This article published by Source One News
Wenatchee-based LGBTQ+ group says it has fully funded a year-long billboard installation in East Wenatchee, marking a new and highly visible effort to support LGBTQ+ visibility in the region following a contentious city policy change.
Members of OUT North Central Washington announced that the billboard has been paid for in full and that a contract has been signed, with installation expected during the week of May 4. While organizers confirmed the billboard will be placed in a prominent, high-traffic location seen by thousands, they are intentionally withholding the exact site for now.
Group members said the decision to keep the location confidential is aimed at preventing potential vandalism or interference with the billboard company prior to installation.
The campaign comes in direct response to a decision by the East Wenatchee City Council to revise its banner policy earlier this year, a move critics say effectively excluded rainbow-themed diversity banners during Pride Month in June. In response, OUT North Central Washington and its partners opted to pursue a privately funded billboard as an alternative way to maintain visibility.
Organizers say the project is part of a broader effort to support marginalized communities across North Central Washington. The group has also partnered with other nonprofit organizations and faith leaders to form a regional coalition focused on increasing visibility, sharing resources, and advancing a unified mission of inclusion.
The final billboard design has not yet been revealed. Instead, organizers plan to release several design options to the public, allowing community members to vote on their preferred version. That poll is expected to launch during the first week of April.
According to the group, fundraising efforts have already exceeded the initial goal needed to secure the first billboard. Additional donations collected moving forward will go toward funding a second billboard, potentially expanding the campaign’s reach elsewhere in North Central Washington.
Organizers are continuing to encourage community members and supporters to contribute to the effort, saying the campaign reflects a broader commitment to standing against hatred, bullying, and discrimination while promoting equity and visibility throughout the region.
