LGBTQ+ club in downtown Salt Lake hosts last Thanksgiving dinner before closing

SALT LAKE CITY — A place that was home to the LGBTQ community, especially during the holidays, has closed its doors.

Owners host final Thanksgiving meal as final installment of an annual tradition since they opened for business before completely shutting down.

“In a world where safe spaces for LGBTQ people can still be rare, Club Verse offered an environment where people could let their guard down and just enjoy life,” said former patron Emily Walker.

Repp and partner Riley Richter opened Club Verse together. They have hosted events to promote inclusivity in the past and built on this idea.

“It’s heartbreaking to have to put the community first after 12 years of putting the community first,” said Micheal Repp, co-owner of Club Verse. a conversation. “It’s supposed to be a place where you find your extended family and friends.”

Richter suffered a heart attack in August, causing many health and financial problems.

“We came to the decision together out of a lot of tears, some anger, some frustration,” Repp said. This decision was to close the club.

“This was more than just a venue or a club; it was a home for many people, a safe haven,” Walker said.

At Thanksgiving and Christmas, Repp and Richter hosted dinners for those who could not return home.

“The holidays are a very, very difficult time for the LGBTQ community for obvious reasons; there’s a lot of estrangement from families,” Walker said.

“It’s really hard to accept that we won’t be here this year, what that meant for us was really saving lives,” Repp added.

The couple moved to Colorado for Richter’s treatment. Repp said another reason they decided to close was so they could focus solely on Richter’s treatment and get the care they needed in that area.

Their move left a void in society for those who stood behind it.

“They leave behind a legacy of love, inclusion and empowerment,” Walker said.