Call for 10/8 National Boycott by GLBTQ Community

Atlanta Man Organizes National GLBTQ Boycott

Atlanta, GA - When President George W. Bush announced his support of the gay marriage ban on February 24, 2004, something snapped in Dale Duncan and Joe Henderson, a gay couple together for ten years living in Atlanta, Georgia. Both men decided it was time to do something.

Henderson jokingly suggested that gays stop doing wedding-related services for a day: no hair styling, no wedding planning, no cake decorating, no bridal gowns. From that suggestion came the idea for an economic boycott. But of what?

The suggestion was made that gays, lesbians, questioning, transgendered and all their allies drop out of the economy for one entire day. No purchases of any kind," says Duncan. "No cell phone use. Take a personal or vacation day off from work. If you're a gay or lesbian business-owner, close up shop for the day."

The goal of the one-day boycott is to impact the bottom line. "Let's face it," says Duncan. "It is imperative that we show this nation exactly what type of impact we, as a group, have on the economy. We hope that will, in turn, drive change."

Duncan invested $3500 of his own money into a website and has applied for nonprofit 501(c)3 status. Until he receives official approval, Duncan is seeking a 501(c)3 organization to act as a sponsor.

One of Duncan's goals is to procure a full-page ad about the boycott in USA Today, to the tune of $325,000.

"That's why we're taking donations," says Duncan, "so that we can advertise in publications and possibly on radio stations throughout the country to make people aware of what's going on and what the boycott is all about."

Also on the website is a petition where people who are planning to participate in the boycott can sign up, thus giving good, clear numbers for the potential impact.

Duncan has received support and endorsements from Robin Tyler of dontamend.com, civilmarriage.com, comedienne Margaret Cho, dcdiversity.com, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. Margaret Cho's website, loveisloveislove.com lists supporting the Boycott for Equality on her website as one of the twelve things to do to combat the marriage amendment.

"It is going to take as many of us as possible, and our allies, to make this work," says Duncan. "If the numbers are in the thousands, that's when it's going to make a noticeable difference."

How does Duncan plan to track the impact of the boycott?

"If a large number of people don't use their cell phones for the day, cell phone companies will report a significant drop in usage the following day," Duncan says. "If a significant number of employees of a major company take the day off, it will be evident in that company's productivity.

For people who cannot participate on the day of the boycott, there are other ways to show support. "We suggest having fundraising parties," says Duncan. "People can have cookouts and parties and take donations. We want them to keep whatever it takes to cover the costs of having the fundraiser and they can donate the rest to Boycott For Equality to go towards the advertising."

They also may contact Duncan and request business-sized cards with information about the boycott to help get the word out.

Some business-owners have voiced concern to Duncan about closing their business for a day. "But I tell them to look at the bigger picture," Duncan says. For example, if they are already partnered, I ask them to think of what they will lose should something happen to them or their partner. Domestic benefits. Social security benefits. And just a slew of other rights and benefits the straight community is automatically awarded.

"So I ask them, 'How can you not afford to close up shop for one day? How can you NOT afford to take a stand on this issue?' Especially when so much is at stake."

For more information, visit the website at http://www.boycottforequality.com or e-mail info [at] boycottforequality.com