News
2004-09-08
Press Release
More Companies to Close on October 8 to Support Boycott For Equality
Jim Smith
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Dale Duncan (757) 257-6215
dsd@boycottforequality.org
More Companies to Close on October 8 to Support Boycott For Equality
Atlanta, GA, September 8, 2004 - Echelon Magazine, a news source for the
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Business Community, was the first of
several LGBT businesses who have committed to close their offices October 8
as part of the national Boycott For Equality to protest marriage and
employment discrimination. Now, several others have joined the boycott.
With still a month to go before the walkout, more than 650,000 visitors have
come to the web site, and almost 5,000 people have taken an active role by
pledging to support the effort by providing money and contacts.
The success is a result of endorsements from lesbian and gay groups across
the country and a grass-roots desire to do something to raise awareness
about freedom and equality.
"It's fantastic to see the community uniting behind this event," said
Boycott for Equality Co-Founder Dale Duncan. "it's about time we put aside
our self-fulfilling cynicism and do something to show our strength and
express our freedom."
Joining Los Angeles-based Echelon Magazine (www.echelon.com) are Traders
Neighborhood Store in Atlanta (www.tradersatlanta.com), Shag: The Salon in
San Antonio (www.shagthesalon.com), Azteria Healthcare Recruiting in Los
Angeles (www.azteria.com), Alta Vida Dental Lab in Springfield, Missouri,
and The Grass Harp, also in Springfield, Missouri.
Keith Taylor, owner of Shag: The Salon in San Antonio, Texas, writes "We're
closing our business for the day. We believe the long term impact far
outweighs any short term loss. If we all work together to educate the people
we do business with every day, we can really make a difference in the way
that we are treated."
Daniel A. Smith & Jim D. Arndt, owners of Springfield, Missouri-based Alta
Vida Dental Lab and The Grass Harp, issued a joint statement: "I think it is
not only our right but our duty to stand up for what every American should
have in this country: equal opportunity and treatment under the law."
Duncan welcomes the actions these businesses have taken, and expects many
more to follow. He says small businesses are particularly sensitive to the
extra costs that discrimination brings, such as the added tax burdens
incurred by unmarried partners who are taxed differently for domestic
partner benefits from their counterparts who are able to legally marry.
"When the owner of a small business leaves the economy, they bring their
employees with them," Duncan points out. "Nobody can say that America is
stronger or better when gay people are not allowed to participate fairly - but in effect, that's what is happening. These closures will help to change that."
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Boycott For Equality is an Atlanta-based non-profit formed to promote the
boycott, scheduled this year for October 8. For that day, GLBT Americans and
their straight allies are encouraged to withdraw from the economy in three
specific areas:
1) Do not purchase anything. Do not generate sales tax or business revenue.
2) Don't work. Take the day off - do not generate payroll taxes, income
taxes or add to the economy.
3) Do not use cell phones. Dropping out of the communication network is a
way to measure the impact of your presence.
Some major groups that have endorsed or encouraged Boycott for Equality Day
include Don't Amend: The Equality Campaign, The Advocate magazine, Civil
Marriage US, several local PFLAG chapters, DC Diversity, Equality Illinois
and Wyoming Equality.
Additionally, comic Margaret Cho's web site loveisloveislove.com has listed
Boycott For Equality Day as one of the "12 Things You Can Do" to promote gay
and lesbian equality.
For more information, visit www.boycottforequality.org
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