'A real tragedy': New tech offices will replace Oakland's Pride Parade headquarters

A float at the Oakland Pride Parade in 2019. Located in the same building as the soon-to-be-razed LGBTQ+ nightclubs Club BNB and Club 21, the annual event's headquarters will be evicted on Jan. 12 and converted into new tech offices. less A float at the Oakland Pride Parade in 2019. Located in the same building as the soon-to-be-razed LGBTQ+ nightclubs Club BNB and Club 21, the annual event's headquarters will be evicted on Jan. 12 and converted ... more Photo: Google Maps Photo: Google Maps Image 1 of / 113 Caption Close 'A real tragedy': New tech offices will replace Oakland's Pride Parade headquarters 1 / 113 Back to Gallery

When the building on 2121 Franklin Street in Oakland was sold in order to be converted into shared tech offices, it not only meant the end of an era for one of Oakland’s last LGBTQ+ bars, but also the sudden eviction of Oakland Pride’s headquarters.

Last month, owner Carlos Uribe announced Club BNB and its sister nightspot, Club 21, would close after nearly two decades in their current space. During that time, the basement of the building also reportedly housed the headquarters of Oakland Pride at no cost to the nonprofit organization, effectively saving them thousands of dollars per year in rent.

MORE: Oakland LGBTQ nightclub reportedly closing to make way for tech offices

In an email, Club 21 said they would move Latin Explosion and La Bota Loca — two of their most popular dance parties — to Level 13 in Oakland. But Uribe, who also serves as the co-chair of Oakland Pride, said he isn’t sure where the organizers of the volunteer-led nonprofit will go next.

“To lose the space to gentrification, to office spaces, when the reality is we have a lot of space like that already in Oakland, it’s a real tragedy,” Uribe told CBS, later adding, “It’s forcing a lot of long-term businesses, long-term residents and unfortunately the queer community out.”

San Francisco real estate firm Ellis Partners reportedly bought out the building, and marketing materials shared by CBS show its future as a four-story, 23,000 square foot office space with an open floor plan.

The harsh reality of the forthcoming loss rippled throughout the community, and hundreds have signed a petition written by Uribe to “Keep Oakland Queer: Allow Club 21/BnB to Stay” since he shared it via the Oakland Pride Facebook page on Saturday.

“The loss of the ONLY POC focused and Queer nightclubs in Oakland will leave a gaping hole in both night life and the LGBTQ community,” wrote Uribe.

Others signing the petition called the building a “safe haven,” a place advocating for performers of color and furthermore, a gathering space that provided continual support for its community, especially when some of them said they had nowhere else to go.

ALSO: SF Pride Parade 2019: The most colorful costumes and creative signs

The Oakland Pride Parade, reportedly the second largest in Northern California with 60,000 attendees, recently celebrated its 10 year anniversary. In spite of the uncertain future of their space, Uribe said they plan on holding another parade this year on Sept. 13.

Amanda Bartlett is an SFGATE associate digital reporter. Email: amanda.bartlett@sfgate.com | Twitter: @byabartlett