(no subject)

[rootofnewt]

Virginia Is For Haters is recommending a boycott of Virginia-based businesses, especially J. Crew, due to the recent HB 75, limiting the rights of non-heterosexual couples.

Now, I know I haven't written on this, while many people I know who live out of state are shocked and outraged. Well, I'm not surprised or shocked. I live in a state full of conservatives--many are of the scary sort. I know this. It's one reason I referred to Virginia as The Evil Dominion for years before I moved here. I live in a moderately liberal enclave. My delegates didn't vote for the bill and, for that, I'm quite thankful. I'm a little surprised that something representing such a huge government intrusion was actually passed--I know a lot of conservative Christians who really hate laws that limit *anything*, simply because they see it as big government. Apparently, they're so afraid of hot gay sex they'll stand for hateful acts by the Assembly.

This is a conservative state. This is what happens when people who believe religious law is not separate from civil law. I'm a bit surprised by the shock... after all, this state had some of the most vicious eugenics programs during the last century... not to mention the huge problems with desegregation. Hell, this state doesn't even have real strip clubs. When the Supreme Court ruled on the Texas sodomy case (Lawrence and Garner v Texas), some of our delegates tried to figure out a way to officially say, "No matter what the Supreme Court says, we still think sodomy laws are a good thing because sodomy (defined in VA as just about anything BUT married, heterosexual PiV sex) is a bad, bad thing."

I don't buy anything from J. Crew, anyhow. Heck, the fact that the CEO supports Kerry might be enough for me to go buy some socks there. Some folks have mentioned an AOL boycott--I don't use their products, either, save for a sporadic ICQ session. I don't pay for the use of ICQ, though I have friends who work at AOL and I'd rather they not lose their jobs due to sudden cuts. I'm not going to boycott Virginia businesses. I try to buy from local businesses whenever I can. Part of my beliefs center on supporting the local economy. That's not going to change.

I don't think a boycott of my state is in order. I think a huge influx of very visible queer culture is in order. I think the rest of the state should be dotted with rainbow flags the way Charlottesville is. I think "Hate is not a family value" bumperstickers should be plastered on cars in a guerilla campaign. I want to see queer families vacationing here with their kids, strolling down the boardwalk of VA Beach or taking in Civil and Revolutionary War Battlefield sites all over the state. Don't leave us in the dark. We need light more than anything right now.

Comments

[oberstgreup.livejournal.com]

I've written a bit about this in a few corners of the net, but none where anyone who knows me IRL is likely to see it, so this is as good a place as any to respond, if you don't mind.

Well, I'm not surprised or shocked.

Good. You shouldn't be, since many people representing the whole spectrum of views on this issue have been predicting exactly such a reaction for, oh, six or seven months now.

Apparently, they're so afraid of hot gay sex they'll stand for hateful acts by the Assembly.

There may be a minority within the state for whom this is true, but the political history of the last few years doesn't support the view that this is the impetus behind this bill.

Are you aware that Virginia only recently recognized, for the first time, the right of same-sex partnerships to be recognized by insurance companies for health benefits purposes? This was a huge step since prior to that only very large companies which self-insured or offered their own plans could offer same-sex partner benefits. No, that wasn't exactly civil unions, but it was a big step toward it, granted, taken rather quietly. Of course it's out the window now, this law makes it illegal once more.

So why the dramatic reversal? Are the majority of legislators in the middle more afraid of steamy gay sex this year than they were last year or the year before? I don't see any reason why they should be. No, they're afraid of a loss of political control. How many times over the last six months have we seen the spectacle of judges and elected officials sanctioning same-sex marriages in plain contravention of state laws? And how many times have we seen advocates for same-sex marriage jubilantly proclaiming that because of the Full Faith and Credit clause, the people of other states would be forced to accept these changes whether they liked it or not, that their opinions would not be consulted and their approval was not needed?

Well, here's their answer.

I think a huge influx of very visible queer culture is in order.

I think that's not a bad idea at all. But I think you need to take that a step further and ask what that culture is going to send as its message to the other citizens of Virginia. Is it going to throw down a gauntlet and dare them to fight it, to pass even more restrictive laws against it? Or is it going to do its best to show that the people who compose it are no threat to order or decency, that its agenda is not a radical one, that its members can coexist peacefully with the rest of society without turning the place into Sodom West?

I think "Hate is not a family value" bumperstickers should be plastered on cars in a guerilla campaign.

Do you really think vandalizing people's property is a good way to convince them that they should be more tolerant and accepting? Because I don't think most people react very positively to such an approach. Nor do I think they respond well to insults and inflammatory language. That's a great way to alienate people and make enemies, though.

It's like this. If those of you who support equality for gays want to fight a war with both the arch-conservatives and the undecided mainstream who are put off by excessive radicalism, you will lose. If you take your dollars and leave the state, the people you are hoping to offend will smile and wave goodbye. If you hope to win acceptance, you need to show those in the middle that you do not intend to subvert control of the political process for a radical agenda against the will of the majority, as is being done by the gay activist movement in much of the country. If you are unwilling to show this restraint then you can hardly claim to be surprised or outraged when the fear engendered by such radicalism provokes a vicious backlash that was predicted well in advance.

[krasota.livejournal.com]

re: the guerilla campaign. poor choice of words. i in no way recommend vandalizing other people's property. i meant ordering a whole bunch and distributing them for free to folks who *will* use them happily.

frankly, i'm waiting for the day when we can use eugenics in our favor and make everyone yearn for hot gay sex. we'll kill ourselves off and give the planet back to the dolphins.

yep.

[oberstgreup.livejournal.com]

Darn you. How am I supposed to start a nice rousing argument if you're not going to argue?

re: the guerilla campaign. poor choice of words. i in no way recommend vandalizing other people's property.

That's cool. I thought you meant just slapping them on every car in sight.

frankly, i'm waiting for the day when we can use eugenics

Best not to use that word 'round these parts, darlin'. Gets summa them thar legislators all excited, know what I mean?

in our favor and make everyone yearn for hot gay sex. we'll kill ourselves off and give the planet back to the dolphins.

Well, I'm already doing my part and not reproducing. Alas, I fear that just leaves more room for people who couldn't give a shit, but hey, I won't be here to see the mess.