Claiming Queer Space in Seattle's Pioneer Square

Jamala Henderson
12/05/2009

Walk through Seattle's Pioneer Square today and you'll see sports bars, art galleries and gift shops. But early in the 20th century, seedy bars, gambling and prostitution made the area a magnet for Seattle's rough and tumble riffraff. It was also one of the first places in Seattle where lesbians and gays could socialize publicly. Michael Brown is with the Northwest Lesbian and Gay History Museum Project. He's also a political and historical geography professor who teaches at the University of Washington. Michael spoke with KUOW's Jamala Henderson about the impact that three Pioneer Square spaces had on Seattle's Queer community.