Put Your Money Where Your Pride Is

It may no longer be dominating local TV or front-page daily newspaper headlines, but the Hillsborough County Commission’s resolution not to support gay pride isn’t going away as a business issue.

Equality Florida has scheduled a town hall meeting Aug. 15 to kick off its planned “buycott” - an effort to spotlight and reward companies that take a visible stand on anti-gay bigotry. It’s the opposite of a boycott, where people send a message by refusing to spend money in a community or to buy goods or services from a specific vendor.

The group is asking patrons of retail shops, restaurants and service business such as barbershops and salons to poll the business owner about their position on diversity and anti-discrimination, said Nadine Smith, executive director of Equality Florida.

Owners who take a stand against discrimination will get a sticker to put in their windows and a “thank you” card for promoting diversity. “No thank you” cards will be handed out to businesses that do not have such policies, telling owners that the shopper plans to take his or her business elsewhere.

Equality Florida also will compile a list of larger firms in the Bay area with inclusive workplace policies.

The group plans to post the names of business supporters on a Web site, buycottfl.org. (source)

That’s the way to do it - put your money with businesses and places that support equality. If they won’t do that, you are BEING USED.

People will probably read this and assume that I’m putting my sexuality in people’s faces. I’m not. You see, I realize that everything is connected, in one way or another. If I support a business that is against marriage equality, or for the firing of people who are gay, or against anti-bullying legislation for gay students, it’s only a matter of time that the money I give them for my business will end up funding values that I’m against. You can direct where your money goes very easily. Simply find out what the values are of the places you do business, and act accordingly.

For example, before I stay at a hotel that I’m unfamiliar with, I will actually ask them if they have “a problem” with gay people. Or, I will ask them if they have a “non-discrimination policy” in regards to hiring gays. Perhaps I’m a bit on the fringe, but I’ve been on the receiving end of being fired for being gay and on the receiving end of gay bashing - I think I’m allowed to ask these questions.

This is also being done by the far Right as well. Businesses who are supportive of gay rights are being targeted as places not to do business with. Why is this happening?

Very simple. George W. Bush et al. have polarized this country to a point that everyone is choosing a side - left or right. There is no longer a middle ground. But still, this is democracy at work. It’s not the best example of democracy, but it is still democracy. The Constitution is still in place, until they decide that it needs to be done away with. Until that time, there’s still hope.

This kind of democracy is the same kind as the Christianity that is practiced by some most Christians; treat others like you would like to be treated, when it’s convenient. And if your neighbors happen to belong outside of your acceptable circle, go directly to Leviticus - do not pass Go! - do not collect $200!

On a lighter side, we very much enjoyed our trip to Block Island, although the trip was exhausting. I think we tried to do too much in too little time. But, I rode a “scooter” for the first time in my life, and it didn’t suck. I flunked my test the first time, but passed the second time.

On a sad note, Peter Jennings died yesterday. He was one of the finest news anchors in the business. I love listening to him, and I loved his compassion for equality. I will miss him.

Photo credit: Gino Domenico - AP