William Way LGBT Community Center Announces Continuation Of Programs & Services Ahead Of Building Closure; Future Plans in Development

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PHILADELPHIA, PA | November 24, 2025 – As the William Way LGBT Community Center (1315 Spruce Street, Philadelphia, PA) prepares for the permanent closure of its Philadelphia building on December 18, 2025, the Center is pleased to announce that many of its vital programs, services, and community support will continue in the new year. Beginning January 5, 2026, all of William Way’s Empowerment Programs, including the Elder Initiative, Peer Counseling, and Trans Programs, will operate out of The Church of St. Luke and The Epiphany (330 S. 13th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107), located just around the corner from the Center’s building.

Recognized for its decades-long commitment to welcoming people of all backgrounds, St. Luke’s has a long and deeply rooted history of supporting, affirming, and celebrating Philadelphia’s LGBTQ+ community. Situated in the heart of the Gayborhood, St. Luke’s is a vibrant and inclusive faith community where approximately 70% of its congregation identifies as LGBTQ+. This shared mission makes St. Luke’s an ideal temporary home for William Way’s Empowerment programs, ensuring the Center can continue delivering vital services and support to the community.

“While the building may be closing, our commitment to the community remains unwavering,” said Laura Ryan, Co-Chair of William Way’s board. “Our board, staff, and community partners are actively finalizing plans that will guide the Center’s next chapter, and we look forward to sharing those details as soon as we can.”

In addition to its empowerment and support services, William Way will continue to offer robust Arts & Culture programming at partner organizations and off-site locations throughout 2026. This January and February, the Center will present Dead Dykes & Some Gay Men, an exhibition by artist and activist Arleen Olshan, at iMPeRFeCT Gallery in Germantown. The exhibition features drawings, paintings, and photographs honoring the LGBTQ+ activists, colleagues, friends, and loved ones Olshan has known who have passed away. 

The transition also includes adjustments to the John J. Wilcox, Jr. Archives and Library. Currently, the Archives is closed to researchers and visitors as the Center prepares for its future home, ensuring that its vast collection of LGBTQ+ history is preserved and ready for expanded access in the years ahead. The Library will remain open for browsing and returns until December 18, though it is no longer checking out materials.

“For William Way, the Center has never been defined solely by a physical address; it lives wherever people come together to support, educate, uplift, and celebrate one another,” said Darius McLean, Acting Executive Director of the William Way LGBT Community Center. “As we head into 2026, where we’ll celebrate our 50th anniversary, we’re stepping into one of the most exciting chapters in our history. This next year will be marked by expanded partnerships, renewed visibility, and a strengthened commitment to meeting our community wherever they are. The future of William Way is bright, and we’re honored to continue serving our LGBTQ+ family during this important transition.”

While changes are ahead, the Center encourages the community to come out and enjoy the events planned through the end of the year. On Thanksgiving Day from 12 to 2 p.m., William Way will host a free Giving Thanks Dinner & Tree Decorating event, featuring an LGBTQ sit-down meal that invites the community to fellowship and celebrate the holiday together, followed by the opportunity to decorate the Center’s holiday tree. Then, on December 5 from 6 to 9 p.m., the Center will host One Last Dance, a celebratory evening honoring the memories, milestones, and community built within the current walls before the Center closes its doors. One Last Dance will bring together longtime friends, supporters, and new faces for an evening of music, joy, and reflection as William Way commemorates its legacy and looks forward to the future.

For the most up-to-date information on dates, times, and locations for programs beginning in the new year, community members are encouraged to visit the William Way LGBT Community Center’s website at https://www.waygay.org/.

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About William Way LGBT Community Center: 

The William Way LGBT Community Center has served the LGBTQIA+ community of Philadelphia and its allies since 1976. From social groups, networking events, and counseling and support services to art exhibitions and cultural experiences, the Center consistently strives to provide new and innovative programs for the  LGBTQIA+ communities throughout Greater Philadelphia. Visit www.waygay.org.