Nattering nabobs…

On December 10, grassroots activists are hoping that Day Without a Gay will make a nationwide impact as a protest for marriage equality.

On December 10th, we are supporting Day Without a Gay.
We are calling for a nationwide strike and economic boycott by all members of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community AND OUR STRAIGHT ALLIES on December 10th, 2008, International Human Rights Day.

WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

STRIKE: call in gay, shut down your business, or just take the day off.

BOYCOTT: don’t buy anything, spend money or support the economy.

PARTICIPATE: Volunteer and/or organize a protest in your area. Our community contributes $700 billion a year to this economy (the same amount as the bailout), yet we are not given equal protections under the law that every citizen deserves. As such, it is time we make a stand. During the largest shopping season of the year, we ask that you do one very important thing: Don’t Buy Anything! What would happen to this world if the LGBTQ community didn’t exist? Why is it that we continue to contribute to an economy and government that does not contribute to us? Let’s answer these questions on December 10th. 

Unfortunately, I’ve been running across a lot of negative opinions from the LGBT community regarding this event. It seems that the “nattering nabobs of negativism” that disgraced U.S. Vice President Spiro Agnew spoke about in 1970 are still with us.

Most of the arguments against Day Without a Gay are being made by people who simply don’t understand the concept. They are concerned that:

• Calling in sick will harm gay-friendly employers
• Boycotts don’t work
• The event will make LGBT people “invisible” for a day
• No one will notice if a small percentage of the workforce goes on strike for one day
• The event will cause a backlash against LGBT workers

Sadly, the real reason why this event is doomed to failure is that most LGBT don’t have the courage and commitment to make it work. They simply aren’t willing to risk their jobs in order to attain equal rights.

That’s how it was with the first Civil Rights Movement, too. The boycotts and strikes didn’t take place until late in the movement. In 1960, the first sit-in and boycotts started taking place. They were started by college students who were getting impatient waiting for their leaders to achieve desegregation of businesses.

Today, were witnessing a similar pattern. Young people are using the Internet to organize innovative actions. They aren’t waiting for the “gay establishment” to organize rallies and simlar events.

All I have to say to the folks who feel the need to be critical is, “Shut the fuck up and DO SOMETHING!”

Instead of whining that you think Day Without a Gay won’t work, organize a protest that you think may get better results. Create a Facebook page and start sending e-mail messages. Visit popular blogs and get the word out.

YOU are the movement! YOU can make a difference!