The Stranger News asks you to Save Pride’s Indebted Gay Ass on Sunday during the Seattle Pride Parade buy buying their Pride buttons for a donation of $5 to $10, or more.
Seattle Pride got themselves into trouble back in 2006 when they were surprised to receive a $95,000 bill for the after parade festival at Seattle Center. Then in March Seattle Pride got sued by the city. “Seattle Center, which, unlike the event’s previous home of Volunteer Park, charges steep rental and labor fees. A private firm—not SOaP—now rents Seattle Center for the post-parade soiree. Albert-Gauthier says the gay pride parade costs between $30,000 to $40,000 a year, and it has remained in the black for in the last two years.” But the 2006 debt still remains.
The city waived the interest on the debt but if Seattle Pride fails to pay at least $15,000 off the debt each year, on top of their annual parade expenses, then “the interest for the entire amount will be due (plus any more accrued interest). The city may also file a lawsuit to collect the total debt.”
So don’t forget to support Seattle Pride this weekend. The Seattle Pride Parade has grown to an amazing 350,000 people, possibly more than Seattle’s Annual Torchlight Sea-Fair Parade, and they could attract even more this year depending on the weather; cross your fingers.
Pride in Los Angeles, Minneapolis, Atlanta and Chicago attract around 400,000, give or take. Pride in San Francisco and New York attracts over one million spectators and Boston Pride claims that one million people showed up this year. Attendance at Vancouver Pride in Canada has skyrocketed to over 500,000 since they expanded their parade route. For more info about the Seattle Pride Parade or to donate to Seattle Pride, visit www.seattlepride.org.
