A Boise, Idaho, radio station that posted a Pride Month version of its logo in June is responding to critics by keeping the logo up for at least another month.
Classic rock station 96.9 The Eagle traditionally changes its eagle logo to include a rainbow flag as background for Pride Month and puts it on Facebook, the Idaho Statesman reports. Some listeners have made anti-LGBTQ+ comments, but the station isn't backing down.
"Flag stays up for another month, deal with it," the station posted on Facebook. "If we lose fans that's fine. If we keep getting harassed then it will go another month. Plus Freddie Mercury rules."
"The threat isn't idle," the Statesman notes. "In 2021, the station prolonged the campaign through summer, posting Aug. 2: 'We warned you, now the Pride Flag stays up another month.'"
Statesman columnist Michael Deeds questioned whether the station's support was a "publicity grab" or a "heartfelt gesture." He didn't have the answer, as officials with 96.9 owner Cumulus Media declined to be interviewed. But in any case, the situation has generated "an internet marketing sensation," he wrote.
"The post about leaving the rainbow flag up through July has received nearly 4,000 comments and 3,500 shares. So far," he noted last week. It's now up to 4,100 comments and 3,600 shares.
Some of the comments are negative, such as "It's a creepy trend you follow" and "Go woke! Go broke!" One even claimed that Pride flags and other symbols of identity "segregate" people.
But many are praising the station. "THiS is EPiC," one commenter wrote. "Never been to Boise Idaho but y'all are officially my FAVORITE station. Greetings from SF." Another said, "Much love from Texas! Thank you for supporting us! Found this station just because of this." And one noted, "Love the flag! Why don't you just leave it up all year, because Pride should be eternal!"
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