Pittsburgh Lesbian Correspondents

Protest Planned for Target's Shareholder Mtg in Pittsburgh

Sue — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 11:53:00 -0400

Target is holding a shareholder meeting here in Pittsburgh on Wednesday, June 8, 2011. This is the first such meeting since the corporation donated $150,000 to support an anti-gay candidate in their election bid.

There was immediate backlash. It is a terrible contradiction to tell us you want our shopping dollars and support us, then try to elect someone who denies us our basic equal rights. More on the donation specifics here. These donations are tricky, but understand that this was from the actual company. Executives within the company also made personal donations (including one from the CEO to Michelle Bachmann) which are troubling, but there's a little more gray when it comes to choices made by employees. The $150,000 donation came from the profits WE generate by shopping at the store, not the salaries of the employees.

Groups have united to plan a protest at the meeting on Wednesday, 12 PM at the new store site in East Liberty (you can't miss it).

Participating organizations include: Keystone Progress, Common Cause, Action United, Delta Foundation, We Are One Pennsylvania.

So why does this matter? Here's the perspective from Common Cause

As a giant retailer, Target is more susceptible to customer feedback, especially in an environment where sales have been slumping. The shareholder meeting is an opportunity to send a message that when companies try to buy our elected officials to do their bidding, we the people will be watching. The protest is the beginning of a national effort to urge corporations to stop spending their profits to influence our elections. This spending distorts our public policy to only benefit a select few. We need to take a stand now before the 2012 elections are completely flooded with corporate money.

The LGBTQ community should take heed of this. It is not a coincidence that they chose to support Tom Emmer, a State Rep running for Governor of Minnesota. It was a calculated decision that probably had to do with business, but conveniently overlooked Emmer's strong stance against marriage equality, LGBTQ parentings, and his affiliation with an "incendiary" Christian group. This man was much more Darryl Metcalfe than Tom Corbett if I can make so bold a continuum.

If you work in the East End or can get away for a bit mid-day, please make an effort to head to East Liberty and send a message. Let them know you are paying attention. We can't stop corporations from making huge financial donations to the 2012 elections. Do you want Target funding anti-equality candidates in Western Pennsylvania?

My post on personal choices around boycotting Target and other companies ... another time. It is constructive to know we can participate without the interminable inner struggle about where we spend our dollars. So let's take advantage of this opportunity, queer Pittsburgh, and send a message. We are paying attention.

The end of an era: the closure of A Pleasant Present

Sue — Sun, 13 Jun 2010 11:48:00 -0400

The rumor is true. A Pleasant Present, the wonderful gift and pride shop in Squirrel Hill, is closing its doors after 16 years in business.

I stopped by yesterday to chat with owner Michael Ferraro. He explained they will continue the close out sale (40% off!) through mid-July and close their doors forever. Ferraro is very matter of fact about his decision, but has many fond memories of his 16 years.

A Pleasant Present has been a real community hub. From Pride merchandise to LGBT flyers, Michael has been a part of almost every single LGBT group, event and activity in the past decade. He sold tickets to events, distributed flyers and has been a true champion of progressive political values in his own kitschy way with all sorts of delightful bumper stickers, magnets and paraphenalia. He always had a smile, a bit of news and something new to show me.

I've purchased dozens of gift baskets, lots of presents for children, scores of cards and all sorts of unique items I'll never find agan. I'll miss that, but ... most of all, I will miss Michael. His joy, his service to the community and his kind heart are the real presents.

Rest assured, he will remain in Pittsburgh and will be making his signature gourmet gift baskets. I asked about the rainbow flag that flies proudly on Murray Avenue. It would be a great item to display in the GLCC, perhaps framed and labeled. That flag has been a beacon for many an lgbt person in the region.

American Eagle takes a page from BP ...

Sue — Sat, 12 Jun 2010 09:29:00 -0400

... and not in a good way.

We've all heard about the ridiculous/offensive/hateful decision of BP to spend millions ($50 I believe) on a PR campaign, $50 million that would clean up a lot of dying birds and sealife. Or lost compensate people for lost income. You get the point.

Here in Pittsburgh, we have a mini-version of corporate bullshit that values public relations over the welfare of human beings, namely their employees. American Eagle, thy name is corporate meanie.

AE was the corporate sponsor for a childcare center on the Southside to the tune of $200 K. Imagine how wonderful it would be for a corporation with lots of below-living-wage employees to have access to quality childcare!

Then imagine a 90 day notice saying it is closing! My friends on Facebook have been frantic to find a substitute. But still, this cost cutting move saves jobs, right?

What a slap in the face this little tidbit must be ...

American Eagle Outfitters announced Thursday it won the right to name a new North Shore entertainment complex and the venue's Ohio-based developer said apartments and condos could be its next project.

Construction on the $12 million indoor-outdoor complex dubbed Stage AE began in April. It's expected to be completed in the fall with enough outdoor seating for up to 5,500 people and indoor seating for 2,400 people.

<snip>

State taxpayers will chip in $2.5 million to build the entertainment complex, or about 21 percent of the overall construction cost. The Steelers declined to discuss the terms of American Eagle's contribution.

"I can't disclose those to you. We made an agreement with all of our parties not to do that," said Mark Hart, the Steelers' director of business.

An American Eagle spokeswoman also declined to disclose how much the company paid the Steelers for the naming rights. She said the multi-year agreement is the first time the company paid for naming rights.

So naming rights = good PR. Closure of daycare = unessential PR? Even if enrollment of AE employees has been declining, how does that justify 90 days notice? Clearly, some AE bureacrat didn't even have the compassion to allow the parents enough time to find decent substitutes.

Or they just don't care. Screw working class parents and their Target outfits. There's money to be made from folks who have disposable income for concerts, not diapers. Imagine when they roll out the Black and Gold bedazzled AE baseball caps?

I wonder if the "state taxpayers" realize the costs of daycare closures. Inevitably, people are going to leave the workforce because they can't find childcare. I'm sure productivity is almost zero for the harried parents. And what about the actual AE employees who have just been completely bitch slapped by heartless overlords that were lured to the Southside Works with public money in the first place?

Maybe they'll get to stand outside the new concert venue and listen to the music?

I wonder if this new "NorthShore" complex is going to employ Northside residents?

Major suckitude failure, American Eagle. You are the worst company in Pittsburgh right now.

Bash Back - Latest Pittsburgh Actions

Sue — Sat, 29 May 2010 11:57:00 -0400

Bash Back, a radical transfolk/queer group, has had two recent actions in Pittsburgh. One involved an evangelical church that promises to cure homosexuality. The other involved our favorite bakery, Peace Love and Little Donuts. You recall a recent favorable review published in Cue Pittsburgh? Here's the response from people who care about these things.

In the May issue of Cue Magazine- a local mainstream GLBT magazine- a favorable article was printed about PLLD and Razete’s business. The author of the magazine apologized profusely when contacted and said he had no idea about the shop’s owner- showing that more visibility is needed. He plans to write a follow-up article that will show more truths about Razette’s character. But for local queers, this was another conniving move by Razette to use queer communities to obtain more capital.

In response, queers revisited his shop in May 2010. His locks were glued and “QUEERS BASH BACK (A)” was painted in large letters covering the front of his shop. Businesses run by queer bashers will continue to be exposed in our city, especially when they use queer communities here to further their capitalist agenda.

Now, I am not in favor of vandalism. I don't think its constructive, but I also think the mainstream community's refusal to explore the underlying anger and engage the participants is equally not constructive. We just go round and round.

The unknown factor at this point is whether Cue Pittsburgh will print the retraction or the promised follow up article. It did not appear in the June issue.

From Facebook:

Do the readers of Cue care enough to raise their own ruckus? More to the point, do they care enough to stop buying the damn donuts?

Speaking of caring, I am searching for info on the promised meeting with City Council regarding the gay bashing incidents in Bloomfield. I've been encouraging elected officials to get off Grant Street and meet queer folks out in the community to ensure they have information (and solutions?) from diverse points of view. I'm hoping they respond soon.

Stay tuned.

Fayette County prison guard gender stereotyping suit settled

Sue — Tue, 04 May 2010 22:17:00 -0400

We first discussed this back in December 2009 when the Tribune Review reported on a federal lawsuit filed by a state prison guard in Fayette County. He claimed he was being harassed because he did not conform to gender expectations, including being too effeminate on the radio. (What does that even mean, asks the female former radio host?)

The suit has been settled by mediation. No one is talking about what that actually means, but it doesn't mean a court ruling on the matter.

This man is a state employee who enjoys no state protections from being harassed on his sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation (remember, gay men act like women and acting like a woman is bad). He worked in Fayette County which does not have county protections for sexual orientation.

He was harassed because people thought he was gay. He had to go to the federal courts to get help. We don't know if he is gay.

This could be you. You could be the woman who dresses in trousers and has manly gestures. You could be the man with the effeminate voice. You could be a heterosexual person who is perceived as gay. And you could be fired.

Support ENDA and HB 300. It is about our jobs.

ENDA - Stop and think, you know this one

Sue — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 02:19:00 -0400

If you use the Google blog search on the federal legislation known as ENDA (Employment Non Discrimination Act), you'll see a fair amount of information, outrage and distortion of facts on all sides of the debate.

The truth is that there is a very real opportunity to pass federal legislation that would protect gay Americans in their jobs. It wouldn't matter if you live in Pittsburgh, Ross Township or Cranberry Township - you would be protected by the full force of federal law. This is big. Federal recognition of LGBT civil rights paves the way for greater economic opportunities for our entire community. It opens the door to more domestic partner benefits, more visibility in the workplace and more equality. Not full equality, but enough of it that its worth fighting to obtain.

Let me share with you information from trusted inside sources.

In the House of Representatives, the bill should move to a floor vote soon. Here's a link to a great spreadsheet that is kept updated on all things related to ENDA and the House. There are 221 Yes votes, 182 No votes and 27 unconfirmed votes. It is possible that an inclusive ENDA will pass in the House.

The Senate is a different matter. Here is that spreadsheet. Today, I was informed that there are 55 Yes votes and 9 possible Yes votes. That's very close and could make all the difference. That's an uphill battle.

Something to note. We are much closer to passing an inclusive ENDA now than ever before. The non-inclusive version (sometimes referred to as SPLENDA) wasn't acceptable and it didn't pass anyway.

Before I delve into what you can do to tip the scales towards equality, let me remind you of what our opponents will be pushing.

1. The bathroom argument. We heard this at the Steel City Stonewall Endorsement when a candidate for State House said he might support HB 300 except for some concerns. The fact that he didn't trouble himself to get educated by Frankel's team before coming to the endorsement suggests he thinks we are fools. That we believe there might be legitimate reasons to think cross-dressing men are going to invade women's bathrooms and dressing rooms across the nation en masse as soon as these bills would be signed. If someone can come to a gay endorsement meeting and not "get" this hysterical nonsense for the hysterical nonsense that it is, we have a lot of educating to do. Since he won the endorsement, we better do it soon.

And we need to be prepared for this tired, but effective tactic to be bandied about, especially when they want us to throw our transsisters and brothers under the bus to get a diluted SPLENDA passed so some of us get more equal.

2. Religious Liberty. ENDA does not mean faith communities have to make the slightest change to their institutions and practices, unless they receive federal funding. No anti-gay Baptist ministry is going to be forced to hire gay choir directors. This is another attempt to derail the conversation by pitting LGBT rights against religious rights. That's untrue. This is about ending discrimination against a class of people, not a restriction on another group's liberty. But it works. It scares people.

These people are bearing false witness. There is simply no evidence to back up these allegations. The HRC Corporate Equality Index shows 305 corporations that have adopted some measure of inclusion in their business practices and they seem to be doing fine.

So, how can you step up?

In the Senate, we are good. Both Casey and Specter are co-sponsoring the legislation. So a simple thank you call or email to them will do nicely.

In the House, well you aren't going to be surprised. Unconfirmed votes are Jason Altmire and Kathy Dahlkemper. However, both of these individuals voted FOR Hate Crimes protections so there is reason to believe they can be moved. It certainly is worth a few minutes of your time to try.

Jason represents portions of six counties. He's going to get intense pressure from the right wing, especially with the election coming up. It is important that you who live in his district get your message about economic development on his desk. This is about your ability to put food on the table for your family.

The Aliquippa Office is the best place to direct your calls: 724-378-0928. You can email him at this link.

Kathy Dahlkemper represents 7 counties in the Northwestern portion of the Commonwealth. Hello, Erie. She has a toll free number 1-877-528-4948 and an email form at this link.

This doesn't have to be hard. Simply write down your bullet points. When you make the call/send the email, provide your contact information so they know you live in the district. Then make your case. Adding a personal touch is important. That could be identifying yourself as a person of faith or referencing a family member who has lost a job or been denied a job because of their identity as LGBT. Anything that helps unpack those awfu, but powerful, untruths will help.

If the bathroom tactic makes you roll your eyes, please find someone living in these districts to make these calls.

Attention Pgh Area LGBT Executives

Sue — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 11:18:00 -0500

This caught my eye ...

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates invites emerging LGBT business leaders to apply for its 2010 Executive Forum, set for April 19-21 in New York City

March 10, 2010

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates is inviting qualified applicants to take part in the 2010 Out & Equal Executive Forum’s class for emerging lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender business leaders.Set for April 19-21 at the Le Parker Meridien in New York City, the Executive Forum will bring emerging executives together for a unique, two-day experience that is designed to enhance participants’ effectiveness as leaders in their workplaces.

Only a limited number of seats are available for this exciting, new opportunity being added to the Executive Forum, now in its third year and known as one of the premiere conferences tailored for senior LGBT executives.

"Over the years, we have created a program - a foundation - that gives LGBT business leaders from around the world the opportunity to learn best practices from one another and become role models and examples for millions of people on how to be successful while being true to oneself," said Out & Equal Founding Executive Director Selisse Berry.

At the Executive Forum, participants will:

· Hear from experts on issues that intersect with participants' professional roles, their LGBT identities and their advocacy

· Engage in dialogue with peers on the toughest issues related to the LGBT equality movement

· Gain a greater understanding of their roles as leaders in their corporations and as leaders creating inclusive workplaces

· Learn successful strategies and tactics for an executive to further an out and equal workplace

· Receive encouragement and coaching from peers on how to be their most authentic and powerful self

· Benefit from expert facilitation to help reflect on and process provocative questions that arise during the Executive Forum

Out & Equal is especially targeting leaders who identify from the transgender community, the bisexual community and the communities of color.

The 2010 Out & Equal Executive Forum will conclude with the Leadership Celebration on April 21 at the Le Parker Meridien. This incredible celebration - including an exclusive reception and a special dinner - will celebrate those making a difference in the movement for LGBT workplace equality.

The cost to participate in the Executive Forum’s Emerging Executive Class is $1,600, and includes both the Executive Forum and the Leadership Celebration. To apply or learn more about the Executive Forum, please visit our website at www.OutandEqual.org.

If you know someone who meets the qualifications, please forward anomination to us. If you have any questions about the Executive Forum or the Leadership Celebration, please contact Associate Director of Summit & Events Anthony Bannon at abannon@outandequal.org or 415-694-6516.

# # #

Out & Equal™ Workplace Advocates is a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization. Out & Equal champions safe and equitable workplaces for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) people. The organization advocates building and strengthening successful organizations that value all employees, customers, and communities. Visit our website, www.OutandEqual.org, for more details.

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates offers a wide range of programs and services to promote LGBT workplace equality, including the Out & Equal Executive Forum, set for April 19-21, 2010 in New York City, and the Out & Equal Workplace Summit, set for Oct. 5-8, 2010 in Los Angeles.

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Homophobia Disguised as Religious Bias Claim Tossed Out

Sue — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 13:47:00 -0500

Mellon fired an employee, in part due to his disrespectful treatment of his LGBTQ coworkers and in part due to his inappropriate work behavior. The employee, Avraham Schwartzberg of Squirrel Hill, filed a lawsuit claiming he was discriminated against because of his religion; he's an Orthodox Jew.

He was a member of the company's group for people with disabilities, known as HEART, and in May 2005, like all other Mellon employees, he received an e-mail inviting him to a luncheon hosted by the Mellon's gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender employee group with Parents and Friends of Lesbians and Gays. Five days later he received a reminder from the head of the group for disabled employees about the luncheon.

His trouble at work started two days later when he sent a note back to the head of the disability group saying it should not be lumped in with other groups of workers. His note included the line, "If you happen to be black or purple or green, etc. or happen to have this sickness called gay or lesbian, just do your job."

The head of the group sent the note to the Human Relations department and later testified the e-mail showed a lack respect for other individuals. The company agreed and called Mr. Schwartzberg in for a meeting where he was told his e-mail reply was offensive and that while the company respected his opinion, he was required to treat all co-workers with respect. He replied later with a religious postcard and a note that said in part, "the true friend of gays and lesbians is the one that points them to help."

A US District Judge tossed the religious bia suit out.

Previous decisions at this level have tossed out claims that religious freedoms allow discriminatory behavior targeting gays in the workplace.

It sickens me when people in the workplace assume that homophobia must be tolerated as an outgrowth of Christian, Jewish or any other belief system. That's bullshit. You come to work, you leave a little bit of your personal freedoms at the door when they conflict with the personal freedoms of other individuals.

Amen, Mellon.

Piittsburgh: There is no "LGBTor Q" in Diversity!

Sue — Sun, 25 Nov 2007 13:31:00 -0500

ARTICLE V: DISCRIMINATION

(b)   It shall be the public policy of the City to prohibit discrimination because of race, color, religion, ancestry, national origin, place of birth, sex, sexual orientation, familial status, age, nonjob related handicap, or disability in employment; and

(n)     SEXUAL ORIENTATION. Male or female homosexuality, heterosexuality and bisexuality or perceived homosexuality, heterosexuality and bisexuality.

Give credit where credit is due. Luke Ravenstahl hired Tamiko Stanley as the City's Equal Employment Opportunities manager and she's tackling the job full-throttle when it comes to gender and race, according to Friday's Post-Gazette. This includes everything from upper-body strength standards in firefighter hiring to forging partnerships with community-based groups such the Kingsley Association to recruit more African-American applicants for City jobs.

Rich Lord mentions that Stanley came to the City after several years with the Pirates without noting her actual accomplishments in diversity recruitment. I'm assuming we are all in agreement that the City has enough overpaid fat-cats who accomplish nothing to rival anything the Pirates lineup for the past umpteen years. Hopefully, that wasn't Stanley's forte.

Stanley has her work cut out for her with the Racial Equity Review Team, labor unions and lotsa lawyers breathing down her neck. One of those neck-breathers is long-time activist Celeste Taylor who is the only person in the article to mention sexual orientation in the same breathe as diversity. Not a single column inch mentions Stanley's plans to diversify the City workforce along the sexual orientation continuum. No mention of incorporating LGBTQ issues in the new City University diversity curriculum. I'm torn between thinking Rich Lord didn't ask the question, but it is probably more accurate to acknowle that sexual minorities are not on the radar for Stanley.

This is the Democratic Administration helmed by a Mayor who publicly stated his opposition to gay marriage and gay civil unions. If he fails that litmus test, is it realistic to think he's going to promote "take a queer to work day" for City employees? Yes, I realize Luke had the big gay meeting with local LGBTQ leaders (including the Stonewall Democrats) the afternoon before the election, but not a single person in attendance has uttered a public word about the outcome. Thus, Luke is still officially opposed to gay unions.

I guess this latest diversity accolade puts to rest the rumor that Luke thought he was opposing homosexual labor unions. I've contacted the homosexual labor unions, but they, like the Steel-City Stonewall Democrats, have yet to reply to my email inquiries on this issue.

Some highlights:

FOP Prez Jimmy Malloy thinks the $38,000+ low a starting salary for police officers with two-year degrees is the diversity issue.  Yeah, that's probably it. Or maybe it is the nasty little requirement forcing the police officers to live far away from the lily white mecca of Cranberry Township that drives the minority applicants away!

Ms. Taylor wants to apply the NFL's "Rooney Rule" to City openings, requiring that at least one minority applicant be interviewed. Do you think the NFL applies that principle to homosexuals or they just let the beat down/pray for your soul football culture weed out the queers?

Mr. Malloy is quoted as believing police recruits "are already indoctrinated to the principle of treating people with respect."

Well, we know Luke respects folks in our community willing to ante up for some back rubbing. There's no Pittsburgh LGTB Chamber of Commerce and our professional networking group (Thursday Night Live) is on life support, so who is going to advocate for a more-queer friendly City workforce? Or pay for it?

Did Rich Lord ask any gay questions? Did he?

Good Workplace News for Pgh Homos

Sue — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 10:43:00 -0500

Good news for members of the LGBTQ community working for a handful of our local employers. From the Post-Gazette ...

Mellon Financial Corp., US Airways and GlaxoSmithKline were among 142 companies ranked as the Best Places to Work for Gay, Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender Workers. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation's 2007 rankings include companies that implement policies and practices to promote fairness and equality for GLBT workers, the foundation said.

Mellon Financial was featured in a Post-Gazette article for supporting employee driven affinity networks

The HRC Best Places to Work 2007 identifies over 140 companies that achieved a perfect score on equality issues.

Individuals can be fired in 33 states if they are gay, lesbian, or bisexual, and 42 states if they are transgender. HRC recognizes these Best Places to Work for GLBT Equality as companies that have made a commitment to end discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity in the workplace.

The index only considers Fortune 500 companies and excludes governments, non-profits and hospitals (that's a shame). Criteria include:

* Including sexual orientation and gender identity and expression in company non-discrimination policies.

* Offering diversity education that includes sexual orientation and gender identity and expression.

* Offering equal benefits to domestic partners, including health coverage

* Supporting transgender employees with transition guidelines and wellness benefits.

*Recognizing and supporting GLBT employee resource groups or company wide diversity councils

* Engaging in respectful and appropriate marketing/philanthropy to the LGBT community

Some other companies of interest on the ranking (at least my interest):

- GAP , Nike and Levi Strauss

- Clear Channel Communications

- Best Buy

- Sears

Shop for Equality

Sue — Wed, 22 Nov 2006 17:54:00 -0500

I'm too tired to be very verbose tonight. Here's a good resource from the Human Rights Campaign ....

Buying a cup of coffee? Filling up your gas tank?

Booking a flight for that dream vacation?

Every day, you make decisions about whom to support in corporate America. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s Buying for Equality can help you easily support companies that support equality for gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Americans.

Ratings in Buying for Equality are based on the Human Rights Campaign Foundation’s annual report card, the Corporate Equality Index. A record 138 companies scored 100 percent on this year’s report, which is a significant increase from the 101 companies that earned a perfect score last year. Every day, from enhanced domestic partner benefits to transgender inclusion in non-discrimination policies, we are seeing a revolution in the American workplace.

Last year, more than 250,000 people used Buying for Equality to make informed choices about their purchases. This year, you can do your part to support fair-minded businesses by requesting or downloading Buying for Equality 2007.

Houston Landscaping Company Refuses to Work for Gay Couple

Sue — Fri, 10 Nov 2006 07:30:00 -0500

A landscaping business owned by Christian conservatives is under fire (and some praise) for refusing to work for homosexuals. Garden Guy owner Sabrina Farber sent an email to Michael Lord and Gary Lackey explaining her reasons for not submitting a bid. Lord and Lackey forward to friends, urging them to avoid doing business with a company that practices homophobia.

The world has responded. The Garden Guy website was beseiged with idiots threatening the owner's family, but also with people praising their stance. One professional landscaping association has adopted a non-discrimination policy.

"It was just our intent to uphold our rights as small-business owners to choose our clientele," she said. "All the hate, the threats of sodomizing my children, the threats of me being murdered, came out because of a very businesslike straightforward e-mail I sent. The crowd of tolerance and diversity is not so tolerant."

See I hate comments like that. Since when is being tolerant the provence of any one particular crowd? Conservative Christians are quick to throw down the T card when it comes to anyone even slightly restricting their rights to be a xtian as they want, so its bogus for Farber to hide behind that one. And her "crowd" were the ones sending death threats to the Dixie Chicks' families. No one in my circle of liberal friends (or conservative friends) would condone threatening a family or wishing harm on children.

But Mrs. Farber said she and her husband also had gotten hundreds of calls and messages offering encouragement and had been touched by that. "We just cried. We have been through so much," Mr. Farber said. "We become accidental crusaders for Christ."

Yes, Mrs. Farber -- Jesus and the City of Houston are proud of your bigotry and give you free reign to be as discriminatory as you want. You go girl!

Philly Car Dealer "Champions" Homophobia

Sue — Tue, 19 Sep 2006 22:04:00 -0400

A Philadelphia man has filed a formal complaint alleging that he was fired after complaining about a "pervasive anti-gay" environment at the Toyota dealership where he was employed.

The ex-employee, Patrick Johnston of Philadelphia, said the work environment at Champion, on Castor Avenue near Cottman, was one in which anti-gay slurs were routine and tolerated.

"Salespeople regularly used slurs like 'faggots' and 'fudgepackers' to refer to gay people," said Johnston, who is gay.

"Even gay customers - who were making these people a substantial commission - were called 'fairies' and 'faggots' behind their backs," he said.

The dealership, Champion Toyota, is owned by Sloane Automotive Group had no comment in response to the complaint.

Johnston first complained internally about the pervasive nature of the gay bashing, but was told that it was the nature of the business (365gay.com).

"It is shocking and disappointing that this type of anti-gay bigotry was so widespread at Sloane Automotive Group,” said Johnson's attorney Katie Eyer, of the Center for Lesbian and Gay Civil Rights.

"What is particularly disturbing is that Mr. Johnston was terminated when he complained about Sloane’s response. Retaliatory action of that kind sends a clear message to other employees – don’t complain if you value your job. This type of conduct is precisely the type of employer behavior that the Philadelphia Fair Practices Ordinance is designed to prevent."

Toyota received a perfect score on the 2005 HRC Corporate Equality Index. Here's their response to that ranking:

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
Jim Press, President and Chief Operating Officer, Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

“Toyota Motor Sales is honored to be recognized by the Human Rights Campaign with a perfect score on the Corporate Equality Index. Diversity provides Toyota with a competitive advantage; understanding, embracing and leveraging our differences enables us to achieve our business goals. At Toyota, we acknowledge and support the diversity of sexual orientation and gender expression. Toyota recognizes its responsibility to both its employees and customers, and considers Diversity and Inclusion an integral part of every aspect of the business.”

How is this consistent with a pervasive homophobic environment Champion Toyota's management allegedly described?   Sadly for the Correspondents, the parent sales company also owns a Honda dealership. What's a dyke to drive?

Just goes to show -- we may be a market, but equality is a long way down the road.

Desperate Opponent Paints Murtha as Fey "San Fran" Politico

Sue — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 08:45:00 -0400

This was very amusing from today's Post-Gazette:

Even Diana Irey, his Republican challenger, acknowledged in an interview last week that she's facing "an uphill battle."

But Ms. Irey added: "The war issue has made people raise an eyebrow ... and given us an opportunity to tell people who he really is." She mentions Mr. Murtha's opposition to a constitutional amendment to ban gay marriage: "Jack Murtha acts more like he's representing liberal San Francisco than conservative southwestern Pennsylvania."

Diana, honey, both my eyebrows are raised in skeptical disbelief that you actually spew this ridiculous crap in front of people with notepads and cameras.  Its so very predictable to trot out the tired old gay-by-association references. And very sad that you attempt to counter Murtha's pragmatic stance on the war with the old homo thrust and parry.

Check out Chris Matthew's smackdown of Irey here ....

Local LGBTQ Business Owner Shares Gay Secret with PG

Sue — Tue, 01 Aug 2006 09:34:00 -0400

Dee Sias, owner of local independent video store Heads Together, wrote to the Post-Gazette to share the store's secret to small business success in the face of competitor's like Blockbuster and Netflix -- they carry movies people want to see. Including (gasp!) gay movies.

I would like people to know that my store does very well -- considering the bills I have to pay -- and the reason is that I carry what other stores do not, what Netflix cannot provide, what is not available on cable and what Blockbuster refused to carry.
I have an extremely loyal customer base of individuals looking for independent, foreign, cult and gay movies. I believe we succeed where others do not because we are knowledgeable and passionate about movies, familiar with our customers and love to talk about and recommend movies.

Sias is responding to a PG article questioning the uncertain future of independent video stores. Sias points out that Heads Together thrives while two other Squirrel Hill stores have closed their doors, including a Blockbuster.

I used to belong to Netflix, but I don't rent movies often enough to justify it. Oh sure, I had noble intentions --- renting movies, cuddling on the sofa, staying in touch with pop culture, etc. Then life got in the way --- newspapers and books to be read, friends to engage in conversations, blog posts to write, even the occasional television program. There was too much real life happening to watch the movie edition. Sigh.

Now we'll be toddling off to Heads Together to check out their selection.

Dee -- good for you for writing in to defend the small entrepreneur as well as those of us who aren't irreversibly cocooned in corporate webs.

Nationwide really is on our side

Sue — Mon, 03 Jul 2006 07:57:00 -0400

From a LA Times article reprinted in the Post-Gazette:

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. doesn't see it that way. Since 1999, the Columbus, Ohio-based company has offered its 35,000 employees benefits for same-sex partners, as well as for aging parents, adult children and roommates.
"As the traditional household has changed, we decided to let our associates define family," spokesman Eric Hardgrove said.
When Ohio voters amended the state's constitution in 2004 to define marriage as a union between one man and one woman, Nationwide Mutual didn't change its policy.
Mr. Hardgrove said the benefits plan "goes along with our commitment to building a workplace that fosters respect, is inclusive and nondiscriminatory."

With the release of HRC's State of the Workplace, evidence is mounting that the economy is becoming more gay friendly despite the desperate scrambling on the social-cultural front. A fair and inclusive workplace is paramount to attracting talented employees.

I like that Nationwide covers aging parents, adult children and roommates. That is a heartening trend. Several of my friends and acquaintances are caring for their parents, finding the struggle to provide health care often overwhelming. A few are single parents and grandma/grandpa has joined the household to help with raising the children. Yet another example of the modern "classic" family.

I wonder if Nationwide needs a social worker?

HRC issues latest State of the Workplace for LGBT employees

Sue — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 06:57:00 -0400

The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has issued the 2005-2006 State of the Workplace report.

Take note of these facts:

* 51% of Fortune 500 companies offer domestic partner benefits

* 86% include sexual orientation in their non-discrimination policies

* 81% include gender identity in their non-discrimination policies

Obviously, corporate America recognizes that a LGBT friendly workplace is good business.

This does not bode well for Pennsylvania given our legislative obsession for ramping up anti-gay initiatives. How will we attract the companies so necessary to create jobs for PA families if we are creating a hostile environment? It would be interesting to see the Democrats suddenly become the champions of economic development by creating an environment conducive to attracting private investment. Not gonna happen anytime soon while so many Dems are cowering in fear for losing their seats for even consorting with homosexuals.

$640 million in homo buying power -- and the big boys want it ....

Sue — Tue, 27 Jun 2006 08:11:00 -0400

I caught this on PageOneQ this morning about the increase in lbgt specific marketing from corporate America.

Last year marked the first time that advertising with gay-specific content comprised more than half of all ads in the U.S. gay and lesbian press, according to an annual report by Rivendell and New York's Prime Access Inc. that reviews 151 individual gay and lesbian titles. Only three years before, gay-specific content comprised just 9.9 percent of all ads in gay and lesbian publications.

Gay-specific content means the ad includes something very gay, like same sex couple walking toward their high-end car rather than just the car itself.

The article goes on, however, to explore the next "walk the walk, talk the talk" issue -- are these companies who want our $$ offering domestic partnership benefits, including sexual orientation and gender identity in their non-discrim clauses and sponsoring LGBT events much like they sponsor hetero events?

So we are in the midst of a watershed moment in LGBT history ... our government is working overtime to restrict our civil liberties while coporate America is desperate for our consumer dollars. So what I ask is whether the mighty whites in charge of these companies are making campaign contributions to the very people elected officials who are deadset on driving us into reeducation camps?

Let's take a look at the Red/Blue spectrum of the corporate sponsors of San Francisco's PrideFest as listed in this article ... courtesy of Buy Blue.org

Bud Light   64% of political contributions went to Republicans, 36% to Democrats

Delta Airlines   57% Republicans, 43% Democrats

Travelocity no data

Comcast 47% Republican, 53% Democrats

Wells Fargo 42% Republican, 58% Democrats

Toyota no contributions

Bank of America 61% Republican, 39% Democrats

MasterCard no contributions

Diet Pepsi   68% Republican, 32 % Democrats

Showtime   no data

The answer is yes. To some degree all of the companies who make contributions are supporting the Pro-Corporate American party that wants to kick us to the curb. But that's just business?

My point is that as we become an increasingly consumerized demographic, we have to keep our eyes on the larger prize and refuse to allow them to merely pander to us. Its easy to be seduced by the fact that say Bank of America sponsors your PrideFest to justify our consumer decisions. But look at Coors Brewing -- they hired a LGBT outreach person ... Mary Cheney. All the while their founder was running on a very right wing Republican platform. Should we really buy their beer when they are so obviously pandering to us?

These companies can have their cake and eat it too. The desperate little boycott of Ford led by the American Family Association is having no impact whatsoever according to industry ananlysts who can trace Ford's declining sales to other more significant factors. In fact, Ford recently sponsored the GLAAD Media Awards. Their response to the boycott has been to increase their advertising in Christian oriented magazines --- the AFA isn't having any of that, but I bet all the sheep reading the magazines don't realize it.

Does anyone know if Giant Eagle offers domestic partner benefits?

AFA sets up Anti-Gay Ford Boycott Website

Sue — Mon, 29 May 2006 10:03:00 -0400

Our homo-bigot friends at the American Family Association have taken their gay hate campaign up a notch by setting up a website dedicated to boycotting Ford. Because Ford hates freedom and is out to destroy the fabric of American families by selling cars to homosexuals.

h/t to Feministing

Notes on anti-gay boycotts

Sue — Thu, 16 Mar 2006 09:29:00 -0500

According to the New York Times, advertising in gay media has been on the rise. Rivendell Media, an advertising representative for gay and lesbian media outlets in Mountainside, N.J., said spending in publications aimed at gay audiences rose 2 percent in 2005, to $212 million. From 2003 to 2004, spending increased 28 percent. This year, Rivendell expects another large increase.

"Smart companies would say it's all about being inclusive anyway," the chief executive of Rivendell, Todd Evans, said. "Its so funny how laissez-faire it is now to advertise to this market."

28% increase in LGBT targeted advertising spending? So much for the impact of the wingnuts boycotts.   (18 wingnut homo-hating groups have reinstated a boycott of Ford b/c of its continued advertising investments in LGBT media sources. Note that the original boycott had 43 participating groups. I'm not going to post a link to this garbage so you can just read the NYT for all the details).

Homo-bloggers around the country have been noting this little-boy cott as an example of just another desperately petty attempt by the wingnuts to isolate homos. But the evidence don't lie! We are a firmly entrenched target market for lots and lots and lots of advertising dollars.

The national LGBT labor organization Pride at Work has issued a statement making the excellent point that boycotting Ford is only going to hurt more American working families (30,000 workers are due to be laid off).

So all you anti-gay marriage zealots need to step up and explain to these 30,000 families how lesbians pose a greater threat to their families than losing their jobs, health insurance and pension. I'd really like to know.