Shelley Brothers, Co-Owner Of Seattle’s Lesbian Bar Wildrose, Has Passed Away
Brothers, a pillar of Seattle’s queer community, will be celebrated at the Rose on Feb. 16.
Shelley Brothers, co-owner of Capitol Hill’s iconic lesbian bar Wildrose, sadly passed away this week at the age of 67. A strong pillar of Seattle’s LGBTQ+ community, Brothers dedicated her life to Wildrose, one of the oldest lesbian bars in the country. She is lovingly remembered by friends, family, and colleagues following the bar’s somber announcement Tuesday.
“Shelley was always there, always available, always ready with a warm smile,” Wildrose posted to Instagram. “She was a community presence in the truest sense- fiercely dedicated, endlessly generous, and deeply loved.”
Her passing comes just after the bar’s 40th-anniversary celebration in December, a massive accomplishment for the sapphic space. According to The Lesbian Bar Project, only about 30 lesbian bars remain in the U.S., and Wildrose is the only standing institution in Washington.
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“We do see a lot of the young lesbians seeking out the bar,” Brothers told Capitol Hill Seattle on Wildrose’s 30th anniversary. “Many of our customers come from areas where there’s not any type of gay bar, much less a lesbian bar.”
Since 2005, Brothers has stood at the forefront of this beloved and historic safe space, alongside co-owner Martha Manning, protecting its legacy.
“Shelley was iconic. She was generous and kind to so many people. The outpouring of love for her is enormous,” Manning told The Seattle Lesbian Tuesday. “We’re devastated, but overwhelmed by the love so very many people are expressing. She was such a huge presence.”
Brothers’ presence at the bar, affectionately known as the Rose, and steadfast commitment to its patrons did not go unnoticed. She often donated the space for fundraisers and celebrations out of the kindness of her heart.
“Shelley was a force. An icon. And a protector,” Wildrose shared. “Her impact is immeasurable, and her absence leaves a void that can never truly be filled. But her love, her kindness, and her unwavering commitment to this community will live on.”
Commenters have flocked to the Rose’s Instagram, sharing stories of Brothers and the influence she had on their lives.
“I remember Shelley well,” Brandi Carlile wrote. “I’m grateful of how supportive she was to me as a young gay artist and I know I’m not alone in that. Well done Shelley -rest easy friend.”
“Shelley led by example showing us how to create community in turn,” RuPaul’s Drag Race star BenDeLaCreme shared. “I always reflect on my days as both a patron and an employee at the Wildrose with great fondness. Shelley’s smile, her laugh, are etched in my mind forever.”
The Rose will host a celebration of Brothers’s life on Sunday, February 16 from 2 pm to 9 pm. Organizers ask if you have any photos of Brothers to include, please send them to hello@thewildrosebar.com.
