-profit, mixed gender, social and support organization created to foster a visible community for bisexual, bi-curious people, and their partners in the Puget Sound area. We support the group through educational speakings, support groups and social events.
Equal Rig
Moving to LGBTQ Capitol Hill in Seattle offers a unique chance to immerse yourself in one of the most vibrant and welcoming LGBTQ+ communities in the country. This neighborhood, renowned as the city’s gay epicenter, is a kaleidoscope of diversity, inclusivity, and lively energy.
For those considering a move to Seattle, moving to Gay Capitol Hill means becoming part of a neighborhood where rainbow-colored crosswalks symbolize the area’s commitment to celebrating and supporting its LGBTQ+ residents.
Capitol Hill’s heart beats strongest along the bustling Pike-Pine corridor, a stretch of road that encapsulates the spirit of the neighborhood. Here, you’ll discover an engaging mix of LGBTQ-owned businesses, community organizations, and cultural hotspots.
Each of these contributes to the unique individuality of Capitol Hill, making it an ideal destination for anyone looking to become part of a supportive and diverse group. Moving to LGBTQ Capitol Hill is not just about evidence a new home; it’s about immersing yourself in a collective that values and celebrates diversity. […]
More recent LGBTQIA+ history is rooted in 1969’s Stonewall uprising which sparked a movement, but what’s known about Seattle’s queer history dates back to the late 1800s when downtown Seattle’s Pioneer Square neighborhood – known also as “TheTenderloin,” “Skid Row,” and “Fairyville” – was more welcoming to the burgeoning gay community than the surrounding area, and it saw establishments catering to them flourish.
Here is a historical timeline of some vital LGBTQIA+ milestones in Seattle, as the march for same rights continues.
NOTE: In several instances, the historical timeline includes verbiage from root material reflecting the era and which may imply bias, rather than the more appropriate verbiage which used to today.
Jackie Starr, Hotcha Hinton, an unidentified man, and Tonya Del Raye sitting at a table at the Garden of Allah circa 1950s.
Photo courtesy of University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections, SOC7421.
Early 1900s:
“Fairyville” Flourishes in Pioneer Square
Gay bars flourish in Pioneer Square despite becoming victims to a police payoff system in which establishments owned by gay people and people of color are forced to pay mon
A Local’s Guide to the Perfect Day in Capitol Hill, Seattle
The rainbow-painted crosswalks are the first signal that you’ve arrived in Seattle’s gay neighborhood. The pride flags in the windows of nearly every business and the huge, visible LGBT population build it even more evident. Welcome to Capitol Hill!
Capitol Hill might be the most popular area of Seattle for dining and nightlife. The fact that it’s also a same-sex attracted epicenter, with a dozen gay bars, makes the neighborhood that much better.
Beyond the gay nightlife, there are so many things to do in Capitol Hill, including shopping for hidden treasures, attending shows at music and theater venues, and (of course) eating at some of the city’s best restaurants. The large neighborhood on a hill just east of downtown is simple to explore by foot, bus, streetcar, or bright rail.
The Hill is one of the most amusement gay neighborhoods in the country, and as a Seattle resident, I’m fortunate that I get to spend time here every week. If you hold one day to encounter the best things to do in Capitol Hill, from nature to dining to nightlife, read on for a suggested itinerary, including some of my favorite insider spots.