Seattle Space Needle Sets Donation Requirement to Fly Pride Flag
The Seattle Space Needle, which earlier this month said it would not be flying a Gay Pride this year, and perhaps not ever, has changed its tune a bit. It now says it will fly the flag if people donate $50,000 to charity, King5 reports:
On their Facebook page, they announced if the community can raise $50,000 for charity, the Rainbow Flag will fly on top of the Space Needle on Sunday of Gay Pride weekend, June 26.
The $50,000 will go to four pre-selected charities: the Greater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) Scholarship Program, Lambda Legal, It Gets Better for the Trevor Project and Mary's Place, a homeless shelter for women and children.
Mary Bacarella, Space Needle spokesperson, said after flying the Pride flag last year, they wanted to include a community-wide effort this time around.
The Space Needle's announcement has infuriated commenters on its Facebook page, angry that the landmark is spinning the charity angle as a condition to support Seattle's LGBT population with the Pride symbol.
Down here in louisiana we have just two words for that!
Blackmail.
Posted by: ted | Jun 14, 2011 2:49:00 PM
Even though this shouldn't be conditional, raising money for these charities is a good goal.
Posted by: Arthur | Jun 14, 2011 2:49:44 PM
From the Facebook Page
Elise M. Oras - "While I appreciate raising money for worthwhile charities (and I DID donate), can anyone tell me the amount the 12th Man Flag raised for Charity? Or the winner of the Apple Cup Flag? Those stats would be appreciated, thanks!!"
Zoë Noneyo - "Yeah, please keep your flag. I never thought a Seattle icon such as yours would ever be this publicly discriminating. It makes me sick. You are aware that Seattle has the 2nd highest gay population in the US, right?"
Posted by: Hollywood, CA | Jun 14, 2011 2:56:18 PM
I just can't believe they came up with this less than 2 weeks prior to 06/26/11! I would be a little more okay with it had they announced this MONTHS in advance in order to get to $50K for charity. Shame on them.
Posted by: Christian | Jun 14, 2011 2:59:58 PM
Nice idea, but horrible execution!!
Posted by: Austin | Jun 14, 2011 3:11:04 PM
Awesome. I'm proud this happened where I live. For those of you who've spent no time here, Seattle's gay community has a small cadre of people who work like hell and a vast seething mess of apathetic entitled whiners who actually believe their (largely imagined) fabulousness is some sort of accomplishment.
It's 2011 and in another ten years being proud of being gay will make as much sense as being proud of having lips. "Born this way" is an identity, not an achievement, and ripped abs (while wonderful) are vanity, not character. "Put up or shut up" is just what we need. Wanna be celebrated? Do something worth celebrating.
Posted by: Bryan | Jun 14, 2011 3:26:03 PM
The conditional support of flying the pride flag isn't cool. But raising 50K for these charities definitely is worthwhile. Ultimately I hope that the Space Needle organization responds and clears the air, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt for right now.
Posted by: Francis | Jun 14, 2011 3:27:02 PM
I love you, Bryan.
Posted by: Dan4444 | Jun 14, 2011 3:43:48 PM
I, of course, adore the idea of raising money for charity, but the $50K requirement at this late date smacks of "Bring me the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West." Can't the needle people just put up the damn flag in the name of said charities, encourage people to donate, and from hear on out set reasonable charitable goals for anyone (including sports teams) wanting their flag flown?
Posted by: James in Hollywood | Jun 14, 2011 3:44:47 PM
For $50K they will fly the flag for one day? The month of June would have been more appropriate. And would have allowed everyone involved more time and recognition to the charitable organizations. $50k for one day? I wonder how much a billboard cost? The community should buy a billboard for a month asking everyone to donate in Pride.
$50k for one day?
Posted by: Steve Pardue | Jun 14, 2011 4:25:05 PM
Ha, I think I know you Bryan! Astute observation! I am happy I moved to NYC, Seattle's gay community was too rude for me.
Posted by: Fenrox | Jun 14, 2011 4:32:34 PM
The Needle has a policy about the flag and I'm sure it's based on requests it gets all the time. The gay flag had its time on top and it doesn't qualify to fly again. Suck it up and act like adults. We shouldn't get special treatment by whining, crying and pointing fingers. Lots of other community groups don't even get the opportunity once.
Posted by: Gega | Jun 14, 2011 4:32:40 PM
OH MY OH MY, LOOKS LIKE POOR TED HAS HIS PROVERBIAL TIT IN A WRINGER. BLACKMAIL YOU SAY? WHY MY DEAR, WHAT'S SAUCE FOR THE GOOSE IS SAUCE FOR THE GANDER. GAY ORGANIZATIONS BLACKMAIL STRAIGHT BUSINESSES TOO, WITNESS ALL THOSE BOYCOTT'S ALL OVER THE PLACE. AT LEAST IT'S FOR A GOOD CAUSE, AND I SEE NO REASON WHY THE WEALTHIER GAYS IN SEATTLE CAN'T COUGH UP THE MUCH NEEDED MOOLAH SO THE QUEENS CAN PROUDLY WAVE THEIR FLAG.
Posted by: THE QUEEN | Jun 14, 2011 4:36:31 PM
Is the Space Needle a public building? or a private company?
Posted by: NorthoftheBorder | Jun 14, 2011 7:08:00 PM
The Space Needle is a private entity. Flying the flag once was fine. Gay Americans don't NEED any one's acceptance. Have the parade, be Queer as a three dollar bill, have fun and live life.
Posted by: Sargon Bighorn | Jun 14, 2011 8:48:10 PM
Random that my comments on the FB page were posted on here ;)
I hope moving forward that the Space Needle requires a large donation for every flag that flies, for any event.
Posted by: elise oras | Jun 15, 2011 1:39:21 AM
So, let the inhabitants of Seattle give $50K to charity ... Gay charity, such as Chicken Soup Brigade.
Posted by: Liam | Jun 15, 2011 2:18:06 AM
Bryan and Elise are right: If the space needle can be used to build community and raise money for worthwhile charities, the LGBT community would earn its pride by leading the way and being the first to meet the donation goal.
Posted by: andnowwhat | Jun 15, 2011 4:48:24 AM