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Familiar faces: Signal boxes in Capitol Hill decorated with LGBTQ+ heroes

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Photo by Mike Pham
Photo by Mike Pham

Visitors to and residents of the Capitol Hill neighborhood might have noticed a new feature in the last weeks: signal box wraps featuring a few of Seattle's LGBTQ+ heroes. Designed with help from Bruce Fleming, these displays by local Queer artists portray those who have made advancements in Seattle for Queer people. From bar owners to state representatives, these leaders helped foster community and acceptance in Washington state.

These are the subjects, listed from south to north along Broadway:

Martha Manning and Shelly Brothers
Martha Manning & Shelley Brothers — Portrait by Sydney M. Pertl  

Martha Manning and Shelly Brothers

At the corner of Pike and Broadway is a portrait of Martha Manning and Shelly Brothers, the owners of Seattle's longest-running Lesbian bar, the Wildrose. Since 1985, the Wildrose has been a place of community for Queer women. With weekly events, it is a fun and safe space for regulars and newbies alike.

Carol Sterling
Carol Sterling — Portrait by Jieyi Zhou  

Carol Sterling

Carol Sterling, whose portrait is featured at Pine and Broadway, is most known for her involvement with the Chicken Soup Brigade. As its first paid staff member, she spent years dedicated to providing services and comfort to those suffering from AIDS. Under her guidance, the Chicken Soup Brigade grew and was able to reach even more people. She headed fundraisers and recruited volunteers to keep up with the ever-growing demand.

Vickie Williams
Vickie Williams — Portrait by Kosmo  

Vickie Williams

Vickie Williams's portrait is featured in front of Seattle Central College. She ran Washington's only Black-owned bookstore, providing spaces for Black people to connect with their heritage and be unapologetically themselves. LEMS Life Enrichment Bookstore in Columbia City has had a valuable impact on many in the community.

Seattle's LGBTQ+ Councilmembers
Seattle's LGBTQ+ Councilmembers — Portraits by Kelly Bjork  

Seattle's LGBTQ+ Councilmembers

At the intersection of Howell and Broadway, a utility box honors the openly LGBTQ+ members of the Seattle City Council: Sally Clark (former editor at the SGN), Tom Rasmussen, Sherry Harris, Cheryl Chow, and Tina Podlodowski.

Aidan Key
Aidan Key — Portrait by Kosmo  

Aidan Key

Also at Howell and Broadway is a portrait of Aidan Key, founder of Gender Diversity and advocate for Trans youth. Over the years he has worked with families and children to help navigate their transition, provided resources, and hosted conferences to educate families and professionals on issues Trans youth face and how to best support them. He is also the author of multiple books, including Trans Children in Today's Schools.

Cal Anderson
Cal Anderson — Portrait by Sydney M. Pertl  

Cal Anderson

Cal Anderson, after whom a park is named, is featured at the corner of Denny and Broadway. As the first openly Gay elected official in the Washington House of Representatives and Senate, Anderson fought for civil rights, gun control, and funding for education.

Shelly Bauman
Shelly Bauman — Portrait by Sydney M. Pertl  

Shelly Bauman

On the corner of John and Broadway, Shelly Bauman is pictured with an artistic rendering of the sign she hung outside the bar she started, Shelly's Leg. The sign, which reads "Shelly's Leg is a Gay bar provided for Seattle's Gay community and their guests" encapsulates the energy of the place in its prime. Though it was only open for a few years, it is heralded as Seattle's first disco and welcomed people of every background and identity.

Judge Mary Yu
Judge Mary Yu — Portrait by Jieyi Zhou  

Judge Mary Yu

Judge Mary Yu, whose portrait is featured at Thomas and Broadway, is Washington's first openly Gay justice, serving on the Washington State Supreme Court. She officiated the first same-sex marriage in Washington state and was influential in the Arlene Flowers decision, which made it illegal for Washington businesses to discriminate against customers for their sexual orientation.

Marsha Botzer — Jieeyi Zhou  

Marsha Botzer, whose portrait is located at Harrison and Broadway, is the founder of Ingersoll Gender Center and has been active in multiple groups promoting the rights of Trans people. Through Ingersoll, she has been able to give Trans and gender-nonconforming people support and community since 1977.

George Bakan
George Bakan — Portrait by Sydney M. Pertl  

George Bakan

At the corner of Republican and Broadway is George Bakan's portrait. The former publisher at the SGN, Bakan used journalism to advocate for Queer people, and raise awareness of issues of important to them. During the AIDS crisis, the paper was a vital resource, including publishing much-needed obituaries. Bakan also founded the Seattle AIDS Action Committee, which provided seed money to distribute condoms in bars, sent people with AIDS to marches in Washington, DC, and organized vigils and fundraisers.

Bob Wood
Bob Wood — Portrait by Brandon "B.T." Thomas  

Bob Wood

Bob Wood, who is featured at the corner of Mercer and Broadway, is a physician and activist for people living with HIV/AIDS. Throughout his career, he has worked to help them get the care and support they need. He was the director for King County's HIV/AIDS program for over two decades.

Brian M. Day

Brian M. Day

Brian M. Day, whose portrait is at the corner of Roy and Broadway, began his activism after being diagnosed with HIV himself. Since then, he has focused his work on people of color living in poverty, HIV issues, and LGBTQ+ rights. He served on the governors AIDS Advisory Task Force and helped to push for an AIDS hospice unit. Toward the end of his life, he set aside money to be used as a scholarship fund for Gay men of color to pursue further education.