Day Without a Gay (Prop 8) Asks Supporters to Volunteer (Dec 10)

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.cityonahillpress.com/article.php?id=1480


Erin Yazgan
Gender/Sexuality Reporter

Where would America be without some of its citizens?

In response to the passing of Proposition 8, the movement Day Without a Gay asks supporters of same-sex marriage to strike from work, boycott businesses, and participate in activist work on Dec. 10. Day Without a Gay, which includes all supporters of same-sex marriage, regardless of sexual orientation, is scheduled on the same day as Human Rights Day.

The Day Without a Gay campaign has estimated that LGBT workers, consumers, business owners and taxpayers contribute about $700 billion to the economy each year, the absence of which would certainly draw attention in an already struggling financial situation. The movement was also modeled after Day Without an Immigrant in May 2006, in which supporters of undocumented immigrants boycotted businesses to demonstrate the extent to which undocumented labor is needed for the U.S. economy.



Sean Hetherington, West Hollywood comedian and founder of Day Without a Gay, started the movement because he was tired of mourning the passing of Proposition 8.

“My boyfriend and I just got tired of feeling bad about it all,” Hetherington said. “We felt really helpless.”

While many believe that Day Without a Gay is about skipping out of work and not buying anything, Hetherington said that the campaign is an opportunity for same-sex marriage supporters to be active by volunteering at an LGBT center or writing a letter to a politician.

“Do what really makes you feel well,” Hetherington said. “Do what gives you purpose. Serve the community that you feel you’re best suited to.”

FULL story at link.