What could be a more exciting way to usher in Seattle LGBT Pride than to raise the rainbow flag above the city's icon, the Space Needle? Needless to say I'm thrilled, and the town is all a-buzz about this unexpected delight!This is something our Community of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and straight allies has been wanting to see for a long, long time. So how did it come to be? Louise Chernin, Executive Director of theGreater Seattle Business Association (GSBA) filled me in. The plan was hatched at a Pride tourism luncheon last week sponsored by GSBA, the largest LGBT Chamber in the United States. GSBA has just launched an LGBT Tourism portal on their website: Travel Gay Seattle, Where Out is In, for LGBT Tourists to Get Here, Stay Here and Play Here. The goal is to increase tourism revenue in our region. Among the luncheon guests was the president of the Space Needle who decided to show the LGBT community how valued we are in this city.
 I'd say he's got his finger on the pulse of the city, don't you? After all, something like 90% of Seattle voters approved our comprehensive domestic partnership law at the polls last November. Louise puts it this way:
Today, the best known icon of Seattle, made a significant statement for LGBT equality by raising the Rainbow Flag on top of Seattle's Space Needle. Seattle is home of the third largest LGBT population in the country and the raising of the flag is a recognition of the integral role the LGBT community has in Seattle being a world class city. ... Looking up and seeing a rainbow flag on top of the Space Needle sends a warm and welcoming message to all LGBT tourists visiting this weekend to celebrate Pride. Photo credits: Aaron Last, Dan Cox and James Whitely & Pams Blend |
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