Gay Coffeehouse
Name of Organization: Gay Community Center of Philadelphia
Known in popular gay history as the "Gay Coffeehouse", the original Gay Community Center was founded in 1975, and was the predecessor of Penguin Place and the William Way Community Center in a direct line of succession.
The Center held its grand opening event on Sunday afternoon, August 24, 1975, which was broadcast live on a local alternative radio station operating on the Penn Campus.
A group of 25 members of the community formed a Steering Committee that developed the Center, and raised funds to rent and renovate a two-story brick building at 324 Kater Street that had been a stable for horses of the mounted patrols of the Philadelphia Police,
A ramp to the second floor was replaced with stairs leading to offices for meeting rooms and a library of donated books.
A new concrete floor was poured on the first floor that was devoted primarily to a space for a Coffeehouse, community gatherings, and meetings of several gay and Lesbian organizations in Philadelphia at that time.
The original group who organized the Center included Hank Baron, Bob Hass, Joseph DeMarco, Jeff Dunn, Peter Dunning, Harry Eberlin, Jeffrey Escoffier, Rich Grzesiak, Ed Hermance, Harry Kelly, Dr. Walter Lear, Steve Mirman, Ian Mishkin, Arleen Olshan, William Phillips, Lee Robbins, Bob Stewart.
The Center was legally incorporated as a non-profit organization in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Location: 324 Kater Street, Philadelphia
Period in existence: 1976 to 19?? at that location, continuing as Penguin Place and the present William Way Community Center.
Philadelphians who participate/d in this organization:
