News

2004-09-15

Salt Lake City Weekly

Money Talks

Jamie Gadette

Money Talks

But local gay activists have differing views about the Boycott for Equality.

by Jamie Gadette

Rosa Parks had no intention of sparking a revolution. However, the black seamstress’ refusal to turn her bus seat over to a white man inspired one of the most significant and effective events of the Civil Rights Movement. Now, nearly 50 years later, Atlanta public school teacher Dale Duncan hopes to make similar strides against discrimination with Boycott for Equality, a nationwide economic boycott designed to protest proposed bans on gay marriage. The event asks gay and lesbian workers and business owners not to buy, sell, earn money or otherwise contribute to the economy on Oct. 8. It could send a powerful message to policy makers bent on limiting equal rights. Then again, judging by reactions from Utah’s GLBT community, it’s unlikely to inspire any dramatic change at all.

Local business owner Alan Hebertson thinks that while the boycott seems like a good idea, the prospect of temporarily closing his doors is troublesome. “I think the impact of not selling anything for a day would be much harder on me than it would on anyone who [opposes gay rights],” he said. “It would be easier not to go anywhere run by straight people.”

In addition to financial concerns, Hebertson is hesitant to inconvenience loyal patrons. His shop, the Coffee Garden, attracts a diverse clientele and is especially popular among members of the GLBT community. He doesn’t see how turning away open-minded individuals will help combat discrimination. On the other hand, his respect for Duncan is strong. In contrast to local responses to Amendment 3, Utah’s proposed state constitutional amendment aimed at prohibiting gay marriage, Boycott for Equality is sending an admirable message.

Hebertson is offended by signs pitched around town (including one in his own front yard), emblazoned by a slogan he sees as validation for preexisting prejudice. “‘It Goes Too Far’ makes it sound like it’s OK to go at all,” he said. “How could we ever let this get started?”

That’s a question people have been asking since May when President George W. Bush endorsed the Federal Marriage Amendment, an appendage to the U.S. Constitution that would define marriage as a union between one man and one woman. While FMA’s fate hangs in the balance, activists rally to squash anti-gay sentiment before it’s etched in the nation’s foremost legal document.

Duncan’s initial response was to increase donations to his favorite activist groups. After some thought, however, he realized it would be more effective to pull out of the economy altogether. “We can go through our lives invisible, or we can turn that invisibility into power,” he said.

Upon forming Boycott for Equality, Duncan found a substitute to temporarily fulfill his duties as a teacher. While his leave of absence will be unpaid, he understands why people like Hebertson won’t risk a blow to their finances. “Taking a lead position is difficult,” he said. Over the past few weeks, business owners across the country have jumped on board, agreeing to take a hit for the greater good. Utah has yet to add its name to the growing list of supporters.

Chad Beyer, executive director for the GLBT Community Center of Utah, personally backs the boycott. Responding to questions about why support for the boycott is lukewarm in Utah, Beyer said, “Some people may be uncomfortable because they don’t want to divert their limited energy into another political campaign.” GLBTCCU staff members are busy devoting vital services to the community, including a youth outreach program intended for students underserved by the public-school system. On top of their usual commitments, they are overwhelmed by additional concerns regarding harmful ballot initiatives.

“People are working their hardest to represent what makes sense. They don’t want discrimination written into the [state] Constitution,” he said, adding that, “Gay and lesbian couples will still get married. It’s a matter of whether the rights that are granted to heterosexual married couples will be extended to those in our society whose marriages are not recognized.”

Equality Utah, a local GLBT political-advocacy group, discussed Duncan’s boycott at a Sept. 7 board meeting. After much consideration, its members opted to pass on an official endorsement. “If people feel they need to take action that way and put a meaning behind it, then I encourage them to do so. We’re just not supporting it as an organization,” said Michael Mitchell, the group’s executive director.

Like Hebertson, Mitchell thinks there are better ways to protest hurtful legislation. “I would really love it if people would take a day to be ‘out’ at work, making sure they have pictures of their partners up around the office,” he said, adding that such actions help supplement those taken on National Coming Out Day.

But Duncan wants more than confident displays of self-expression. He prefers noisier confrontation such as those by activists who fought against the use of Olympic venues in an anti-gay Atlanta suburb. They succeeded with little official support, a feat Duncan hopes to mimic.

“Each one of us can make a difference. In 2000, we saw what our individual votes really meant in the presidential election,” Duncan said. “Perhaps some of those who stayed home that day now wish they had made a different decision.

“The only questions the GLBT community seems to feel are unanswered are, ‘Will we do it? Will we make the sacrifice? Will we unify?’” he said. “I don’t have the answer to those questions. But I know without a doubt that we have a great opportunity on Oct. 8 to make a statement that we are ‘one.’”

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