I knew I didn't dream this.....

[keltic63]

Gay "stay at home" Day (http://www.queerday.com/2004/sep/03/boycott_urges_gay_people_to_stay_home_on_oct_8.htm l)

Boycott for Equality, a group that now appears to be defunct, made a call for LGBT people to boycott work, purchases, and cell phone usage for one day back in Oct, 2004. It's an interesting idea, but I question the effectiveness of it. I also think that so many people just can't afford to do this. I'm not saying we shouldn't sacrifice some things, but how many people can afford to lose a job? especially if the boycott lacks focus, or has no immediate outcome in mind.

anyway, I'm happy I finally found mention of the idea online.

also mentioned here (http://www.commonplacebook.com/current_events/politics/boycott_for_equ.shtm)
and here (http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20040922-092759-8390r.htm)

[Vanessa White]

I never doubt the impact like boycotts and action like that could potentially have on our country and its citizens. But, the danger is in doing it through that means is all we do is anger people because they are incovenienced, lose business, etc., and then I don't think they really care about the point of why we did it at all. I often think that people today (including myself) are so in a hurry to get done what they (I) need to that I lose sight of what the real meaning of what I am doing is. I am hoping the the ER will create a forum here at SF or elsewhere, of other actions that we can participate in that leave us feeling connected and making some strides of some sort.

[awediot]

I agree that all we'd do is cut our own throats and provoke rancor by a boycott or walk out. I'd guess few are in that kind of position to withstand the fallout.

Does anybody remember, (or may have been a one of keltics dreams seeping in to my head) Gay Money? Where every bill that passed through our perverted little hands got a stamp, that would only metaphorically rub off. Productive or meaningless or not, it would be fun to watch little indelible pink triangles proliferate in tills across the country...:p

[keltic63]

Gay Money

from the Washington Times (first link, from above) :
Group co-founder Dale Duncan said, "Let them know you participated in the boycott. Just take your ATM receipt, cross out your account number, circle your balance, write 'GAY MONEY' on it and mail it to campaign headquarters in the postage-paid envelope they provide. They'll get the message that nobody in America can be taken for granted."
The $80 amount represents how much the average member of the gay and lesbian community is estimated to contribute to the U.S. economy each day in spending. For 2003, this was estimated to total $1.4 billion each day, and top $500 billion for the year, according to computations by Washington D.C.-based Witeck-Combs Communications, a public-relations company that researches gay spending trends.



yes, awediot, it would be fun watching all that money with pink triangles go places. it would also be fun to track those bucks, like "Where's George?"

[Mia14]

OMG!! That could be awesome!! Working at a cashier, I could do some major work...

hehehe... (as the devil horns grow and the ideas form)

But seriously, what an impact that would be!

[pnggrad79]

You know if gays and lesbians did a walk out like the immigrants have done, and shut down a few businesses, maybe we would get our message across. I love the idea of gay money. That is great. I wish we could unite and do this. The EQ riders went into a hostile environment openly, willingly and unashamedly. Whatever the fall out-this still remains true-nothing ever gets changed if we think, "well someone else will do it".

I was so angry last November when I asked how many of my church's people actually voted against the anti-gay marriage amendment here in TX, and out of 25, only my wife and I went to vote. Most of them are not partnered and it wasn't relevant to them, or so they said. I was livid. I said, "If you ever want to get married or have children, grow up and stop bedhopping, it might be important to you!"

Problem is we are not united, and I hate to say this, but some just don't give a flying flip. This needs to be done and done with fervor and vigor.

Let's go for it. Gay money, gay boycott, let's do it. Where do I sign up?

[Sharieab]

I love the idea of gay money. That's awesome. When we had the vote here, a lot of my friends didn't vote at all either. I was rather upset at them, b/c we are a huge group in my area. I think there was 2 of us that voted. I voted, even though I at the time never thought I would never want to get married. Its the point of the fact that they even proposed a law, not the fact of it effecting me, b/c it will b/c i'm part of the gay community. Ok... getting off my soapbox.