PRIDE AND SHAME

DEAR STRANGER: I find Eli Sanders's article "Gay Pride 2010" [May 3] disappointing. It is unnecessary for him to characterize all who oppose a permanent downtown move for the parade as "Capitol Hill Pride Parade supporters [who] back separation," "disgruntled supporters of 'tradition,'" or, worst of all, "mainstream sensibility vs. ghetto mentality." Ghetto mentality? Eli, really?

As a longtime resident of Capitol Hill, I didn't know we had anything to be ashamed of up here in the "ghetto." It's the most densely populated neighborhood in the state, with an interesting and constantly changing culture (straight and gay) that I love and appreciate. I've always thought Volunteer Park was a stunning venue for the festival, so exactly who decided in 2005 that it was "no longer working"? Those of us who enjoy it so much every year weren't quite aware of that. I was proud of our Broadway parade and its locale, but I guess I've learned now that I should be ashamed, and the only way to rid me of that shame is to have an annual coming-out party in the downtown streets. Dancing in the waters of the Seattle Center fountain is evidently the only baptism that signifies we've been truly delivered from that hellish Hill we call home.

Does downtown really need another parade? Isn't the Gay Pride Parade the only one that we have here in Capitol Hill? By Eli's logic, the Fremont Parade should also move downtown, so that those damned solstice-loving hippies can come out of their shameful flower-loving closets too, and so they can be free from the neighborhood that is devoted to them. Eli, we're all for improvement of the parade, but your characterization of those who don't agree with you is just creating more polarization.

Richard Kenney

WELL SAID

ELI: Loved your article on the Pride Parade. I'm sad there are problems and I don't feel the desire to celebrate or give my money to the bars or generally support all these people who can't stop fighting with each other over their own pride and egos. I hope your article helps to pull a few heads out of a few asses.

John Haxby

LOOKING FORWARD

ELI SANDERS: Thanks for writing a well-rounded article about what ought to be happening with Pride. Your suggestion that it be all-inclusive in both locations seems to be the only viable option. The inability of others to see the opportunity that lies in this plan is curious to me, but I trust if we all keep at it and focus on the positive aspects of working together, this can and will happen.

Dennis Cavalier

PONY UP FOR PRIDE

EDITOR: Why is no one suggesting the obvious? Why not charge for the postparade festival? Why do Seattle gays think everything should be free? Many cities charge for their pride festivals, sometimes upward of $20 for a weekend pass. Even if Seattle charged a couple of bucks for attendance, it could raise a few hundred thousand dollars.

Shit, have those tickets be good for admission into the bars or enable 10 percent off merchandise in sponsoring businesses. Sell the damn tickets in the businesses who think they are losing money with a downtown festival (cheaper if bought at a business versus at the festival). With all the research into the pink dollar and high disposable incomes, let's harvest some of that gay buying power to fund a great Pride Festival. The viaduct replacement isn't free, mass transit isn't free, the new 520 bridge isn't free, and neither should the Pride Festival be free. Good things cost something. Quit being so cheap, Seattle.

Guy

DIGNITY AFTER DEATH

JONAH: Thank you for your thoughtful coverage of the shooting of Tyree Eugene Lee Sr. ["Quiet Death," Jonah Spangenthal-Lee, May 3]. I did not know him personally, but I know his mother. Her sons are her pride and joy, and Tyree's children were his pride and joy. It may seem trite, but that's really the essence of life, isn't it? He seemed to know that, and for that he should be known. Anyway, I'm so grateful that you took the time and initiative to ensure Tyree was remembered as a human being, and not just the victim of a senseless—and too soon forgotten—violent crime.

Rigby Biddle

SURFACE IS NO OPTION

EDITOR: In response to "Road Block" [Erica C. Barnett, April 26]: The state doesn't have to do anything to set up the "surface/transit" option for failure, as it is automatically set up to fail. Your graphic on The Stranger's home- page says it all—where are the drunk-ass Pioneer Square bums wandering in heavy traffic? Where are the gravel trucks? Where are all the tourists crossing in midblock dodging all those buses? Everyone knows Metro drivers won't stop for anything, including people. It's time to realize most Stranger readers will be affected extremely negatively by this nonoption. Surface-transit is a joke; the target is us.

Brian Richardson