Collateral Damage

I am not a person who goes out there and is terribly vocal about what I believe in. I’m not big into confrontations and maybe that’s why. Here, though, is something I do believe in. And with vehemence. Gay rights. I shouldn’t just say “Gay rights” though. These rights, which I believe are general human rights expand the entire community of gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgendered people.

Right now, I feel like we’re on the brink of something. At the turn of the (last) century, people were fighting for women’s right to vote. Then there was the fight to gain the right to vote for black people. Now, we’re trying to extend the right to marriage to all peoples. Not just those that happen to want to marry someone of the opposite gender. I mean, who decided that marriage should only be for straight people? Also, who cares? Why is it anyone else business who marries who? Does it hurt you in any way if a same sex couple marries? No. Just because it makes some people uncomfortable (which is sad but that’s a person’s right to be comfortable or uncomfortable with whatever) doesn’t give them the right to dictate whether or not they can marry.

What’s my reason and point? Well, on Facebook there is a group asking people to basically boycott everything for a day. If you don’t have Facebook, just look below the cut for more info! I really hope you join in because, really, there’s just no excuse.

A DAY WITHOUT GAYS
A nationwide Strike and Boycott in support of Marriage as a Right for ALL Time and Place Start Time: Wednesday, December 10, 2008 at 12:00am
End Time: Thursday, December 11, 2008 at 12:00am
Location: Across the United States
Street: Main Street

We are calling for a nationwide strike and economic boycott by all Gays and Lesbians AND OUR ALLIES, whether straight, bisexual or transgendered, on December 10th, 2008, International Human Rights Day.

WHY?

Because LGBT workers, business owners, consumers and taxpayers contribute over $700 billion to the U.S. economy each year and should not be treated as second class citizens.

Because general strikes and economic boycotts are a powerful weapon in the history of non-violent protests. See http://www.pbs.org/now/society/boycott.html.

Because marriage should be a Right for all Americans, including gay men and lesbians, regardless of gender, race OR religion.

Because until ALL are equal, NONE are equal.

HOW?

1. Strike: call in gay, shut down your business, take the day off. While this may be a burden, we must be willing to make sacrifices in our fight for equal rights, including the right to marry.

2. Boycott: don’t buy or spend to show how much the LGBT dollar supports the American economy.

3. Volunteer: show the world that our message is about love, not discrimination. See www.daywithoutagay.net for a list of volunteer opportunities.

4. Communicate: spread the word. We need everyone’s support.

Our co-sponsors include:
JOINTHEIMPACT.COM
DAYWITHOUTAGAY.COM
DAYWITHOUTAGAY.NET
GAYS ON STRIKE (on Facebook)

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