Sweden: Auction of rainbow ‘GayStation 4’ console raises thousands for LGBT charity
The auction of a special rainbow-coloured PlayStation 4 has raised thousands for a Swedish gay rights charity, after it sold for more than ten times its U.S. retail price.
Retailer Webhallen placed the unique “Sony GayStation 4” on auction at the end of July, to coincide with the 2014 Stockholm Gay Pride week.
The name is taken from a phrase initially used as a derogatory term against PlayStation users by those who favoured other rival systems. The console was marketed with the hashtag #ThisIsForTheGaymers.
Webhallen said that to “a lot of youths, gaming is a helping hand to escape from abuse or worse in the real world”, and that, as “gamers in our hearts and souls”, Webhallen want “everyone to be a part of the world’s fastest growing hobby”.
28 bidders took part in the online auction, with only two users, Pumpkaboo and DanneSkön, remaining after the 20,000 kr mark. The auction was eventually won by Pumpkaboo.
The winning bid of 28,300 Swedish kroner is the equivalent of over £2400 or US $4100. A standard issue (black) PlayStation 4 retails for closer to £350 or $400.
All of the proceeds from this auction will now be given to RSFL Newcomers network, a branch of the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Rights which aims to help LGBTQ refugees and migrants.
