WHEREAS, William Way LGBT Community Center was first incorporated as the Gay Community Center of Philadelphia from 1975-1976, offering a library, classes, support groups and a coffeehouse. The Community Center moved locations, sponsored events, and expanded services to include youth programs, peer counseling, a cabaret space and archives. In 1997, the Community Center bought its location at 1315 Spruce Street and was renamed the William Way Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Community Center after Bill Way, an activist and driving force behind the Community Center throughout the 1980s; and
WHEREAS, For over 50 Years, the William Way LGBT Community Center has been tirelessly serving Philadelphia's LGBTQIA+ community through arts and culture, empowerment, and community connections with the expert guidance and direction of leaders throughout its history, including Chris Bartlett and Dr. Darius McLean; and
WHEREAS, The Center honors and preserves LGBTQ+ history through the John J. Wilcox Jr. Archives, the most extensive archive of LGBTQ history in Philadelphia, and programs like the Gay History Wiki, Philadelphia AIDS Oral History Project, and Remembrance, a profound memorial to Philadelphians and the HIV/AIDS crisis; and
WHEREAS, The Center leads through empathy and action and focuses on wellness and empowerment, offering peer counseling for no charge to help Philadelphians with crucial issues including substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, relationships, intimate partner violence, and isolation and loneliness. The Center is committed to caring for too-often ignored Philadelphians, providing programs specifically for LGBTQ+ elders and Transgender Philadelphians, as well as programs fostering community and joy through social and support initiatives; and
WHEREAS, William Way LGBT Community Center has been a home for LGBTQ+ Philadelphians for half a century and positively impacted the lives of countless Philadelphians. Now, the Center faces a new chapter with a growing community and new building at its longtime headquarters location; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Hereby recognizes, congratulates and honors the 50 years of exemplary work that William Way LGBT Community Center has done for our City and the LGBTQ+ community as a whole.
FURTHER RESOLVED, That an Engrossed copy of this Resolution shall be presented to William Way LGBTQ+ Community Center as evidence of the sincere respect, gratitude, and admiration of this legislative body.
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