One in two households bank with Bank of America. I bank with them. Coincidentally, they were a very vocal opponent of the "bailout". They neither needed or wanted the 25$ billion, and have stated no intention of using it. For that I have mixed emotions about making a statement that includes them. I wouldn't think twice about putting Radio Shack, Dominos or BP Oil out of business for their anti gay and pro-life positions they guard so closely. I'll take the money out. But, someone please let me know when it's Wednesday?
its officially wednesday on the east coast anyway:) bank of america prolly wants all of those other banks to fail so they can either gobble them up or buy up their good loans. i know, i know, how cynical of me! ive never used real banks because they charge fees.
Really, I love a good "sit in". Strike, protest, boycott, I really think they can be an effective tool, IF the message is clearly known and widespread. We won't likely change the majorities religious beliefs and basic ideologies, but they sure get whiney when their financial bottomline is twittered with.
yep did you notice how quickly the mormon folks responded? what really boggled me was that, despite the amount of money they funneled into prop 8 their spokeman had the blankheaded gall to say, hey calm down we need to be able to speak to each other civilly. really? geesh you mean he didnt like having something taken away from him based on his religion but its okey dokey to take things away from us based on sexual orientation? clearly he doesnt get it. the focus is on the catholic church now. i say we stand out in front of all of them looking mean and ugly and keep the collection plates from being passed for a few months.
A side note, seems Governor Crist is intending on going forward with his shammarriage this Friday.The ceremony is at First Methodist across from Williams Park around midday and the early reception is being held at the Renaissance Vinoy. There's a rally, (I have NO idea of how small or large) but a protest is planned at the blessed (sic) event protesting Floridas NOW Constitutional ban on gay marriage. I can only wonder if he plans to withdraw the cash Wednesday yet go through with the wedding Friday?
Join The Impact, the online community that launched protests last month over the passage of gay marriage bans in California, Florida and Arizona, has urged people to withdraw $80 from their bank accounts Wednesday to demonstrate gays' spending power,
I will do this.
it might be more effective if we all took the 80 bucks and sent it somewhere where it might make our voices a bit louder.
Witeck-Combs Communications, a public relations firm in Washington that specializes in the gay and lesbian market, published a study this year that estimated that gay and lesbian consumers spend $700 billion annually.
I wonder if this is globally, or just in the US. I'm guessing globally, but ... one never knows, hey? Are they going to call this "The Gay Bail Out?"
lol
uh huh. now if maybe we took that money and put it in a "gay" bank. there used to be 2 online banks. i dont know if they have survived the latest turmoil. anyone know?
Join The Impact, the online community that launched protests last month over the passage of gay marriage bans in California, Florida and Arizona, has urged people to withdraw $80 from their bank accounts Wednesday to demonstrate gays' spending power,
I will do this.
Witeck-Combs Communications, a public relations firm in Washington that specializes in the gay and lesbian market, published a study this year that estimated that gay and lesbian consumers spend $700 billion annually.
I wonder if this is globally, or just in the US. I'm guessing globally, but ... one never knows, hey? Are they going to call this "The Gay Bail Out?"
One in two households bank with Bank of America. I bank with them. Coincidentally, they were a very vocal opponent of the "bailout". They neither needed or wanted the 25$ billion, and have stated no intention of using it. For that I have mixed emotions about making a statement that includes them. I wouldn't think twice about putting Radio Shack, Dominos or BP Oil out of business for their anti gay and pro-life positions they guard so closely. I'll take the money out. But, someone please let me know when it's Wednesday?
Really, I love a good "sit in". Strike, protest, boycott, I really think they can be an effective tool, IF the message is clearly known and widespread. We won't likely change the majorities religious beliefs and basic ideologies, but they sure get whiney when their financial bottomline is twittered with.
If the move is effective BOA will still have the 25 bill of the Fed money to tap into. Now, that will effectively make it a "gay bailout".;)
A side note, seems Governor Crist is intending on going forward with his shammarriage this Friday.The ceremony is at First Methodist across from Williams Park around midday and the early reception is being held at the Renaissance Vinoy. There's a rally, (I have NO idea of how small or large) but a protest is planned at the blessed (sic) event protesting Floridas NOW Constitutional ban on gay marriage. I can only wonder if he plans to withdraw the cash Wednesday yet go through with the wedding Friday?
Join The Impact, the online community that launched protests last month over the passage of gay marriage bans in California, Florida and Arizona, has urged people to withdraw $80 from their bank accounts Wednesday to demonstrate gays' spending power,
I will do this.
Witeck-Combs Communications, a public relations firm in Washington that specializes in the gay and lesbian market, published a study this year that estimated that gay and lesbian consumers spend $700 billion annually.
I wonder if this is globally, or just in the US. I'm guessing globally, but ... one never knows, hey? Are they going to call this "The Gay Bail Out?"
im not much of a fan of the one day economic protest. mostly what you dont buy on monday youll buy on tuesday so these things have little impact but calling in gay? hmmm its not so much the lost economic impact from those who will do community service wednesday as it is the awareness of how much we all contribute to society. aww heck it cant hurt and so why not?
Calling In 'Gay' to Work Is Latest Form of Protest
Monday, December 08, 2008
SAN FRANCISCO Some same-sex marriage supporters are urging people to "call in gay" Wednesday to show how much the country relies on gays and lesbians, but others question whether it's wise to encourage skipping work given the nation's economic distress.
Organizers of "Day Without a Gay" scheduled to coincide with International Human Rights Day and modeled after similar work stoppages by Latino immigrants also are encouraging people to perform volunteer work and refrain from spending money.
Sean Hetherington, a West Hollywood comedian and personal trainer, dreamed up the idea with his boyfriend, Aaron Hartzler, after reading online that a few angry gay-rights activists were calling for a daylong strike to protest California voters' passage last month of Proposition 8, which reversed this year's state Supreme Court decision allowing gay marriage.
The couple thought it would be more effective and less divisive if people were asked to perform community service instead of staying home with their wallets shut. Dozens of nonprofit agencies, from the National Women's Law Center in Washington to a Methodist church in Fresno collecting food for the homeless, have posted opportunities for volunteers on the couple's Web site.
"We are all for a boycott if that is what brings about a sense of community for people," said Hetherington, 30, who plans to spend Wednesday volunteering at an inner-city school. "You can take away from the economy and give back in other ways."
Hetherington said he's been getting 100 e-mails an hour from people looking for volunteer opportunities, and that his "Day Without a Gay" Web site has gotten 100,000 hits since mid-November.
Despite Hartzler and Hetherington's attempt to fashion a positive approach, some organizers of the street demonstrations that drew massive crowds in many cities last month have been reluctant to embrace the concept, saying that it could be at best impractical and at worst counterproductive to "call in gay."
"It's extra-challenging for people to think about taking off work as a form of protest, given that we are talking about people who may not be out (as gay) at work, and given the current economic situation and job market," said Jules Graves, 38, coordinator of the Colorado Queer Straight Alliance. "There is really not any assurance employers would appreciate it for what it is."
Graves' group nonetheless is arranging for interested participants to volunteer at the local African Community Center in Denver. The agency said it could find projects to keep 20 people busy, but so far only 10 have pledged to show up, said Graves.
Scott Craig, a fifth-grade teacher at Independence Charter School in Philadelphia, had no problem requesting and being granted the day off. So many of the school's 60 teachers were eager to show support for gay rights they had to make sure enough stayed behind to staff classrooms.
About 25 teachers plan to take Wednesday off and to have their work covered by substitutes while they discuss ways to introduce gay issues to their students and volunteer at the local branch of the American Civil Liberties Union, Craig said. A letter telling parents why so many teachers would be out went home Monday.
"We want to get the conversation going in the community that gay is not bad," Craig said. "For kids to hear that in a positive light can be life-changing."
Join The Impact, the online community that launched protests last month over the passage of gay marriage bans in California, Florida and Arizona, has urged people to withdraw $80 from their bank accounts Wednesday to demonstrate gays' spending power, and to devote the time they might otherwise spend watching TV or surfing the Internet to volunteer work.
Witeck-Combs Communications, a public relations firm in Washington that specializes in the gay and lesbian market, published a study this year that estimated that gay and lesbian consumers spend $700 billion annually.
Bob Witeck, the firm's chief executive officer, said it would be difficult to measure the success of Wednesday's strike since gay employees occupy so many fields. And rather than suspending all consumer spending for the day, gay rights supporters would have a bigger impact if they devoted their dollars to gay-friendly businesses year-round, Witeck said.
"Our community leaders who are running book stores, newspapers, flower shops, coffee houses, bars and many, many other things are hurting right now, so paying attention to their needs during this hard time is an effective form of activism," he said.
Hetherington said he has been careful to design A Day Without a Gay he came up with the name after the film "A Day Without a Mexican" and liked it because it rhymed so no one feels excluded or threatened.
He has specifically urged high school students not to walk out of their classes and assured college students they won't be disloyal to the cause if they go ahead and take their final exams. He also has listed opportunities ranging from writing letters to members of Congress about federal gay rights legislation to spreading the word about Wednesday on social networking sites for gay marriage backers who cannot miss work.
