In Austin and Everywhere : Today is the 'Day Without a Gay'

December 10 is International Human Rights Day.

'In order for this movement to continue it can't just be about marching and being pissed off. It's got to be creative in different ways to get into the hearts and minds of moderate voters,' said daywithoutagay.org creator Sean Hetherington.

By Peter Henderson / November 9, 2008

See 'Day Without a Gay in Austin!', Below.

SAN FRANCISCO - Same-sex marriage advocates plan to "Call in gay" on Wednesday in a protest designed to show Americans how big a part of daily life -- and the economy -- gays and their supporters are.

The Internet-organized project, which follows California's passage of anti-same-sex-marriage Proposition 8, urges "Day Without a Gay" participants to skip work and volunteer in the community.

The idea is creating a controversy over how to garner support without protesters hurting their cause.

Californians struck down same-sex marriage last month, reversing a court decision that had affirmed the right. The November 4 vote stopped gay unions in California -- one of a handful of states, provinces and mostly European countries that allowed it.

After the vote, protest marches targeted U.S. temples of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormons, who were top supporters of California Proposition 8, which limits marriage to a man and a woman. That led to a nationwide protest day on November 15.

"In order for this movement to continue it can't just be about marching and being pissed off. It's got to be creative in different ways to get into the hearts and minds of moderate voters," said daywithoutagay.org creator Sean Hetherington.

The Los Angeles comedian and his boyfriend, Aaron Hartzler, put the focus on volunteering, although one of the groups behind the November 15 rallies, jointheimpact.com, urges people to shut businesses and avoid spending anything.

The protest appears inspired by the 2004 film "A Day Without a Mexican" which imagines the effect on California of a day when there are no Latinos, leading to chaos on the state.

Source / Reuters

Day Without a Gay in Austin!

Come together for a rally and speak-out at Austin City Hall in protest of inequality. Join the LGBT community in their economic boycott and nationwide direct action for marriage equality by rallying for your beliefs.

On December 10, in unison with "Day Without a Gay" there will be a rally and speak-out at Austin City Hall. This is a direct representation of our ability to repeatedly come together for a cause that has been laying idle for too long.

Bring your beautiful faces, fabulous signs and your friends. Our efforts as a community only shine the brightest when we come together as one.

If anyone would like to help out in any way -- or to add your name or your organization’s name to this call -- please contact: dcloud@mail.utexas.edu

Make your impact.

We'll see you there.

Atticus Circle asks attendees to demonstrate the ways in which glbtq persons give back to our community by bringing a canned food item to donate to the Capitol Area Food Bank.

Rally speakers include: Holly Lewis (community activist & labor organizer), Paul Scott (Exec. Director, Equality Texas), Meredith Bagley (UT Ph.D student and member of the Austin Valkyries rugby club), Jodie Eldridge (Atticus Circle), Paige Schilt (former media director and current research fellow, Soul Force), City Council Member Mike Martinez, Dana Cloud (UT professor and member of Pride and Equity Faculty Staff Assoc. and the International Socialist Organization).

LGBTQA workers, business owners, consumers and taxpayers contribute over $700 billion to the U.S. economy each year and should not be treated as second-class citizens.

General strikes and economic boycotts have proven powerful weapons in the history of non-violent protests, and we must be willing to make sacrifices to fight for equal rights, including the right to marry. Until ALL are equal, NONE are equal. A day without us would be tragic because it's a day without love, so the gay community will take a historic stance against hatred by donating love to a variety of causes.

JOIN THE IMPACT was a HUGE success and will continue to thrive because of your selfless efforts. We've reacted to prop 8 with anger, with resolve, and with courage. NOW, it's time show America and the world how we love.

Dana Cloud / The Rag Blog

Go to the Day Without a Gay website.

And, to learn more and to volunteer, go to Texas -- Day Without a Gay.

The Rag Blog