National "Day Without a Gay" event planned for Dec. 10

National "Day Without a Gay" event planned for Dec. 10

Denise Goolsby • The Desert Sun • November 18, 2008

Some members of the gay community are asking friends and supporters to take the day off of work on Dec. 10, and instead, volunteer their time to local charitable and humanitarian organizations.

Day Without a Gay - Fight the H8 with Love," organizers are asking people to "call in gay" for work and donate their time to service.

The Los Angeles Times columnist Joel Stein suggested a boycott "patterned after the 2006 Great American Boycott organized by Latino immigrants ... gays should stay home from work, school and do no shopping, to prove how crucial they are to American society."

Sean Hetherington and his boyfriend Aaron Hartzler, both of West Hollywood, decided to build on that idea and include volunteerism in the effort to make a difference on Dec. 10.

While the couple supports the national boycott, Hetherington said as long as people are "cutting off their ties to the economy," it would be a good chance to contribute positively to their local areas.

Hetherington said it's a good opportunity to change peoples' preconceived ideas about the gay community.

"We're not just gay people marching up and down the street stopping traffic," he said.

On Friday, the men came up with the idea to promote the event on a Web site.

The site, http://daywithoutagay.org, was up and running by Saturday, Hetherington said.

Hartzler designed a logo, "Day Without a Gay - Fight the H8 with Love," for the site.

"We thought the movement needed something creative and different," he said.

"Gay people and our allies are compassionate, sensitive, caring, mobilized and programmed for success," a statement posted on the Web site said. "A day without gays would be tragic because it would be a day without love."

Hetherington said the site has attracted a lot of interest and is receiving numerous e-mails daily.

There's a "Day Without a Gay" group on Facebook with more than 1,600 members.

"I do like the idea of volunteering to other organizations," said Joane Garcia-Colson, who married her partner, Carole Dozier, in October. "I'm all in favor of it."

"This is one way for the gay community to shape public opinion and to show the community we are worthwhile, we are valuable and that we deserve equal rights," Garcia-Colson said.

The Palm Springs resident said she plans to participate in the boycott, but is unsure yet if she'll take the day off from work.

Garcia-Colson, who is the executive director of a non-profit organization, said there are only two employees in the office.

"Our organization is extremely supportive of gay rights and equal rights," she said. "I don't want to punish my employer."

If taking a day off is not practical or would end up in disciplinary action, the Web site, http://daywithoutagay.org provides alternative ways to participate, including helping notify others about volunteer opportunities in your area.

Yes on Prop 8 passes

Staff reports • The Desert Sun • November 4, 2008

Yes on Prop 8 passes
Proposition 8, the measure to ban gay marriage in California, has passed.

With 99 percent of precincts reporting at 1 p.m. , the voter initiative amendment that would define marriage as between a man and woman passed with 52.5 percent of the vote.

"This is a great day for marriage," said Ron Prentice, chairman of ProtectMarriage.com. "The people of California stood up for traditional marriage and reclaimed this great institution ... we trust that this decision will be respected by all Californians," he said.

No on Prop 8 officials said today the race is still too close to call.

"Based on turnout estimates reported yesterday, we expect there are more than 3 million and possibly as many as 4 million absentee and provisional ballots yet to be counted," said Geoff Kors, of the executive committee on the No on Prop 8 campaign in a statement on the group's Web site.

The state of California reported 5,220,694 votes (52.2 percent) for Yes on 8 while 4,792,873 (47.8 percent) have voted against the measure, remaining virtually unchanged even as results continue to trickle in. About 96.4 percent of precincts have reported.

The proposition would amend California's state constitution to eliminate the right of same-sex couples to marry. Earlier in the year, the California Supreme Court issued a ruling making such marriages legal under the state's constitution.

Copyright ©2008 MyDesert.com. All rights reserved. Users of this site agree to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy/Your California Privacy Rights (Terms updated March 2007)
Use of this site signifies your agreement to the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy , updated March 2007.

This was sooo cute I had to post!!!