‘Relentlessly gay’ rainbow yard lady returns cash amid hoax claims

In June, we brought you the story of Baltimore woman Julie Baker, a widowed mother of four with a taste for colourful garden decorations who claimed she’d raised the ire of certain homophobic Christian neighbours.

In a social media post that soon gained traction worldwide and was reported by this and many other LGBT news sources, Baker said she had found a note posted through her front door by a neighbour, concerned at the multitude of rainbow decorations in her front yard.

Complaining that Baker’s yard was becoming “relentlessly gay”, the note demanded she “tone it down” as she lives in a “Christian area” and needs to have “respect for God.”

By the time the story hit news around the world, Baker had already set up a GoFundMe page, asking members of the public to donate money so that she could continue decorating her yard as colourfully as possible:

“Needless to say… I need more rainbows… Many, many more rainbows,” she wrote at the time.

So, I am starting this fundraiser so I can work to make my Home even More “relentlessly gay” If we go high enough, I will see if I can get a Rainbow Roof!

Because my invisible relentlessly gay rainbow dragon should live up there in style!

Thanks for your relentlessly gay support!”

Donations poured in – to the tune of $43,000 US – but slowed once suspicions were raised about the legitimacy of Baker’s claims. In late June, Queerty pointed out similarities between the spelling and phrasing used in the note sent through Baker’s door and the words she had written herself on her GoFundMe page. Local Baltimore detectives also said she was unable or unwilling to produce the note in question when they visited her.

Now, Baker has returned all $43,000 to those who donated it – and posted an update on her GoFundMe page in which she says she wishes she could go back in a ‘time machine’:

“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 organisations.”