“They constitute a major social hub and a significant economic driver. “Prior to the pandemic, Capitol Hill was famous for its nightlife, including bars catering to the LGBTQ community,” he told The Click. Jamie Pedersen is the Washington state senator who oversees parts of Seattle, including Capitol Hill (where he also lives).

| Credit: Aeryn SaintĪ walk down Capitol Hill these days reveals lonely park benches, unplugged “open” signs, and chairs stacked on top of bare restaurant tables. The neighborhood typically sees thousands of visitors each weekend, on top of its nearly 20,300 residents.Ī sign of Gay City downtown Capitol Hill.

I don’t think it affected us until probably a month to three months in, when we realized that we probably will never go back to those places ever again.”Ĭapitol Hill is known for its rainbow crosswalks, gay and lesbian bars, pride parades, and historic LGBTQ businesses. “Most people in the LGBTQIA+ considered bars a better safe space than most of our own personal residences,” Bradshaw said.