Our View: Tolerance building

The billboard campaign built with a sense of suspense.

Up went seven billboards across the city early in May. They carried the photographs of 14 Spokane residents and the words “Hi Spokane! We’re your family, friends and neighbors!”

Two weeks later, these words were added: “SOME of us are gay …”

And finally, as June began, this line appeared: “ALL of us deserve equal rights.”

It was a public awareness campaign from OutSpokane, the organization that sponsors the city’s annual Pride Parade and Rainbow Festival here each June. It reminded Spokane residents they can’t always be sure who’s gay in this city, and the campaign itself became one more visible sign of the growing acceptance and tolerance in Spokane.

Perhaps it’s no surprise that last weekend’s Pride Parade, the city’s largest and most successful ever, took place in a year when the local economy continues to flourish. Sophisticated, innovative companies seek out cities that welcome the diversity of a talented, high-energy work force. As Spokane’s consciousness grows, so does its economy.

When gay residents can be honest about who they are and who they love, the entire city also becomes a healthier and culturally richer place to live.

The changes here have been gradual, yet significant.

Now many teens find the process of accepting and expressing their sexual orientation, if not easy, at least considerably less tortured than in the past. As one of the top causes of teen suicide declines, so will the associated costs of medical care, loss of life and lost potential.

Subtler changes include these: At local fundraisers these days, gay couples find it easier to step out on the dance floor together. Hate signs weren’t evident at last week’s parade. And a billboard campaign that was considered too controversial in Georgia ran without significant resistance here in Spokane.

Anger and prejudice haven’t disappeared entirely. Gay teens still sometimes face harassment at school. The company that ran OutSpokane’s billboards received several calls from people who felt offended. Too many gay employees remain closeted in this city because they fear losing their jobs.

But the negative reactions appear to be muting.

And local gay couples report that even if tradition-bound Spokane doesn’t exactly throw out a welcome mat, this community has become a relatively safe and good place for them to live. Much work on gay equality issues, such as marriage, military service and domestic-partner benefits, remains to be done.

But if you weren’t one of the estimated 1,200 people who showed up for last week’s Pride Parade, there’s still time – and plenty of reason – to celebrate.