To invest in the education of a diverse group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and allied... moreTo invest in the education of a diverse group of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and allied students who have the capacity and vision to be the next generation of leaders working to create a better world for all.
We created a GatheringUs memorial to celebrate the life of Charlie Brydon. Collecting your stories and memories here will offer us great comfort. Click on the heart to let us know you were here and to receive email updates. Thank you for contributing to this lasting memorial.
OBITUARY
Hi everyone. Thank you for visiting Charlie's memorial Page. If you plan on attending the virtual memorial we are asking everyone to wear some symbol of Gay Pride like a pride flag pin or a symbol of Seattle. Thank you!Megan and LiliYou can click the link below to view the obituary for Charlie Brydon in the Seattle Times
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Hi everyone. Thank you for visiting Charlie's memorial Page. If you plan on attending the virtual memorial we are asking everyone to wear some symbol of Gay Pride like a pride flag pin or a symbol of Seattle. Thank you! Megan and Lili
You can click the link below to view the obituary for Charlie Brydon in the Seattle Times
I met Charlie and his dear friend Randy Beitel by complete happenstance a number of years ago when my partner Greg and I were staying at the Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier, MT. Greg and I were standing on the front porch of the lodge when Charlie and... moreI met Charlie and his dear friend Randy Beitel by complete happenstance a number of years ago when my partner Greg and I were staying at the Glacier Park Lodge in East Glacier, MT. Greg and I were standing on the front porch of the lodge when Charlie and Randy and a third friend disembarked from Amtrak and were heading up the path to the front entrance. An immediate recognition among gay men, with the result that a conversation ensued between Charlie and me. This was not long after David had died and Charlie was still grieving, the reason for the trip I think. I ran into Charlie on the sun porch of the hotel at which time we were able to have a longer chat and exchanged contact information. Subsequently when two friends plus Greg and I made plans to do some backpacking in the North Cascades using the little town of Stehekin as our home base, I told Charlie of our trip and asked if he would like to join us for a day or two before our trek. Stehekin is a paradisiacal gem, reachable only by sea plane or a delightful four hour boat ride up Lake Chelan. Charlie researched my proposal and agreed to take me up on my suggestion. The five of us had a great time there, dining together and taking walks. The same Stehekin gathering was repeated several years later.
As a couple of folks observed, Charlie was no braggart when it came to his seminal role in gay activism in Seattle and the State of Washington. He never mentioned it to me until as a librarian, I thought I would alert Charlie about the publication of the book GAY SEATTLE by the University of Washington Press suspecting that it would be of interest to him. Charlie thanked me and then gently suggested that I look up his name in the index. I did and was gobsmacked. Thank you Charlie for your friendship and for all that you did for the LGBT community in Seattle. In your honor I wore my rainbow top hat for your service. I hope it made you smile. -- Eric Smith, Durham NC less
As I was completing my education at the University of Washington, I joined Charlie and dozens of other LGBTQ folks in founding SEAMEC in 1977 and was among hundreds who worked on the Initiative 13 campaign in 1978. Over those two years, Charlie became... moreAs I was completing my education at the University of Washington, I joined Charlie and dozens of other LGBTQ folks in founding SEAMEC in 1977 and was among hundreds who worked on the Initiative 13 campaign in 1978. Over those two years, Charlie became a mentor for me in developing an identity as a queer activist and provided a role model for many who followed. His political acumen, his quiet demeanor and thoughtful leadership were essential to the success of the LGBTQ+ community in Seattle. He was a giant who changed the world. less