Palm Springs Community Rallies Behind Restaurant Owner Ordered to Remove Pride Poster

PALM SPRINGS, California — Community members and allies gathered in large numbers outside Saffron Restaurant and Lounge on North Palm Canyon Drive to voice their unwavering support for the establishment's owner. The grassroots demonstration was organized rapidly after the restaurant's owner, Ashley Stein, revealed that her landlord had officially ordered her to dismantle a Pride poster prominently displayed at the front of her business.

Stein initially put up the inclusive signage last year as a public declaration of solidarity with the local LGBTQ+ community. However, she reported receiving an explicit directive from property management demanding its immediate removal. The landlord's decision sparked swift concern among neighbors and patrons, prompting a peaceful assembly along the Uptown Palm Springs commercial corridor to protest the action.

Dozens of local residents turned out for the evening gathering, asserting that visual displays of inclusion are deeply meaningful within the desert community. Supporters noted that such posters serve as an essential beacon of safety and acceptance for LGBTQ+ individuals of all generations, offering comfort to those who are openly out as well as those who may still be in the closet. Advocates at the rally emphasized that maintaining visible safe spaces remains vital to preserving the diverse and welcoming cultural fabric of Palm Springs.

UPDATE: (Comment sent from Tim Brinkman

Building owner) This issue has never been about Pride or the LBBTQ+ community. the issue has always been the placement of displays in common areas of the property, and the same standards apply to all tenants.

In fact, this discussion regarding exterior displays has been ongoing for more than a year and has included non-political items such as purple artificial flowers. On June 5, the tenant's business partner informed us that the posters and banners would be removed, and we believed the matter had been resolved. Ashley was NEVER "ordered" to take down anything!

The property itself proudly displays Pride flags. We have worked with the tenant despite more than $135,000 in unpaid rent.

This is a routine property management matter, not discrimination, and we believe the public deserves full context.

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