I wonder, do we, as a community realize fully our own economic strength? I mean do we consciously search for ‘Gay Friendly‘ locations to go vacation at, or do we just hit up the spots that we want, irregardless of whether it is ‘Gay Friendly‘ or ‘Anti Gay‘, like say Fort Lauderdale in Florida? The Religious Right are pretty good as issuing BOYCOTS for business that support ‘gay‘ events or ‘gay charities‘, (see comment ‘The Boycott Bandwagon‘) so maybe we should start to do a bit more of that ourselves?
Perhaps, when politicians like Fort Lauderdale’s mayor issues his homophobic remarks, we should simply stop going there for vacation. Let’s find ourselves some places where there isn’t some ranting hate monger in charge, like in Fort Lauderdale?
(Fort Lauderdale, Florida) Fort Lauderdale Mayor Jim Naugle called a news conference Tuesday to issue what he called an apology for remarks he made earlier this month about public gay sex on the beach but instead turned it into another broadside against the gay community. (source)
I suppose what is frightening, is this isn’t a Republican, this is a Democrat. Now, maybe I am nuts, or just plain too damn idealistic, but isn’t it time that voters started looking outside the box for their leaders? Shouldn’t third parties, like the Green Party, be considered, and so what if some will argue its a wasted vote. If enough people ignore that tripe, and actually make alternative choices, it could force the two major parties to re-examine their positions, and who they support for office.
However, I also think that the GLBT community needs to start its own economic boycotts, and stick to it. We need to start putting the hurt on these Hate Mongers, where it counts, in the pocket book. If enough of us refuse to go to places like Fort Lauderdale, then the business community itself will do the job, and start to put pressure on these ignorant hate merchants, like the current Mayor.
Seems to me, that it really isn’t morality that gets people elected, but Money.
Following 9-11 when travel in general fell off, gay travel remained relatively high, and in the year after the terrorist attacks on New York and Washington gay travelers were credited with helping save Florida’s tourism industry. (source)
Seems to me that the Mayor is ignoring these aspects, and instead of being grateful, or even thankful, he is on his own personal agenda. Perhaps he is seeking to become a Congressman, or Senator even, after all look at Mitt Romney and the other Homophobes in the public eye. See how well they have done, and you know, maybe it is time to strike back, to not just send a message to communities that elect such Mayors, but to business to.
Think about it, if the GLBT does back off from places like Fort Lauderdale, we also weaken the economic base these Hate Merchants can draw on. It means they get less money to advance their political careers, which in turn does help our struggle for equality. If people like this are kept from getting a strong economic backing, their campaigns for higher office get weakened.
so, how about it? Planning a vacation? Then how about MAKING SURE IT ISN’T FORT LAUDERDALE – BOYCOTT FT. LAUDERDALE!
