The decision to move Seattle's annual gay pride celebration, Seattle Pride, to Seattle Center last year rather than keeping it in its traditional location on Capitol Hill was hotly debated by members of Seattle's gay community. The debate reached the UW campus, traditionally a center for gay pride.

Seattle Pride ultimately was held at Seattle Center, but a year later it seems that tradition may not have been the only legitimate gripe of the dissenters. The cost of the larger celebration was much higher, and it now appears that the proponents neglected this point in their exuberance for a more visible celebration.

As The Seattle Times reports, the organization that coordinated the event, Seattle Out and Proud, has filed for bankruptcy. The organization owes the city of Seattle $102,000 for the 2006 celebration, and it claims that without aid from sponsors it will be unable to repay the debt.

That one of Seattle's premier gay-rights organizations could crumble so easily is alarming to many members of the gay community.

Although Capitol Hill's GLBT Community Center is planning its second annual Queerfest, which reportedly attracted 20,000 to 30,000 people last year, a larger event may not take place.

Beyond the impact on the gay community, it is unacceptable for any private organization to leave the city $103,000 in the hole — Seattle Pride is not a city-organized function, and taxpayers should not be left with any obligation to cover cost overruns.

We hope that Queerfest will be a success this year and that the board members of Seattle Out and Proud will learn something about realistic event planning from the example of GLBT Community Center.