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On December 10th, we are supporting Day Without a Gay.
We are calling for a nationwide strike and economic boycott by all members of our Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered community AND OUR STRAIGHT ALLIES on December 10th, 2008, International Human Rights Day.
WHAT SHOULD WE DO? STRIKE: call in gay, shut down your business, or just take the day off. BOYCOTT: don't buy anything, spend money or support the economy. PARTICIPATE: Volunteer and/or organize a protest in your area. | Our community contributes $700 billion a year to this economy (the same amount as the bailout), yet we are not given equal protections under the law that every citizen deserves. As such, it is time we make a stand. During the largest shopping season of the year, we ask that you do one very important thing: Don't Buy Anything! What would happen to this world if the LGBTQ community didn't exist? Why is it that we continue to contribute to an economy and government that does not contribute to us? Let's answer these questions on December 10th. |
- Wake up for work on Wednesday December 10th... and call in GAY.
- Go to the bank and take $80 out of your account... put it in your pocket and KEEP IT THERE.
- Do not go get your morning latte
- Do not purchase anything
- Do not contribute to advertising revenue: Meaning, spend 24 hours of your life without TV & Internet
- Do not use your cell phone, even if you have unlimited minutes
- Instead, DO volunteer. Give to the community and reach out to those that don't understand our community. Check your state page for local volunteer opportunities.
- If you must spend, only do so at an LGBTQ owned establishment with an LGBTQ clientel
- You have weeks to prepare, so go grocery shopping now.
- VOLUNTEER. We are fighting for human rights, so let's take a day to fight for the rights of those in need. Check your state page for local volunteer opportunities.
We are asking every organizer from the November 15th protests to help organize local volunteer efforts.
WHY THE NAME "A DAY WITHOUT GAYS"? The name was inspired by the film A DAY WITHOUT A MEXICAN and the nationwide strike in 2006 called A DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS that protested against proposed immigration laws.
WHY STRIKE NOW DURING AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN? While one day won't destroy the economy, it will send a clear signal that we are serious about getting our rights. Also, strikes and boycotts are more effective in an economic downturn because business owners have more to lose.
WHY A STRIKE AND A BOYCOTT? General strikes and economic boycotts have been a powerful form of non-violent protest in the history of civil rights movements, from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the anti-apartheid boycotts in the 1980s. For many of those protesters, their actions came at a great sacrifice but they were willing to risk everything to obtain their rights.
WHAT IF I CAN'T MISS WORK?That's OK. It's important to note that many states still do not have anti-discrimination laws on the books with regards to employment discrimination against sexual orientation. If you are afraid to miss work, if your pocket book can't handle it, or if you work for a great LGBTQ advocate and friend, then go to work. All we ask is that you PACK YOUR LUNCH. It's that simple. This boycott helps to increase our visibility if we don't go to work, but you can participate in the economic boycott by simply not consuming
Please help us get the word out and help us call all of the local volunteer organizations to ask them how we can help on December 10th.
Join the Impact, the grassroots collective that mobilized the nationwide Nov. 15 anti-Proposition 8 rallies, is issuing other pro-equality and pro-service calls to action:
Light Up the Night for Equality
On Dec. 20, JTI spearheads a nationwide demonstration it hopes will make an impact on the private sector. Peaceful candlelight vigils will be held at commercial centers in cities across the country in remembrance of the rights that once were for 18,000 marriages, and in honor of the rights that one day will be again - for EVERYONE. Find out what's happening in your city. If nothing is planned yet for your area, ORGANIZE A LOCAL LIGHT UP THE NIGHT EVENT. JTI is totally grassroots-run and -organized… THAT MEANSYOU.
National Food Drive for Equality
JoinTheImpact is launching the first national LGBTQ Food Drive for Equality. Through this event, people like you and me will work to reach out not only to those who have worked alongside us to fight for equality, but to organizations and individuals that fear us and oppose our cause by donating to faith-based and low-income area food pantries. Visit the JTI site to learn more or to step up to organize a food drive.
Join the Impact T-Shirts
As a sign of solidarity and to inspire conversation, JointheImpact is asking that on 12/20, everyone wears a t-shirt with the same message: "Second Class Citizen." Get creative and make your own shirt, or purchase one in the JointheImpact store — use coupon code WEARJOINTHEIMPACT to save 20% before 12/12. Shirts for allies and relatives are also available.
Project Postcard Extended
Make an impact on the next presidency! Send Barack Obama a postcard from your town asking him to follow through on his promises to work toward equal rights…then add a pic of yourself and your card to JTI's photo gallery.
And don't forget Day Without a Gay: Call in gay on Dec. 10 and use the day to volunteer in some way to serve the community at large and promote equality for all.
It's easy to gripe, but we need everyone to do something if we are going to win equality. So go on, get busy!!!
