While political leaders at City Hall reckon with myriad controversies about Airbnb not paying enough local taxes, enforcement of weak existing rules for the tech giant regarding private housing stock available for short term rentals, evidence that the company adds to the housing crisis because of rental stock removed from the reach of local low income and long-term residents, I received an invitation today to take advantage of Airbnb's services. Nice of SF Pride and Airbnb to ask me to a party but, no thanks.
In 2014, SF Pride sowed divisiveness when it accepted a $100,000 donation from Airbnb without any public debate allowed first. It's my hope that there is zap or picket of this event on Tuesday, May 26th.
For longtime San Francisco residents such as Mike and myself, we know the City cannot be "saved" as many Mission housing activists have been demanding. We can only hope to salvage vestiges of what existed before the Tech Boom disfigured the Mission, and fight like hell to keep low and moderate income folks in their homes.
I'm no longer attending SF Pride board or membership meetings because there is so little impact I or other members can have, and when the actual parade and weekend celebration roll around the events are so overwhelmed with corporate sponsorship or merchandising targeting LGBT dollars to expand their profits, or firms dominate legacy and social media coverage, while the parade is front-loaded with elected officials and law enforcement contingents. Not my idea of Queer Pride.
This Airbnb link is one additional reason I don't give my time and energy or support to SF Pride. Here's the invitation:
SF Pride is fast approaching, and thousands of visitors are looking for places to stay for the weekend. If you're lucky enough to live in the Bay Area, there's never been a better time to try Airbnb and #HostWithPride!
As the Official Alternative Accommodation partner for SF Pride, Airbnb invites you to be our guest and to learn about hosting! Join us at the #HostwithPride meetup in San Francisco, to hear from hosts in San Francisco, meet new people, and get your questions answered.
Where: Airbnb HQ, 888 Brannan Street
When: 5/26
Time: 6:30pm - 8:30pm
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