AUSTIN, Texas — A vinyl shop designed to be a safe space for all queer people had its grand opening on East Fifth Street in Austin on Saturday.
“I want to build a space where people can come and feel like safe and welcome and included, whether that be because of your sexual identity, your gender, your music taste. Like, whatever it is, I want to bring people together in one place,” Luca Kisielius, the owner of Sunshine Vinyl, said.
Kisielius had been working in the tech industry in Austin for around 10 years but wanted to do something that they felt gave them more purpose.
“I really want to bring physical media and tangible media to our generation so that we can kind of step away from being online all the time,” Kisielius said.
For the past few months, Kisielius has been curating records through local record stores like Alchemy Records, local people reaching out on Facebook Marketplace and even some donations.
“If someone comes in my store and they walk out and they've discovered a new album, whether they've bought it or not, and they felt like they had a good time, that's what that's what I care about,” Kisielius said.
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Kisielius' friends were excited to see Sunshine Vinyl have its opening day during Pride Month.
“It’s about creating a beautiful space where our community can come together, but also any members of any marginalized community can come together and just take a minute, listen to good music, find cool albums,” Andi Stevens, a close friend of Kisielius, said.
In addition to selling records, Sunshine Vinyl also plan to have DJ sets, spoken word performances, local live musicians and even some fundraisers.
“I’m going to dedicate a whole day to raising money for a local HIV charity,” Kisielius said.
A big donation of records came from a man whose husband died of HIV/Aids complications.
But most importantly, Kisielius just wanted to create a space on the east side of town that feels like home for everyone.
“This really feels like I have a purpose now, and I can give back to my community and be a part of my community and just help people enjoy music as it’s meant to be enjoyed,” Kisielius said.
Sunshine Vinyl is located at 1601 E. 5th St. and will be open every Tuesday though Saturday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m.