Apparently, white people were charged a “reparations fee” for participating in a Seattle gay pride event because the gathering was supposed to be focused on “black and brown” members of the “trans and queer” community. Considering that this is Seattle, all of this is happening with the blessing of folks such as the city council president as well as the local Human Rights Commission, according to Jason Rantz with KTTH-AM.
The Details
TAKING B[L}ACK PRIDE organizers said that everybody was welcome to attend the event on Saturday, but they also were quick to note that “white allies and accomplices” will need to pay up! They would be charged as much as $10 to $50.
“All are free to attend, HOWEVER this a BLACK AND BROWN QUEER TRANS CENTERED, PRIORITIZED, VALUED, EVENT,” the message from the Trans Women of Color Solidarity Network reads. “The safety of Black and Brown Queer and Trans folks is something that is PARAMOUNT, and we will always make sure that the safety of our community is prioritized at all times. White accomplices and allies are welcome to attend, but they will have to pay a $10 to $50 reparations fee and they will have to wear a wrist band as proof of payment. This will be used to keep this event free of cost for BLACK AND BROWN queer and trans individuals, but it will also ensure that the performers can be paid well also.”
The event organizers also added that the “reparations fee” was based on one’s ability to pay. Additionally, the organizer wrote that the event is going to be held in Jimi Hendrix Park, which is owned by the city, and so that means there are some questions regarding the legality of this fee. Of course, Seattle Parks and Recreation notes that they “explicitly prohibits racial discrimination in their parks and this applies to event organizers, with or without a permit.”
Of course, these individuals cite a municipal code, in this case 18.12.280:
It is unlawful for any person occupying or using any park or recreation facility for any event, activity or exhibition open to the public, whether or not under a permit and whether or not an admission or entrance fee is charged, to deny to any other person the full use and enjoyment of such park and recreation facility because of race…
The Pushback From LGBTQ Leaders Over the Fee
Capitol Hill Pride Rally and March leaders Charlette LeFevre and Philip Lipson took some serious issue over the reparations fee, claiming that it’s “reverse discrimination” and it violates both local and federal anti-discrimination laws. Interestingly enough, these were the same individuals that banned gay and lesbian police officers from these events as well.
Apparently, that wasn’t enough for the organizers of this event.
Seems to me that this “woke” business is starting to get way, way out of hand.
What do you think about people being CHARGED to go to a Gay Pride event?!
