Sarah Toce
Seattle’s Capitol Hill neighborhood went to sleep somberly on Monday night with news that one of the LGBTQ+ community’s fiercest protectors had died. Shelley Brothers, co-owner of Seattle’s lesbian bar The Wildrose, had succumbed to cancer at the age of 67.
“It is with profound sadness that the Wildrose family shares the passing of our beloved Shelley, long-term family, friend, and co-owner of the Rose,” the official statement read. “She gave her life to this bar, ensuring that it remained a safe, welcoming space for generations of queer people to gather, celebrate, and find communion.”
The statement continued, “Shelley was always there, always available, always ready with a warm smile. She was a community presence in the truest sense- fiercely dedicated, endlessly generous, and deeply loved.”
The Wildrose was founded in 1984 and is currently one of the oldest lesbian bars in the country. As of 2025, there are reportedly only 32 lesbian bars left in the U.S. Brothers began co-owning the bar in 2002 and her business partner, Martha Manning, joined in co-ownership three years later. The establishment celebrated 40 years of operation on December 30, 2024.
“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.”
“Shelley was/is a queer icon in Seattle,” Seattle PrideFest posted. “She was dogged in her commitment to the Rose, community-minded at every step, and loved tending bar to her ever-expanding community.”
A Celebration of Life will be held for Brothers at the Rose on February 16, 2025, from 2-9pm.
Organizers are asking “if you have photos that you would like to be included in the celebration, please email them to hello@thewildrosebar.com.❤️”
