All interviews were conducted in American Sign Language (ASL) with the help of an interpreter. Special thank you to Seattle University First-Year Cell and Molecular Biology Major Rio Slevin for providing interpretation assistance.
Located on the corner of Broadway and Denny Way, just steps away from the Capitol Hill Light Rail station, a vibrantly decorated window stands out against the otherwise drab city street. Passerbys looking inward will catch a glimpse of Voices Off Lounge, Seattle’s brand new holding space for the Deaf community.
Upon entering, the lounge is welcoming and cozy. People mill about, sipping coffee, watching TV and relaxing on the provided couches. There’s only one real rule, as written on a sign in the entrance: “Voices Off, Please!” Visitors are free to sign, gesture, write and type, but in order to create an entirely safe and respectful space that centers the Deaf community, Voices Off requests that no one communicate verbally.
The space officially opened Jan. 31, 2025, but had been in the works for over 10 years according to owner Kellie Gillespie.
“Capitol Hill used to be a great place to be Deaf,” Gillespie said. “This was partly because [Seattle Central Community College] used to have a popular [ASL] interpreter program, but it was shut down in 2011.”
This was around the same time that Gillespie moved to Seattle. Upon arriving, they struggled to find Deaf-centered spaces or places to make friends. Having been born Deaf, this struggle had been present throughout Gillespie’s whole life. It was here that they realized the community space they had always wanted was something that they could create. In 2012, they became the CEO of Visually Speaking, a Seattle-based company working to make learning ASL accessible.
In 2023, Visually Speaking partnered with Seattle Restored, an organization dedicated to helping artists and small businesses get off the ground through hosting pop-up shops in empty storefronts. This was the first iteration of Voices Off, lasting roughly five months in the heart of Downtown Seattle. The success of this experimental pop-up encouraged Gillespie to seek a more permanent location, finally landing in Capitol Hill in late 2024.
The lounge celebrated its permanent opening with two parties at the beginning of February, one aimed at just those who are Deaf or Hard of Hearing, and another open to everyone.
“The energy was great. The music was so loud you couldn’t talk. But you can always sign!” Gillespie said.
Having opened so recently, Voices Off is still a work in progress being shaped by the community to fill whatever needs may arise.
“It’s all still a big experiment,” Gillespie said. “At this point, we do whatever people want to see happen.”
Jason Shields, a frequent visitor of the Lounge and ASL instructor for Visually Speaking, described the wide variety of events Voices Off has already had the chance to offer.
“We’ve done art, played games, watched Deaf TV shows, even worked with Braille,” Shields said.
Visually Speaking also hosts a weekly ASL meet up every Sunday at Seattle U alumni-owned Boon Boona Coffee, Shields explained. The event is aimed at ASL learners and speakers of all levels and serves as another opportunity to create connections and make friends.
While Voices Off Lounge is a Deaf-led and Deaf-centered space, Gillespie made it clear that everyone is welcome to visit, learn, and support the community.
“Disabled people aren’t scary, we don’t bite,” Gillespie said. “That’s why our window is so inviting. People can walk by, wave, and feel welcome. We want to spread ASL everywhere, not just in these specialized spaces.”
In addition to their publicly open hours, Voices Off offers ASL classes for learners of all levels, including specialized classes such as those aimed at the LGBTQIA+ community. These profits from these classes help fund the lounge, enabling them to offer more events and activities.
“Everyone was so kind and welcoming, which really reflects on how much of a community oriented space it is,” Rio Slevin, a first-year cell and molecular biology major, said after visiting the lounge. “I’m glad that a space like this is starting up because it is definitely needed, and hopefully it will encourage more people to learn ASL and grow the community.”
Slevin emphasized the importance of immersion in the language as well as learning from those who are Deaf as they did when beginning ASL.
Voices Off Lounge is open for drop-in visits from 12-8 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. They plan to host frequent special events like their upcoming Sign-a-Raoke Night Feb. 13 from 7-10 p.m. at the Crescent Lounge. Information about upcoming classes and events can be found on their Instagram, @voicesoffseattle.
