Gays Urged To Boycott Virginia

(Richmond, Virginia) Two groups have formed to convince LGBT travelers to boycott the state of Virginia following the passage of a law banning gay marriage, civil unions and all other same-sex partnerships.

The law is considered the most repressive legislation in the country for gay couples and their children.

A website is calling on people not only to boycott Virginia as a tourist destination but also to pass up products made in the state.

VirginiaisforHaters.org is the brainchild of Jay Porter and his partner David Smith who live in Seattle. The website name plays on the state's tourism motto, "Virginia is for Lovers." Porter says the state law is of concern for all Americans.

He points to clothing company J.Crew which markets across the country but has a customer service and distribution center in Lynchburg, Va.

The second group is specifically targeting the 400th anniversary celebration of the founding of Jamestown in 2007. Virginia is expecting millions of visitors for the yearlong event.

Make Love Legal says it hopes to put a dent in the billions of dollars the state stands to bring in as a result of the celebration.

"This whole idea is: Don't spend your money in a place where people hurt you," Diane Horvath, the Richmond attorney who is behind Make Love told the Pilot newspaper.

Virginia already had a so-called Defense of Marriage law when the new bill arrived on the desk of Gov. Mark R. Warner. Attempts by Warner were rebuffed by the legislature, and in April the original act was passed a second time leaving the governor no choice but to sign it. (story)

Virginia's leading gay rights organization, Equality Virginia, is planning a legal challenge, as well as statewide protests on June 30, the day before the law takes effect.

http://www.365gay.com/newscon04/06/061104vaBoycott.htm

Thats one way to get the point across i guess :thumbsup:

Regards,

Lee