Gays to Withdraw Cash from Banks October 8 – Could Total Billions
ATLANTA, Sept. 22, 2004 -- Organizers of the Boycott For Equality are
expanding their nationwide walkout to include a coordinated cash
withdrawal from the economy on October 8.
To demonstrate the need for equality in marriage and the workplace,
straight and gay supporters will each take out $80 from their local
ATM.
Boycott For Equality expects the action will exhaust the cash in many
ATMs, leaving a reminder of gay economic power to all who try to use
them throughout the long bank weekend.
To further drive home the lessons taught during the Boycott,
participants should refer to the Boycott when communicating with
their elected representatives, particularly when candidates ask for
money to fund their campaigns.
"Let them know you participated in the Boycott," explained
Duncan. "Just take your ATM receipt, cross out your account number,
circle your balance, write GAY MONEY on it and mail it to campaign
headquarters in the postage paid envelope they provide. They'll get
the message that nobody in America can be taken for granted."
The amount represents the amount the average member of the Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community contributes to the US
economy each day, and could grow
beyond the $1.4 billion that LGBT workers contribute each day - more
than $500 billion each year according to computations by Washington
D.C.-based public relations firm Witeck-Combs Communications.
The walkout combines several actions highlighting the various ways
that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) citizens
contribute to the economy on a regular basis.
Other components of the Boycott include a one-day work stoppage
or "pink flu" day to demonstrate solidarity to employers and
colleagues; a moratorium on spending for goods and services such as
gas, food and clothing, to show retailers what would happen if 7% of
their revenue goes away; closures by sympathetic businesses to make
their customers aware of how dependent Americans are upon each other;
and a halt to cell phone use to spread the plea
for equality throughout the participant's network.
Close to fifty businesses and 15,000 people have already pledged to
participate using the online forms at the group's web site. Some
major groups that have endorsed or encouraged Boycott For Equality
Day include Don't Amend: The Equality Campaign, The Advocate
magazine, Civil Marriage US, several local PFLAG chapters, DC
Diversity, Equality Illinois and Wyoming Equality.
In at least 36 states it is still legal to fire someone because of
their sexuality - even if they never bring it into the workplace. And
nowhere in the United States are these taxpayers able to file joint
federal income tax, combine tax deductions, or access their partner's
social security or disability benefits.
Boycott For Equality is an Atlanta-based non-profit formed to promote
the boycott, scheduled this year for October 8. For that day, GLBT
Americans and their straight allies are encouraged to withdraw from
the economy in five specific areas:
1) Stay home from work. Do not generate payroll taxes, income taxes
or add to the economy. If you run a business, let your customers know
by closing for the day.
2) Withdraw $80 from your bank account at an ATM.
3) Don't shop. Do not generate sales tax or business revenue.
4) Hang up your cell phone. Your silence will affect your whole
communications network.
For more information, visit
http://ereleases.c.topica.com/maacF1oabacpqcggTHPb/
Contact:
Dale Duncan (757) 257-6215
dsd@boycottforequality.org
ATLANTA, Sept. 22, 2004 -- Organizers of the Boycott For Equality are
expanding their nationwide walkout to include a coordinated cash
withdrawal from the economy on October 8.
To demonstrate the need for equality in marriage and the workplace,
straight and gay supporters will each take out $80 from their local
ATM.
Boycott For Equality expects the action will exhaust the cash in many
ATMs, leaving a reminder of gay economic power to all who try to use
them throughout the long bank weekend.
To further drive home the lessons taught during the Boycott,
participants should refer to the Boycott when communicating with
their elected representatives, particularly when candidates ask for
money to fund their campaigns.
"Let them know you participated in the Boycott," explained
Duncan. "Just take your ATM receipt, cross out your account number,
circle your balance, write GAY MONEY on it and mail it to campaign
headquarters in the postage paid envelope they provide. They'll get
the message that nobody in America can be taken for granted."
The amount represents the amount the average member of the Lesbian,
Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community contributes to the US
economy each day, and could grow
beyond the $1.4 billion that LGBT workers contribute each day - more
than $500 billion each year according to computations by Washington
D.C.-based public relations firm Witeck-Combs Communications.
The walkout combines several actions highlighting the various ways
that Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) citizens
contribute to the economy on a regular basis.
Other components of the Boycott include a one-day work stoppage
or "pink flu" day to demonstrate solidarity to employers and
colleagues; a moratorium on spending for goods and services such as
gas, food and clothing, to show retailers what would happen if 7% of
their revenue goes away; closures by sympathetic businesses to make
their customers aware of how dependent Americans are upon each other;
and a halt to cell phone use to spread the plea
for equality throughout the participant's network.
Close to fifty businesses and 15,000 people have already pledged to
participate using the online forms at the group's web site. Some
major groups that have endorsed or encouraged Boycott For Equality
Day include Don't Amend: The Equality Campaign, The Advocate
magazine, Civil Marriage US, several local PFLAG chapters, DC
Diversity, Equality Illinois and Wyoming Equality.
In at least 36 states it is still legal to fire someone because of
their sexuality - even if they never bring it into the workplace. And
nowhere in the United States are these taxpayers able to file joint
federal income tax, combine tax deductions, or access their partner's
social security or disability benefits.
Boycott For Equality is an Atlanta-based non-profit formed to promote
the boycott, scheduled this year for October 8. For that day, GLBT
Americans and their straight allies are encouraged to withdraw from
the economy in five specific areas:
1) Stay home from work. Do not generate payroll taxes, income taxes
or add to the economy. If you run a business, let your customers know
by closing for the day.
2) Withdraw $80 from your bank account at an ATM.
3) Don't shop. Do not generate sales tax or business revenue.
4) Hang up your cell phone. Your silence will affect your whole
communications network.
For more information, visit
http://ereleases.c.topica.com/maacF1oabacpqcggTHPb/
Contact:
Dale Duncan (757) 257-6215
dsd@boycottforequality.org
