Brody's Notes... Lambda Rising Bookstore Is Now Closed-Thanks for 35 Wonderful Years

By Brody Levesque (Washington DC) Jan 24 | The weather today in Washington D. C. was grey, cloudy, with occasional rainfall which matched the solemn mood of some of the customers who passed through the doorway of 1625 Connecticut Avenue NW here in the District for the last time. Lambda Rising Books & Gifts store owners Jim Bennett & Deacon MacCubbin closed its door at 8pm forever after being in business for 35 years.

There were some tears, hugs, lots of laughter, and reminisces about events that defined not only an era but a central quite critical component of the greater D. C. LGBT community. The store was a gathering place, a place to meet, a resource for LGBT issues, information, and even for a number of years a sponsor of Washington's annual Pride Parade and ancillary events.

With a wry grin, co-owner Jim Bennett remembered a time that the store solicited its customers to find out how many of them had found their own true love in its aisles, apparently there were quite a few couples that had. His husband Deacon spoke about Lambda being a meeting place that will be sorely missed, citing the example of persons who'd often make arrangements to meet at the store first before going out to the clubs or even having a romantic dinner.

 

Jim Bennett & Deacon MacCubbin  January 24th, 2010            
Photo by Brody Levesque 

It's sad to see this great Washington institution close. Yet, it will be a very long time before its memory fades and as the greater LGBT community becomes more integrated into mainstream society, and having a need for separate venues for Gay & Lesbian, Bi & Transgendered folk passes into the history books, one can be assured that it was due in part to the influences of the community centre that was Lambda, and its pioneering owners Jim Bennett & Deacon MacCubbin. Thank you both for 35 wonderful years!

 

The Front Door to 1625 Connecticut Avenue NW, Lambda Rising on January 24th, 2010       Photo by Brody Levesque

Lambda Store Manager Dan Mecredy       Photo by Brody Levesque

View Towards Front Door       Photo by Brody Levesque

View Towards Rear of Store       Photo by Brody Levesque

Assistant Manager Linsey Pecikonis      Photo by Brody Levesque

Jim Bennett & Photojournalist Patsy Lynch     Photo by Brody Levesque

Deacon MacCubbin & Linsey Pecikonis        Photo by Brody Levesque

Thanks for 35 wonderful years written on the window by Jim Bennett   Photo by Brody Levesque

 

 Pride Flag Over The Store's Entrance

Photo By Brody Levesque