Gay on October 8th

[Hotpopporn]

I received the following email today:

Using conventional statistics up to twenty-seven million Americans identify as being primarily lesbian or gay. Yet no Federal law provides protection from discrimination in the workplace and many State and Federal laws prohibit access to the rights and responsibilities of marriage.

According to the Washington D.C.-based public relations firm Witeck-Combs Communications, the US Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) population contributed an estimated $500 billion to the U.S. marketplace in 2003, while The University of Georgia's Selig Center at the Terry College of Business estimates that the African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native-American markets contribute $688 billion, $653 billion, $344 billion, and $45 billion respectively.

"This event brings into focus the economic contribution of GLBT citizens," said Duncan. "And people understand money. The response so far has been tremendous."

Some major groups that have endorsed or encouraged Boycott for Equality Day include the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Don't Amend: The Equality Campaign, The Advocate magazine, Civil Marriage US, DC Diversity, Equality Illinois and Wyoming Equality.

October 8 falls on a Friday, and the following Monday is National Coming Out Day, Duncan explained. "It seemed like a great time to make our presence felt."

Duncan says that on October 8 GLBT Americans and their straight allies should not purchase anything, not generate sales tax or business revenue, not work (by taking the day off and not generate payroll taxes, income taxes or add to the economy) and not use cell phones.

Dropping out of the communication network is a way to measure the impact of your presence, Duncan says.

[Northstar]

That is a very good idea but how would you get the message out to everyone? It would be a great way that even closeted gay people could help out without the spotlight being put on them.

[Hotpopporn]

Sorry, here's the entire message:


Ever notice how were all equal when someone is taking our money, well of course we’re not all equal. Here is a way to send a message to Washington that all Americans should be treated equally.

As family and friends of Gay and Lesbian Americans, please join the Boycott on October 8th!
Gay Marriage Group Calls National Boycott
(New York City) An advocacy group for same-sex marriage is calling on gays and lesbians to stage a one-day boycott show the clout of the pink buck.

Estimates indicate that America's lesbian and gay population spends an average of $1.4 billion each day, totaling $500 billion a year.

Boycott For Equality is calling for a one-day nation-wide economic 'walkout' on October 8, 2004 to make that point clear.

Atlanta-based Boycott for Equality Co-Founder Dale Duncan says the one-day event would highlight the contribution that lesbians and gays make to the domestic economy and tax base, at the same time they are denied the full legal protections and civil liberties afforded heterosexual Americans.

"We want to remind those in our nation who don't always see the impact of our community in terms of dollars and cents that we do have real market power," said Duncan.

"We were inspired by Don't Amend Founder Robin Tyler's famous quip, 'If being gay is a disease, let's all call in sick to work' and decided to put those words into action."

Using conventional statistics up to twenty-seven million Americans identify as being primarily lesbian or gay. Yet no Federal law provides protection from discrimination in the workplace and many State and Federal laws prohibit access to the rights and responsibilities of marriage.

According to the Washington D.C.-based public relations firm Witeck-Combs Communications, the US Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) population contributed an estimated $500 billion to the U.S. marketplace in 2003, while The University of Georgia's Selig Center at the Terry College of Business estimates that the African-American, Hispanic, Asian and Native-American markets contribute $688 billion, $653 billion, $344 billion, and $45 billion respectively.

"This event brings into focus the economic contribution of GLBT citizens," said Duncan. "And people understand money. The response so far has been tremendous."

Some major groups that have endorsed or encouraged Boycott for Equality Day include the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, Don't Amend: The Equality Campaign, The Advocate magazine, Civil Marriage US, DC Diversity, Equality Illinois and Wyoming Equality.

October 8 falls on a Friday, and the following Monday is National Coming Out Day, Duncan explained. "It seemed like a great time to make our presence felt."

Duncan says that on October 8 GLBT Americans and their straight allies should not purchase anything, not generate sales tax or business revenue, not work (by taking the day off and not generate payroll taxes, income taxes or add to the economy) and not use cell phones.

Dropping out of the communication network is a way to measure the impact of your presence, Duncan says.

[Oh Sheila]

Originally posted by Hotpopporn


Duncan says that on October 8 GLBT Americans and their straight allies should not purchase anything, not generate sales tax or business revenue, not work (by taking the day off and not generate payroll taxes, income taxes or add to the economy) and not use cell phones.

That does sound very interesting, and although gay marriage SHOULD be legal, there is absolutely no reason why it shouldn't be, this level of boycott will be a tall order to fill.

[Bec]

I find those statistics interesting ... and we that live the life know full well that the numbers in the closet probably exceed those that are openly out ... i'd guesstimate 8 or 9 to one. There are still far too many of us that work in jobs that can't risk a "I'm Gay" statement, or stay closeted for a shitload of other reasons, family, location, and so on.

[mirepup]

Originally posted by Northstar
That is a very good idea but how would you get the message out to everyone?

Well, there's the monthly newsletter. It's encoded so that you have to lift every 7th word from the odd pages of Martha Stewart Living... but you knew that.

Also, we get Cher's backup dancers to spell it out in semaphore during the "Final Final Pen-ultimate Final Tour" on stage.

If it comes to a pinch, then we'll paint it on the chests of all the Abercrombie boys during the next photo shoot, I'm sure they'll be posted to a Yahoo group long before then....

For the lesbians... well, I'm sure Home Depot would put it on the receipts.

PLEASE NOTE: My tongue was firmly planted in my (cheek) during this post. :angel:

[Bec]

For the lesbians... well, I'm sure Home Depot would put it on the receipts

LMAO ... thing is, that would work LOL

[Hotpopporn]

Hey, I think it's great that my post had generated the dialog and banter, but my primary objective was to let people know about this protest and hopefully enlist additional participation.

Yes, I think it sounds like a good idea. How do you get the word out? Well, sending email and posting on boards like this are a couple of ways. And, mirepup, if you could arrange for an invite to the AF boys photo shoot, I would be forever grateful! They would certainly contribute in a major way to it's success.

Will it be successful? I guess we'll know on October 9th. But, I hope at least some of you will consider participating. For me, not making a cellphone call for 24 hours could prove to be a major challenge.

[mirepup]

Originally posted by Hotpopporn
Hey, I think it's great that my post had generated the dialog and banter, but my primary objective was to let people know about this protest and hopefully enlist additional participation.

Yep, not to worry. Between my smart-mouthing I did forward it to a bunch of friends. We're all in Canada, but have tons of friends across the border who we can enlist.

Thank you for bringing this to light. :egypt:

[Hotpopporn]

Originally posted by mirepup
Yep, not to worry. Between my smart-mouthing I did forward it to a bunch of friends. We're all in Canada, but have tons of friends across the border who we can enlist.

Thank you for bringing this to light. :egypt:

Thank you for forwarding it. It would be incredible if we could actually make a significant show of force.

[Lee]

I think thats a great idea and whats even better is that we will probably end up not spending a dime on the 8th because of hurricane Frances so it looks like mother nature is on our side too

Regards,

Lee