I worked at Lambda Rising when it was on S Street in 1978, the year, I respectfully submit, was the first full year of the golden age of gay DC even tho Gay Pride was still small enough to fit mostly into the street directly in front of our door. Way back then, new mayor Marion Barry was still thankful that gays had helped elect him, not the antigay loon he seem's to have become, & Harvey Milk was just "some guy out in San Francisco."

I did window displays & organized events such as the book signing party for Andrew Holleran & "Dancer from the Dance" [after which two young fools called to see exactly what they'd chosen to ingest from my book-themed display (fake Qualudes) and the LP [yes] signing party for Barbara Cook, and promoted fundraisers starring Eartha Kitt [divine] and Grace Jones [buffoon].

LR was the heart of the community for many gays—they came through the door as if they were visiting a beloved family member, and not just those young, out, and liberal...though it was his chauffeur who walked in and not then-famous right wing columnist Joseph Alsop himself who paid for a copy of "Dance" with a check bearing Alsop's name.

I grieve not just the death of community institutions like LR but that of so many whose smiling faces I can still see surrounded by its shelves. Thank you, Deacon, for those memories, and for being such a unique player in our revolution.

Here in Washingtin DC, four influences shaped most persons' gay identities in my generation: bars, baths, Blade and books (Lambda Rising).

I was never into the bar or baths scene, so for me, the (now defunct) Blade and (soon to be defunct) books at Lambda Rising meant alot for me.

I found answers, friends, and community. Deacon Maccubbin, owner of Lambda Rising, deserves huge credit for his immense contribution to so many of us. One of his biggest achievements was starting the first gay pride celebrations here in Washington DC, and running them the first five years.

Loosing the Blade and not Lambda Rising within a couple months of each other are huge hits for the DC community, and the thousands touched by Lambda from out of town when they visited, or by internet. I see no reason why the book clubs can not continue, but a gay space really is important, and that is being lost.

I wonder if anyone has thoughts of a gay coffee shop with a book corner? With so much vacant commercial space here in DC from the recession, maybe this could kick off? Or a non-profit LGBT community center, including such a casual spot.

Nancy, you have seen the exclusively lesbian bookstores here in Washington colose previously. What picked up the slack for that part of the community? I can not imagine the internet being a substitute for everything that we once had.

Having lived in the Washington DC, I am sad to hear
that Lambda Rising is closing. Like a previous
poster as stated, the bars, the Blade, the baths
and Lambda Rising were a cornerstone of the LBGT community. Never went to the baths but the other three were very much part of my life.

"Mission Accomplished"??? You were only in business for 35 years to get marriage rights??? That is the biggest crock I've ever heard? That was a very shallow 'mission' then.