Local LGBT Community Center to Close in December but Programming Will Continue
The William Way LGBT Community Center will close its doors on Dec. 18 after years of serving the Philadelphia community with counseling services, support groups, and food assistance. However, leaders assure that programming will continue at various locations around the city.
The decision to shut down was made due to high repair costs for the center's building at 1315 Spruce St., which had become unsustainable for the organization. Despite efforts to secure funding, officials were unable to raise the necessary money to address the problems.
About 15,000 people visit William Way each year for a range of services. The center's Empowerment Programs, including its Elder Initiative and peer counseling services, will be relocated to the Church of Saint Luke and the Epiphany in January. St. Luke has a long history of inclusivity and is home to a congregation that identifies as LGBTQ+ at a rate of 70%.
Arts and culture programming, which includes gallery exhibitions, will be held at partner organizations and off-site locations throughout 2026.
As part of its farewell festivities, William Way will host two events: a Giving Thanks Dinner & Tree Decorating event on Dec. 5 from noon-2 p.m. and a final dance honoring the organization's work and community on Dec. 5 from 6-9 p.m.
For its 50th anniversary in 2026, the center plans to expand partnerships, increase visibility, and strengthen its commitment to serving the LGBTQ+ community. The future of William Way looks bright, with plans to continue meeting the community where they are most needed.
The John J. Wilcox Jr. Archives and Library, which houses publications, business records, and personal papers related to the queer community, will also close on Dec. 18. However, the organization plans to preserve the collection and make it more accessible in the coming years.
William Way was founded in 1976 and has operated out of its Spruce Street building since 1996. Despite efforts to redevelop the facility, repair costs proved too high, leading leaders to decide against operating the center for an extended period and instead sell the property.
A fundraising effort for repairs failed, and Sen. John Fetterman ultimately removed $1 million earmarked for William Way from a funding bill in March 2024. However, the organization remains committed to continuing its mission and serving the community it has served for decades.
The William Way LGBT Community Center will close its doors on Dec. 18 after years of serving the Philadelphia community with counseling services, support groups, and food assistance. However, leaders assure that programming will continue at various locations around the city.
The decision to shut down was made due to high repair costs for the center's building at 1315 Spruce St., which had become unsustainable for the organization. Despite efforts to secure funding, officials were unable to raise the necessary money to address the problems.
About 15,000 people visit William Way each year for a range of services. The center's Empowerment Programs, including its Elder Initiative and peer counseling services, will be relocated to the Church of Saint Luke and the Epiphany in January. St. Luke has a long history of inclusivity and is home to a congregation that identifies as LGBTQ+ at a rate of 70%.
Arts and culture programming, which includes gallery exhibitions, will be held at partner organizations and off-site locations throughout 2026.
As part of its farewell festivities, William Way will host two events: a Giving Thanks Dinner & Tree Decorating event on Dec. 5 from noon-2 p.m. and a final dance honoring the organization's work and community on Dec. 5 from 6-9 p.m.
For its 50th anniversary in 2026, the center plans to expand partnerships, increase visibility, and strengthen its commitment to serving the LGBTQ+ community. The future of William Way looks bright, with plans to continue meeting the community where they are most needed.
The John J. Wilcox Jr. Archives and Library, which houses publications, business records, and personal papers related to the queer community, will also close on Dec. 18. However, the organization plans to preserve the collection and make it more accessible in the coming years.
William Way was founded in 1976 and has operated out of its Spruce Street building since 1996. Despite efforts to redevelop the facility, repair costs proved too high, leading leaders to decide against operating the center for an extended period and instead sell the property.
A fundraising effort for repairs failed, and Sen. John Fetterman ultimately removed $1 million earmarked for William Way from a funding bill in March 2024. However, the organization remains committed to continuing its mission and serving the community it has served for decades.
. i mean, where are they really planning to take it? more of the same old community programs and events or is there actually some new stuff on the horizon? we'll just have to wait and see... not exactly what i'd call a promising start for the future
like what r we gonna do without our beloved center? i've been goin there for yrs with my friends & family it's more than just a space 2 us it's a home away from home 
. i remember when i was young & didn't know who i was or where i fit in, but William Way made me feel seen & heard 
. now they're closin down & i'm worried bout the ppl who rely on them for support. like, what's gonna happen 2 all the ppl who go there 4 food or counseling? 
we need 2 make sure those services continue somehow. can't let our community down 
the place has been there for so long and they're gonna keep doing what they do but now it's just gonna be at different places around the city 
which is kinda cool I guess. i'm not really sure what to feel about it though... part of me wants to throw my hands up in frustration, but another part of me knows that they're still gonna be there for people who need 'em 
they've been serving this city for so long & doing so much good work 
I mean, 15k people visit them every year? That's a lot of love 
But I guess you can't keep running on fumes forever 
high repair costs must be brutal 
and that they're planning to expand partnerships & stuff in 2026 
fingers crossed that they find a way to stay afloat 
this is such a shame! i mean idk how they could just leave the centre like that tho 
i feel so bad for all the people who depend on them for support n stuff. but at least its not like they're gonna disappear forever lol they're still gonna keep doing their programs n stuff at other places n that's def a win 
15k ppl visit them every year tho thats wild! i'm all about that community love 
& btw st luke's church is giving them such an amazing space to set up shop 
cant wait 2 c what they do with it in 2026!
15k people visit there every year for support & services, that's insane! 
but on the bright side, they said programming will keep going 
at other locations, so we'll still get to see them thrive 
gotta give it up for St. Luke's too, all those queer folks in the congregation 
70% of 'em, that's amazing! 
. It's like they're being priced out of their own home.
.