Seattle's gays and lesbians put themselves on the map It lists nearly 240 locations

Seattle PI ^

[SeattleNeedsHelp]

At first glance, the glossy, purple map with mango-colored blocks and numbered dots looks like any other handy guide tucked in a bookstore's travel section. It lists places to visit, historical dates and various Seattle neighborhoods.

But upon a closer look, "Claiming Space: Seattle's Lesbian and Gay Historical Geography," which was released last month, does much more.

Members of The Northwest Lesbian and Gay History Museum Project have recorded personal stories, examined articles and confirmed information to produce a folding piece of paper that lists important places for Seattle -- and places that may have otherwise gone unnoticed and undocumented.

Supported by a $3,500 Arcus Endowment grant, the map includes nearly 240 locations, such as taverns, houses of worship, resource centers and political meeting places. All have been instrumental in Seattle's gay and lesbian communities since the 1930s.

Only 1,000 copies were printed.

The cartographers and researchers hope the map is accessible for area residents and visitors to take on walking tours or to just study as a document.

"It says 'Seattle is our space, too,' " said Michael Brown, a University of Washington associate professor of geography. "This map tells me that gays and lesbians are in all parts of the city."

[microgood]

I'll bet these puppies are just flying off the shelf.

[steplock]

240 locations that need to be STERILIZED!

[Lobster 6]

So what! Live and let live.

[Az. Mike]

240 places to avoid like the plague!...Oh, hell, I'll just take Seattle of my list of places to visit.

[Old Professer]

Only one thing smells worse than a wet dog.

[telebob]

240 places like bath houses, public restrooms, bushes, storm drains, bus stop shelters, back alleys, behind the dumpster, under the overturned row boat...

You get the picture.