Wasting Away in Margaritaville

In the more than 20 years I have lived in the Los Angeles area, some of it in West Hollywood, I have never been to Barney's Beanery. Until 1984, when they were forced to remove it, they had a sign on their entrance proclaiming, "No Faggots Allowed." Why would I go where I'm clearly not wanted? Why would I support a business that doesn't want to be in business with me?

I feel the same way about El Coyote, the venerable Mexican eatery that is suffering the effects of its owner donating to the recent "Yes on 8" campaign. You can't swing a dead cat in this town without hitting a Mexican restaurant. So am I really under some obligation to give El Coyote money that may eventually be given to groups that oppose my civil rights? I think not. I will guac elsewhere.

Ron Prentice of ProtectMarriage.com disagrees with me. He is quoted in today's Los Angeles Times as saying that boycotters were, "unabashedly trampling on the rights of others." I find this particularly ironic since it's coming from a man and a group who have no qualms about kicking my rights in the cajones.

Funny how the radical right had no problem when Southern Baptists attempted to boycott Disney and other enlightened companies for offering same-sex health benefits. That was alright. When we use the same tactic we're all wrong.

From the time I began my own business I have been involved in the gay rights movement. My first client, in 1989 (pro-bono I might add), was a young man named Joe Steffan who was kicked out of the U.S. Naval Academy for his sexual orientation. In the nearly 20 years since then, I have had the honor of working with and representing virtually every major and minor GLBT organization.

Because of my work, which I stand by proudly, I have had clients who chose to go elsewhere for their public relations needs. I was and am willing to accept that judgment -- the things I am fighting for are far too important for me to ignore the needs of my own community. But unlike El Coyote and other "Yes on 8" supporters, I am willing to stand by and own my political beliefs -- even when they may cause me economic harm.

To my brothers and sisters in the GLBT movement and our friends, I urge you to use every legal and moral tool at your disposal to change hearts and minds. Peaceful protests, boycotts and community organizing are the tools of our trade and ultimately the things that will win this struggle.

Tomorrow you will see me protesting at City Hall, but don't expect to see me sipping a margarita at El Coyote. I will not fund my own demise and I won't go where I'm not wanted.

Comments

[noamjunior]

Great article
here is one straight married man who thinks discriminatory laws like proposition H8 demean and diminish all marriages.
In the 1800's property laws requred that a male sign all transfer of properties-marriage laws that require a man and a woman signature are no less descriminatory
Keep up the good fight for all straight and gay people to achieve equal rights in marriage

[write2bheard]

I have a young transgender relative. At first she thought she was a lesbian, which caused enough of a stir in our moderate-Christian family. She wound up leaving school at 16 with her girlfriend and running away. They had an incredible journey including wacky jobs as carnival barkers where they travelled all over the US. She/he is now 21 and incredibly responsible. She formed a "domestic partnership" union with her partner and they have been together for 5 years. They support each other in sickness and health, respect each other, fight each other, love each other. I have grown to respect their determination to be who they are in the face of such grave difficulties. They are planning to go back to school, but both currently work in the fast food industry where the pay is low and the discrimination high. He (that is still almost impossible for me to say) has been subjected to managers grabbing his crotch, feeling his chest, incredible verbal abuse, co-workers tossing a trash can at his head, and people thinking he is a pervert and making inappropriate sexual suggestions/comments.

No matter how conflicted we feel about the morality of GLBT, America's creed demands that we stop discriminating and guarantee they have the same rights as every other American citizen. Share your stories -- many will listen.

[OrleansCatalan]

You have displayed the true meaning of "Family Values." Thank you.

It is sad, but the leading cause of homelessness among teenagers is to be openly gay.
25% of the kids who come out below the age of 18 are abandoned by their parents.
They are physically, sexually, emotionally abused, or killed.

How anyone in this new century could believe that homosexuality is a choice is beyond my comprehension.