I found a great way to support businesses owned/run by the GLBT community.

[Bouncy Ball]

I happened to find a weekly paper here I've never seen before called the Dallas Voice. It's filled with articles of GLBT concern and I noticed the businesses that advertise in it seem to be either gay owned or supportive of gay rights (or they wouldn't advertise in this paper!).

I didn't even know this existed! What a great way to support these businesses!

Anyway, if you don't know of a similar publication in your city, look around. I found this at Whole Foods, but I've never seen it anywhere else.

[Mend]

1. Our gay friends have a business we have supported for years

but they are committed republicans. It is hard in the face of their politics to continue to bring them our business.

[Bouncy Ball]

2. Oooo that's a tough one!

I'd have to find a business that was gay-owned that ISN'T republican.

[Patiod]

3. Not for me

I support locally owned businesses over big chains no matter the politics of the owners.

I don't ask the politics of my local family-run hardware store, and don't care. I ALWAYS go there first before trying Lowe's. Same with my coffee vendor - I appreciate many of Starbuck's progressive practices, but I buy my expresso at the local coffee stand which is owned by local folks. I buy my jewelry from one of two local artisan's cooperatives.

A restaurant near my house is owned by a Republican committeeman (I know him - I talk to the guy at the polls and he's a decent Republican, not a hateful Freeper). I'll eat there before I'll eat at the Bluest of chains. I want that dollar to support local little league, I want that dollar to get spent at the Conshohocken bakery or Anthony's Barber Shop or get put in the collection basket at St. Matthew's, and not sent to headquarters somewhere. I want my dollar to stay in my community as much as possilbe, and I want Americans to be OWNERS not MANAGER/WAGE SLAVES, not even for the best and most progressive of big chains.

Sorry for the rant (and I realize I'm blessed to live in a town and work in a city where it is still POSSIBLE to buy locally, because I know that sadly, it's not possilbe everywhere). Also, I've tried to change to Blue wherever possible when I do buy "chain" - I've stopped staying at Marriotts and now stay at either Hyatts or Hiltons.

On edit - should note that I do patronize local business owned by Dems or Progressives before patronizing local Republicans!