Final Chapter In The Tale Of The 'Relentlessly Gay' Yard

The woman who began an online fundraising drive in June to decorate her yard with rainbows announced Tuesday that she is returning the $43,366 she raised.

“I ask you to take your donations back and give to local artists or educational nonprofit organizations,” homeowner Julie Baker wrote on her GoFundMe page on Aug. 18.

Baker started seeking donations June 16 through GoFundMe as a way “to make [her] home even more ‘relentlessly gay’” after she said her neighbor posted a note on her property criticizing her choice of rainbow decorations.

The note, which gained exposure after it was posted to Reddit, said: “Your yard is becoming relentlessly gay!” and stated Baker must “tone it down” or “I will be forced to call the police on you!”

Baker lives in Overlea, a suburb north of Baltimore City, on the residential street of Kenwood Avenue, which also includes a nearby church.

“This is a Christian area, and there are children,” the note said.

Within days, Baker raised more than $40,000 on GoFundMe to decorate her yard with more rainbow decor.

Baker said in late June that she was not going to touch the money due to questions about the campaign’s legitimacy, after questions arose—including from Snopes—about the letter.

“...I want to work to remove any doubt about the authenticity of the letter,” Baker wrote in late June. “Until then I am not taking a dime out of this account.”

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, Baker said she was returning the money not because of the questions but because of the logistics.

“While thousands donated and thousands more offered support, the truth is that this project went from an artistic snowball tossed in the face of hate to an avalanche,” Baker wrote on Aug. 18 on her GoFundMe page. “To deal with the debris, which includes taxes and an overabundance of resources, it is with a saddened heart that all donations will be returned.”

• $40K Later, ‘Relentlessly Gay’ Yard Unchanged
• Woman Responds To Neighbor Complaint Of ‘Relentlessly Gay’ Yard

Full Statement from Julie Baker, posted to GoFundMe Aug. 18

“A few months ago a fearful and ignorant act set off an avalanche. The avalanche was a thing of beauty, of support and of love. The snow kicked up into the sun and created a crystalline rainbow. Avalanches are relentless in their movement and breathtaking as they rumble down to the earth, shaking the ground. While thousands donated and thousands more offered support, the truth is that this project went from an artistic snow ball tossed in the face of hate to an avalanche. To deal with the debris, which includes taxes and an overabundance of resources it is with a saddened heart that all donations will be returned. If a time machine were available, it would have all ended at the original requested amount. It was never about the money but being happy in the face of intolerance. Do not for an instant think the support of spirit, art, love and monetary donations were for naught. A statement was heard across the globe, loud and clear was our avalanche. I ask you to take your donations back and give to local artists or educational nonprofit organizations.”

Pictured, the home where Baltimore County resident Julie Baker said she received a note about her rainbow decorations in Overlea. Photo Credit: Elizabeth Janney.