US campaign for a nation wide boycott October 8 to protest against Bush's support to a Constitutional Amendment banning Same-Sex Marriage

Boycott for Equality calls for a nation-wide boycott in the traditions of Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King. We are asking all GLBT Americans and their Straight Allies to "drop out" of the United States economy for one day to demonstrate that we are vital and important members of our communities with significant economic presence. There are three elements to the boycott: No Work, No Purchases and No Cell Phones.

When?

Friday, October 8, 2004
1) Do not go to work. Call in sick or use a personal day. You do not have to come out to anyone in doing so unless you choose to do so. This will impact overall economic productivity. If you own a business, consider closing for the day to honor the goal.

2) Do not purchase or buy ANYTHING. This includes groceries, services, retail goods etc. No movies, restaurants, or entertainment -- nothing! If we make no purchases, we do not generate sales tax for government coffers or revenues for businesses.

3) Do not use your cell phone for the entire day. We will be able to measure the impact of loss of minutes on the telecommunication networks to demonstrate our presence.

Why?

On February 24, 2004, the President of the United States declared war on gay/bisexual/transgendered Americans when he decided to support a Constitutional Amendment banning Same-Sex Marriage denying us over 1000 rights and responsibilities that all other Americans currently enjoy.

In addition, the Congress and State Legislatures have refused numerous attempts to pass employment non-discrimination laws. The discriminatory Don't Ask Don't Tell policy continues to make a mockery of the service of lesbian and gay service people, when other democracies (i.e. Great Britain) allow gays to serve in the military.

GLBT citizens pay taxes everyday to support our government and society, just like heterosexual citizens. As such, we will no longer be treated as second-class citizens without the full protection of the law in employment non-discrimination or legal status in marriage, adoption or other rights. We should be able to serve our country with distinction without fear of discharge.

Gay people do not choose to be gay -- who would logically choose to be despised by the majority. We do not choose to be homosexual any more than straights decide to be heterosexual. Left-handed people do not choose to be different than the right-handed majority -- they just are!