Are You Calling In "Gay?"

So have you heard about Day Without A Gay?

It is set to take place on Wednesday, December 10, which happens to be International Human Rights Day, and basically, the organizers are calling for gay people and their straight allies to call in "gay" to work and donate their time that day to being of service to LGBT and/or human rights causes. Oh, and you're also encouraged not to spend any money that day, and if you do have to make a purchase, you're asked to do it at an establishment that is LGBT-friendly.

By the way, for those of you don't define yourselves as gay but trans, bi or something else, the organizers stress that the term "gay" is being used as "shorthand" for the entire LGBT community.

The hope is that the event will keep the national dialogue regarding gay rights in the spotlight and demonstrate how generous the gay community is (through our volunteer efforts that day) and how much we contribute to the economy (through our collective non-spending that day).

It's an inspired and creative idea. I don't know whether I'll take part, though. I think I might better serve the cause by reporting on it, so, technically, I would have to work to do that. But I have a lot of friends—gay and straight—who are participating. I know because they have joined the Day Without A Gay Facebook group, and I am being flooded with notifications!

Online Surveys & Market Research

Anyway, if you want more information, visit DayWithoutAGay.org. The site provides a list of organizations that you can volunteer at if you do call in gay to work on December 10.

Of course, not everyone can take part given that there are 30 states where people can still be fired simply for being gay. For those of you who live in those states, the Day Without A Gay Web site suggests other actions you can take.

Comments

[MikeyK]

As a gay retailer, I do not support anything that hurts the small business owner. Instead of us NOT shopping, why don't we organize something that shows HOW MUCH WE ACTUALLY shop. Collect receipts at every mall and then say, "The gay community REALLY contributes ___ to the economy". Most retailers are SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS who are hurting right now anyway. We are doing this backwards.

[Kathleen]

Wyattagain1969,
My opinions need no forgiveness for you.
But thank you for the thought

[Queerplanet]

Hello Supervisor,

Hi, this is employee number 785034

Yes, Happy Holidays to you too.

Hey listen, I'm calling in gay.

Uh huh...., that's right gay.

Oh. Really.

The factory shut down last night and all the jobs were moved to China.

Well fuck.

Would you happen to have their number in China?

[Bradley]

Wow there are stupid people on here seriously. Why would you say that. SOme gay people are sick i agree with you on that one but anyways this date is stupid and boo Gay.com bcause of this article

[u r boring]

Wyatt1969again, would you please shut the fuck up already?

[montegutdude]

IMO, this "isn't" a protest.

It's practically domestic terrorism.

I am not at war with America. I am proud of my country and its capacity to change. You win some and lose some in this country. There has to be a better way to bring awareness to a cause than to launch a guerilla attack on our own faltering economy. It seems to be as mean-spirited and hateful as anything else.

It feels as though some people would enjoy bringing the government to its proverbial knees to beg for our continued participation in a society we cannot permanently remove ourselves from.

I respect your right to your opinions and my right to disagree. It is fantastic that people are so passionate about gay issues and we all agree that things need to change.

I just don't think you will earn respect by whipping forced coersion out of society.

[Queerplanet]

Hello Supervisor,

This is Employee number 3095r 85h.

Hello, I am fine and you?

Oh really?

Uh huh....

Bird flu. Gee that's awful.

oh.,.. uh huh...

You're quarantined in the building with three hundred others.

Wow. Bummer.

What was I calling about?

Oh.... uh.... wellllllll...... There's this thing....uh... a day....

oh.... well nevermind....

Nothing really, just thought I'd let you know I may be late for work.

ha! Well, guess that doesn't matter right now does it. Ha!

Well, good luck..... bye now.

[Wyatt1969again]

I’ll shut the fuck up just as soon as I can marry a man in any state in my country – America!

“U r boring” - by any chance – are you single?

LOL

Tsk tsk tsk.

[Kathleen]

montegutdude,
I'm in agreement with you. I can see the thought behind the boycott/protest day without a gay but there are just way too many of us either not out at work or who really need to be at work for it to have much impact. The only way I can see it workiing is if there is a HUGE amount of publicity about it and I just don't see that happening. Here's a thought. Many large cities and even a few smaller ones have actual gay centers or meeting places that are publically known. I know of a lesbian organization in Portland Oregon, and a gay center in Tacoma, Washington for instance. What if those of us who do not have such a presence in our communities were to somehow organize one? Yes, it is a risk because it makes us a visible target. But, as many express here--we really have to let them know we are here, and we don't plan on going away. I realize its a pretty simplistic thought, and for those in large urban areas might seem a little silly. However, having lived in both urban and rural areas, I miss gathering with those like me in the sense of being gay. I have often toyed with the idea of having a gay dance event periodically in my very small community because I know that there are MANY gays and lesbians here who just live and work in the area without making much noise about it. If our communities know we are here, know who we are because they already know us as neighbors, co-workers, etc., then I believe they are generally more likely to not view our presence as a threat. Which is what the gap between straights and gays is: they consider us a threat to their lifestyle, their families, whatever. Which, once they know who we are, becomes a non-issue. And that is where I believe equality begins, not with accentuating our differences between us and them, but showing them we are nothing to be feared. Just my two cents worth.

[Queerplanet]

I have an idea.

What if only GAY REPUBLICANS called off for the day?

And then we could fire them for taking a day off, cut their benefits, and put them all to work cleaning toilets in factories in China.

[queerplanet]

The population of the planet increases at three people per second.

What about this idea?

What if we had a day where heterosexuals called off sex for five years?

[montegutdude]

Kathleen,

I agree that the ill perception of homosexuality by the public at large is what needs to change. There are too many people voting against gay issues due to fear, indifference, or some religious obligation. Anything that can be done to make gay people feel more comfortable being out in their communities is sure to be helpful.

This is why I think portraying gay people as sissies, hairstylists, or drag queens in movies and on televsion isn't the best idea. No generalizations are wholly encompassing and these stereotypes have branded the entire gay community with its own stigma.

If we want to reach Joe America, it most likely won't be through his newspaper...it will be through his televsion. How many major theatrical releases have portrayed gay characters? How are gay characters in television treated and how many of them are there? When we see gay people in the news, are they always in the street screaming? If we want to see a perceptional shift, I think we need to increase the number of positive gay role models in mass media. It too may sound simplistic but Hollywood and the news organizations largely form the basis of society's perceptual cues as to how we all should be regarded.

Also, I recommend outreach programs to religious organizations and joint ventures between religious and gay charities, fund-raisers, and social programs. Too many of our heterosexual religious brethren are voting against our issues due to a literal interpretation of theology. We all recognize that love is love and should be able to convince enough moral-minded folk that we are deserving of their compassion and friendship.

Like you said, people need to know we shouldn't be feared. This "Day Without a Gay" is imo obviously counterproductive to that goal.

It is reflective of a singular truth though: the only question is how to reach people and then change their minds.

[Wyatt1969again]

So you’re not out at work? O.K – so be it. It really is your choice. It’s totally true that many Gay people have to hide who they are so they aren’t fired.

And rightly assumed that he or she really shouldn’t have to even consider his or her value as an employee - be qualified by whether or not he or she is a homosexual or lesbian.

But you wouldn’t be so worried about it if DISCRIMINATION didn’t exist would you?

As a matter of fact if there was no discrimination there would be no ISSUE!

Then we could all call in and arguably demonstrate without fear of some type of recrimination.

How can any of YOU excuse your personal responsibility where EQUALITY is concerned?

If you can’t call in or you won’t call in – you can’t afford it or will not demonstrate in this way because you don’t agree with the approach then do one better and figure out what you can do – DO YOUR PART – which should not include sitting on your ass and doing nothing!

Kathleen touches on a very good idea (and no I’m not trying to kiss your ass) - if it is simple – then it as well put - and certainly not without merit.

So if visibility is an issue – safety is an issue…

Consider holding a holiday party – or just a gathering - at your home and talking to each other about what you do or don’t think the right approach should be.

Really – talk to each other about what you agree with and why you feel the way you do. It can’t hurt to understand more about each other in any way.

And – if you feel pretty solid with visibility and safety then like Kathleen suggests –

Go to or create your own Gay and Lesbian Center. Do what you feel you can do or what you find out you can do – or what together as a group you can do – to do your part.

No matter what you do – as long as it isn’t violent – it’s just got to be better than doing NOTHING.

Clearly if it were up to me – shit would probably get way to serious for all sorts of people – Gay – Straight – Whomever.

But it’s not up to me – it’s up to all of us.

Together.

United.

Strong.

And by the way – two cents is in fact better than none.

[queerplanet]

Portraying homosexuals as Joe America is the problem honey.

Joe America is fucking up the planet big time.

I'd rather have a drag queen sissy hairdresser around who reads books, knows about the politics about the planet and understands something besides shoppin, breedin, and killin.

You dimbulbs who shun effeminate men in order to appease Joe America need to fucking read the headlines.

Joe America is hated by the world for being such a violent fucker.

Joe America is about to lose his home, and income due to environmental damage and loss of resources.

Joe America is owned by banks in China, Russia and Saudi Arabia.

Calling in gay for work is stupid not because it puts an activist face on being gay, but because it does not define the real political issue at stake.

Hell, I'm sure there are lots of people who'd LOVE to see their gay boss call in and not show up. Being gay does not mean people will miss you.

You want civil rights?

Then support the First Amendment.

Or shut the fuck up.

[montegutdude]

I couldn't disagree more.

Gay people are not portrayed as Joe America anywhere on any station or in any movies. In my home, they are more commonly comic relief, pedophile priests, or serial-killing child rapists on network crime dramas. It is the absence of gay role models Joe America can relate to that leads to mass discrimination.

Your negative generalizations of Joe America are about as conclusive as the stereotypes Joe seemingly has about the gay community.

I don't hate gay hairstylists or effiminate men. This is America and it is our birthright to pursue happiness. I just don't want strangers to assume I must be an effiminate hairstylist or a pedophile when they learn of my sexuality.

And, in my opinion, that is the problem.

[Steve D.]

If your boss/company isn't homophobic, why punish them?

If your boss/company is homophobic, Not showing up for work will give them the right to fire you even in states with workplace protection for LGBT employees.

Why boycott a gay or gay-friendly business?

Boycotting a homophobic business is good, but why not boycott them every day? If you're gay and you ever shop at Wal-Mart, what are you thinking?

[queerplanet]

Or better yet, how about if we boycott Joe America?

You know, actually educate yourself that the USA has the largest military ever assembled and uses it to keep corporate resources in place, meanwhile murdering innocent people in the path of those resources.

The USA has the largest prison population ever assembled with over two million people in prison, and now with the extinction of Habeus Corpus and human rights, they can be tortured and held without trial.

Take a look at the cabinet Obama just assembled filled with war mongers, oil company lobbyists, and medical industry hacks.

Look at how the USA has destroyed every treaty for environmmental protection around the world.

Then look at the obese, gun toting, God fearing, fag hating, idiots who would rather watch football than actually do something with their lives.

Yeah, Joe America.

And his wife, Sarah Palin.

Conclusive? Turn off FOX news you blithering fool and do some research.

And yeah, gay people are also serial killers and pedophiles. That's why asking someone to call off for a day because they are gay is stupid.

Hey, I'd like the gay people who work for the military industrial complex to call of for a day. But not because they are gay!

Your birthright to pursue happiness in the USA has been underwritten by Chevron and Exxon and Halliburton.

And they have rescinded that right due to the high cost of doing business.

And it has nothing to do with you being gay.

[montegutdude]

I tripped over your soapbox and lost your message.

[Queerplanet]

While you're pandering to Joe America,

Joe America is breedin, shoppin and killin his way to extinction.

Clear enough?

[Queerplanet]

Hey there Joe,

This is Butch, and I'm not coming into work today.

That's right dude, takin the day off.

Me and my bros going out and shoot some deer, drink some beer and watch some steer.

Why's that you ask? Well Joe, it' cause we're gay. And we want to send a message to Amerka.

That's right Joe. Gay.

oh....

uh huh....

Oh I didn't know that. You're gay too? But Joe, you have a wife and six kids.

Oh.... discreet huh. Well damn.

Well, you wanna come huntin with us?

We found this fabulous cabin on Gay.com travel section.

[queerplanet]

PART TWO.

A Phone Call To Joe.

Joe,

Butch again, hey we just heard the news.

Yeah, who'd have thought war would break out in Detroit? Fuck dude, kind of messes up our plans to take the day off.

How bad did they bomb the factory?

Damn dude.

So, is your wife out of town?

[CHRISTOPHER]

this is stupid what does have "who u sleep with " have anyting to do with work or shopping? I came out with Anita Bryant this is the behavior that gets "great" attn for the gay community thanks for pulling in the men that dont play that way! some of us dont hide but dont throw it out for everyone to see ...... peace out

[Wyatt1969again]

Well Queerplanet – I agree and I don’t.

Yes – fuck Halliburton et al.

There aint a mother fucker who doesn’t feel the slip of his rights in some way.

Maybe that’s the best way to put it.

We’re all in this shit together when considering the world’s problems and consequently the growing America of ill repute.

But I aint gonna sit around and feel bad for a bunch of other fucking mistakes – just because yet another finally came home to roost - in my face.

No; I will not ignore them (sorry a-z I just can’t get over it LOL).

Fuck that shit too.

What can I say about much of what you, QP, have said? Yes – yes yes yes.

Do I know I need to fix the other shit?

Yes.

Does this make what I face now any less important?

No.

Yes and No.

The hour is in fact - late.

Right now it doesn’t matter of if I wasted time destroying the planet or handing over my country’s assets to another.

Sounds harsh I am sure.

Fuck Joe America if he’s a gun toting anti Gay mother fucking pig bitch.

So what am I saying?

I sometimes hate my right toe - as much as my left toe - that’s what.

I made Joe America.

You made Joe America.

When the chips are really down – perceived or otherwise – we all turn our heads while Joe America does the dirty work for us – so don’t forget about that.

That we can – any of us – turn around and throw Joe under the bus after he cleaned out the closet for us – is BULLSHIT.

At what point did any of us realize so much more was going on? And at that very point – did we stop what we were doing and say – NO! Don’t do it like that? No we did not.

If some of us did – not enough of us did – IRONIC for sure.

Right now Gay and Lesbian and Bisexual and Transgebdered people are not allowed to marry the people they love in California as well as other states. I believe this is a matter of civil rights infringement – and I don’t give a fuck if anyone disagrees.

Right now – THAT is fucking UNACCEPTABLE to me.

So if Joe America shows up to my house then – yes - I might be inclined to say something like – now look what WE got our selves into - and I will be referring first to all you have mentioned QP.

I’m willing to share the blame with Joe and Dick and Donald and George (and don’t think it doesn’t pain me to fucking say this – it does). But here again – I did not do enough – and must accept part of the responsibility.

I am not willing to minimize another problem which in fact holds the same potential to elicit apathy or add to the growing sense of fatalism in our country.

We are down right now – all of us.

We’ll get back up – all of us.

We have made mistakes – all of us.

We are at once critical and culpable – all of us.

We are Americans – citizens of these United States.

Not perfect and sometimes looking just a little too evil to the rest of the world.

We can blame no one for our problems without first blaming OURSELVES.

So I must pick which part of my backyard to start cleaning before I criticize too many others – even know it’s hard to do this.

I pick Gay Rights and my right to marry the person I love. So that in the event he dies again – I don’t have to wait TWO FUCKIGN MONTHS and then find out from a fucking friend.

It’s just that fucking simple.

AND –

My dear CHRISTOPHER – if you’re going to mention ANITA BRYANT – then you might want to mention the mother fucking FLORIDA CITRUS COMMISSION.

Your fucking cup of O.J. is in fact HALF EMPTY!

[Aaron]

Call in gay?

Who the hell puts these lame ass people in place so they can speak for the gay community? Are all these people independantly wealthy and can afford to "call in gay" which by the way is the stupidest thing I've ever heard of. My boss would laugh at me and demand that I come in if I did such a thing.

I get the protests and I get the boycotting and what not, but you can't just demand that people NOT show up to work because they're feeling gay that day. It's not supposed to be a disease remember!?!?! Why don't we just all show up at the Christian Coalition and ask them to pray away our gay so we can all go to work?

Geez, we're supposed to be creative.

If the organizers agree to pay my bills I will gladly take the day off and be gay...otherwise this is stupid.

[OH THAT WILL SHOW EM]

Call in gay!? STUPID! This would further push the ailing economy toward the point of no return -- and then they'll blame it all on us! Yea, I can see myself winning friends and gaining support of our community in this...NOT! This is a hair-brained scheme that even Ralph Kramden wouldn't have tried. Whoever came up with this idea: hopefully you're not in charge of anything for real.

[Dream Janus]

I think that instead of taking a day off from work and doing a token amount of community service, we as a community should stop buying from the non-gay related business, stop taking the bus, train or subway, stop giving away our talents to the straight community and start using our gay businesses instead of the straights because it is easier.

[Will]

If you want to take a day off, schedule it like everyone else must do and then you can donate your time to a good cause. Playing hooky will only further the stereotype that gay people are frivolous and irresponsible.

[paul.seidell@gmail.com]

reading the comments are hilarious ....its good to see there are just as much intolerance in the gay community as the rest of the population... once again it proves we are all one.....

[paul.seidell@gmail.com]

reading the comments are hilarious ....its good to see there are just as much intolerance in the gay community as the rest of the population... once again it proves we are all one.....

[The Devil of the Contra Code]

Wyatt is the hilarious in this thread. And reiterating, I do my part. But I'm not calling in "gay" for work. Its actually revolting just thinking about this ill-conceived boycott. Progress is made of WIN in here.

[Esteban]

I would be lying if I said I didn't want to do this. Being the fact that I'm in the military, calling in would be an issue. I defend a country that doesn't defend our rights, I've lost friends, to the Don't Ask, Don't Tell policy, and I ask you to take part in this, for us who fight day in and out, hopeing for a better future. All I can do for you is to fight for our freedom, I ask you to fight for our rights. Thank You.

[craig]

This is such an easy way to show the 'strait' (SWM) community that we have a huge impact on the economy. I heard that gays impact is $116 billion per year. the religious-right has only $6 billion a year. why are we suffering at their hands?

I heard someone say,"if it weren't for Jews and gays, there wouldn't be an entertainment industry." If we can get that industry from showing any work from Jewish people, gays, and supporters there would be a good demonstration of our impact on the world.

I only support those stores that support our community. Let the others suffer from the drop in sales.

[Wyatt1969again]

[Note: Include in today’s lesson plan the definition of “Bra” – as it pertains to the use of “Bro”.]

Example: “Yo bra – what up!”

This means - “Hello friend (brother) – How are you?”

Or…

Example: “Check it out bra!”

This means – “Pay attention friend (brother) – I am about to tell you something important!”

Let us begin. Shall we?

Wealth is not amassed without sacrifice.

Of course your Boss will demand you show up!

My suggestion - start dating him and put it down like a pro.

Or…

Call in sick instead of Gay

Or…

Don’t call in at all – just do you part – whatever that is.

I don’t Demand that you call in Gay.

I demand EQUAL rights.

I am left handed – I am very, very, very creative.

How much you wanna bet – if you looked hard enough – you’d fine the money to afford the day off?

If we have the power to push the economy further toward the point of no return – then we must in fact be pretty powerful.

If Ed Norton turned out to be Gay – Ralph would stand by his friend.

I don’t know who suggested this – but if he looks like the guy in the photo – he’s almost as cute as this Professor I just met (*wink*).

Good point – Dream Janus!

I never met a frivolous and irresponsible Gay man until – Today.

The word “intolerance” should not be confused with “argue” or “descent” or “disagree” or “discourse”.

Check it out bra – I am hilarious. If I couldn’t laugh at half the shit I have been through I wouldn’t be here today.

I think Esteban has made a very, very, very good point.

I think Craig is on the mother fucking money – at least 100 billion dollars ever year are brought by Gays and Lesbians and Bisexuals and Transgendered people to the market place.

THAT IS POWER.

Chew on that bitches! Chew the fuck on THAT.

[Wyatt1969again]

Sorry everyone – I forgot the “Y” in “every”. It’s uhhhhhhhhh – a chromosome thing. Look it up. See! I am hilarious!

[montegutdude]

Rosa Parks didn't hijack the bus.

[tim]

This is pretty stupid. Gay or strait I'm part of a team at work and the rest of the crew is counting on me. Yes, I'm a FAGGOT but I'm not like you. I support my team at work. Besides they know I'm a FAGGOT and they don't care.

[Frank]

We will NOT gain equality by NOT doing our share in this fight. Any civil rights movement involves some personal sacrifice...a massive statement proclaiming that we ARE EQUAL !! Apathetic cry-babies continue as you were...complaining yet never willing to walk the walk.

[montegutdude]

I find it amusing that to debate a provocative action is akin to being an "apathetic crybaby."

I'm neither.

Where I come from, respect is earned.

[corrective_unconscious]

The intro blurb here refers to the day's "organizers." Who are they, exactly? 'Cos from the idiocy, the lack of information and the lone individual's email address given as a contact on the page it looks like the concept was hatched by one person on a whim. How about a little better gatekeeping or a measure of skepticism?

[Me]

Street protests, walkouts, etc... are tactics to SHOW STRENGTH IN NUMBERS. It won't work for a minority group because we don't have enough people to make a good impact. The court is where it will be settled. Not the street! Go to work that day and donate that day paycheck to various LGBT legal funds of your choice if you don't feel like earning money that day.

PS: Isn't this one of the tactics of the illegals? Haven't they screwed us enough? It only worked for them because they outnumber us a gazillion to one. That's why they were able to screw us at the polls. People won't learn, would they!

[Wyatt1969again]

Rosa Parks did hijack the bus.

Did she steal it? Of course not. She did make a difference though. If you are speaking about whether or not Rosa yelled too much – well I just don’t know.

That’s another matter entirely.

I imagine many people yelled when they came home having had to endure the fact that they were actually asked by a white person to get up and move.

That failing to do so would result in your/their being kicked off the bus or even arrested and thrown in jail.

Perhaps some yelled louder than others.

Perhaps only those more timid were heard?

When I was younger I worked on a few teams doing important work. There were times when the men I worked with realized I was or am Gay and it didn’t matter – we were a team. There were times when it did matter to them – we were not a team.

Now this might sound a little tricky but thinking that you are more than that which you are viewed as within the scope of your employment position might, for some, be a double edged sword.

When you look at yourself – what do you see? How do you define who it is you are? Are you the Carpenter first then the Husband? The Scientist then the wife?

And in so defining yourself, where does Gay or Lesbian lie? Where does what ought to and ought not to be exist for you?

If you think marriage is of no great importance then can you not see that it is not even the question posed but sometimes by whom it is asked that is the problem?

Can you not see a little deeper and understand that OTHER people are deciding for you what you can and cannot do?

And in doing so - forcing you to be defined by them - to their liking and without YOUR consultation.

I don’t know about the rest of you – about how you really feel when you are home by yourself or with friends or a partner or really what or whomever.

Personally I truly think that this Prop 8’s passage is the result of underestimating those who seek to oppose you without knowing you or trying to get to know you because they are motivated by fear preached to them from both the pulpit and, unfortunately, through the very real transmission of culture itself.

This is one of those not so tidy moments when we should realize that our enemy’s enemy is in fact ours as well.

If this happened over land, food and gun powder – we’d be fucked. Period.

Interestingly enough if it were over land, food and gun powder – our enemy’s enemy would in fact be our friend – as it has already been demonstrated.

Honestly I think protest is always of great value and too much time should not be spent deciding how to go about it. As in most cases – descent within the group always exists for it is this same wheel which determines the greater fate of all humanity – Choice.

President Barak Obama is the new hope for all of us in many ways. The hope he inspires truly can change the world. Sounds like a tall order and it is. But it isn’t impossible. It can only be made improbable if we stop believing in ourselves. In who we really know we are.

Those who specifically oppose Gay and Lesbian marriage are entitled to the same hope for they too are American. They have toiled and sacrificed right alone side of us.

I think in the end – it is this shared struggle which will finally help us prevail.

In the mean time – write on!

Don’t forget about Publius – The Federalist #80.

One of three said,

“It has also been asked, what need of the word "equity What equitable causes can grow out of the Constitution and laws of the United States? There is hardly a subject of litigation between individuals, which may not involve those ingredients of FRAUD, ACCIDENT, TRUST, or HARDSHIP, which would render the matter an object of equitable rather than of legal jurisdiction, as the distinction is known and established in several of the States. It is the peculiar province, for instance, of a court of equity to relieve against what are called hard bargains: these are contracts in which, though there may have been no direct fraud or deceit, sufficient to invalidate them in a court of law, yet there may have been some undue and unconscionable advantage taken of the necessities or misfortunes of one of the parties, which a court of equity would not tolerate. In such cases, where foreigners were concerned on either side, it would be impossible for the federal judicatories to do justice without an equitable as well as a legal jurisdiction. Agreements to convey lands claimed under the grants of different States, may afford another example of the necessity of an equitable jurisdiction in the federal courts. This reasoning may not be so palpable in those States where the formal and technical distinction between LAW and EQUITY is not maintained, as in this State, where it is exemplified by every day's practice.”

Good Luck everyone.

Good luck.

[LazyHomo]

A gay guy laying out of work? Nothing unusual or surprising about that. In fact, I think it'd be more surprising if every gay guy DID all show up at work on the same day.

[SPLERRK]

NO!
I will not call in sick.
I donate my time & monies to all charites gay or str8 when I can & have recycled ever since i can remember.
I have done enough.
I voted NO on 8 for my fellow GAYS when I could really could care less & wanted to vote YES.

San Francisco Mayor blew it for us when he said "Whether you like it or not".

If anything it brings the attention to us & some other messed up in the head straight folk to the extent of more hate crimes against us.

Like it or Not, we are the ultimate minority & always will be & along with any minority/majority that alone is unequality within itself in both the gay & str8 worlds.
And in the U.S., we are "1 nation under GOD."

Let the hetros have it.
One less thing for me to worry or STRESS about.

When I see EQUAL respect amongst our GAY selves 1st, maybe next year.

That voice that everyone hears withing our heads is I believe GOD talking to us & I personally don't need to be a part of any religious affiliation to know right from wrong no matter how bad my spelling is.

My Sexual Identity is a part of my Personal & Private life and then is a lot more to me then just that.

There is at least one of us in every crowd, although you couldn't really tell with me MOST of the time.

If me & my partner define our relatinship as marriage in our home & to those closest to us, that is fine by us.

Work & Play hard are still seperate issues. I support Don't ask/ Don't tell.
Either way it is no one elses's business. Could be a sexaul harrassment suit if you think about it but who has the time.
My wHusWife & I are smart enough to legally give ourselves each other's money & hospital barial rights after death do us part, anyways.

Doesn't make me a closet case either if me & my partner have more str8 friends then gay either.

We don't have to like Barbara, Liza, Bette, Cher, or Madonna if we don't want to either.

If this isn't "Politically Correct" to you, then fine.
I am not running for office & Wouldn't need YOUR vote to win anyways.

Welcome to America where EVERYONE IS EQUALLY FREE TO BITCH.

Especially here in GAY.com

LOL

[Wyatt1969again]

Dude the fucking Mayor of San Francisco didn’t blow shit for anyone.

Bad call – maybe?

How the fuck are you gonna blame some cat for all this shit?

Check it out Mr. I can blend – chameleon – almost invisible. Maybe you should go join the fucking Fantastic Four. And while you’re at it – get that hot flame dudes number for me BRA.

Thanks.

Worried about hate crime? So whatya sayin?

Don’t make any noise or we’ll be beat?

What the fuck are you? A Kopo?

The ultimate minority? Hmmm. Ehhh – ya…NO!

Feel like picking a spot in line for yourself? Go right ahead. Just don’t bitch when I cut in front of you on my way to solidarity and freedom.

Sounds like you’ve already given it all over (submit) – so you shouldn’t be too STRESSED.

Check it out Trick – I’ll be the first to admit there’s a ton of Gay dudes I don’t get – I don’t like – and really I could do the fuck with out.

For example:

Overly Polished Queers – don’t like em – but will still defend them any ol day.

Or…

Leather Fags who sound like girls when they open their mouths – HHH! Oh how this kills me – don’t get it – but I will defend them any ol day.

Or…

Drag Queens who don’t know the value of a good pair of heels! – this really does annoy me to no end – I could do with out them – but I will defend them – oh yes I will – any and every day.

Enough said about all that.

Now – personally – I find the hardest word to spell (I have Dyslexia) – to be: “Pullyourheadoutofyourass”. I’m always confusing it with terms like Palindrome or Purification or PPP-Petty.

By the way SPLEERK - I think you mean to say “there” when you say “then”.

I think when people see me in a crowd they think a few things in this order.

He’s Gay
Hmmm – he’s kinda big.
He looks a little mean.
(then they hear me speak)
He’s fucking crazy so if I’m going to call him a faggot – I better do it from a distance.

I’ll take “Don’t ask don’t tell” until something better comes along – like – mind your own fucking business.

As for the rest of your crap – tell the truth – you’re a Republican aren’t you!

Just kidding!

LOL

[Arnod]

This should merely be about awareness about the fact that in some countries, homosexuality is still being treated as an illness. So why not go to work, but take opportunity at lunch to talk to some people about this initiative. That way, you do raise awareness, without raising frustration. Please don't tell me I'm the only one seeing some humour in this initiative?
(That being said, I'm a 23 yo student from Copenhagen with a relationship of 5 years, so my situation is different than that of most.)

[Bradley]

I told my boss about this and yes she knows that i am bisexual. Or for all you Judgemental and don't believe in Bisexuality i guess that makes me gay huh? SHE Laugh so hard, She goes that is so stupid. I told her yes it is. WOW!!! I swear thats why we don't have any rights because of people that are going to do this. Will gay.com be empty and what would happen to this website for 1 day.

[corrective_unconscious]

I'd still like to know who the "organizers" of this are, because, now that this story has leaked into the mainstream media in an unflattering way, I think it's entirely possible the "organizers" of "calling in gay" don't have the best interests of the g.l/b/t community in mind.

The equating of queerness with sickness - as in "calling in sick" - is a typical right wing, homophobic trope.

How about a bit more skepticism from the gatekeepers in gay media outlets and from the community at large?

[corrective_unconscious]

I'd still like to know who the "organizers" of this are, because, now that this story has leaked into the mainstream media in an unflattering way, I think it's entirely possible the "organizers" of "calling in gay" don't have the best interests of the g/l/b/t community in mind.

The equating of queerness with sickness - as in "calling in sick" - is a typical right wing, homophobic trope.

How about a bit more skepticism from the gatekeepers in gay media outlets and from the community at large?

[Wyatt1969again]

It is 5:30 AM – the 10th of December.

I have just called my assistants and given them both the day off – as yes it was paid so don’t freak the fuck out.

I will cancel all three of my appointments today at the last minute.

I am not shopping at all.

There is this Bitch at a local retailer where I shop almost every day. They have one of the best return policy’s around. Yet when I was there a few weeks ago – she tried to fucking run me like a show – so I turned into a bitch in like .00000003 seconds.

I left with a smile and her with a chagrin. That’s right!

A mother-cha-fucking-grin BITCH.

I think I’ll return small items to that store today – through out the day.

There will be no pilfering of my rights today.

[oldergay]

I've read what you have to say. There is much lively conversation, but as an older man, I want to remind you that in the 60's, we were all in hiding. In the 80's, we could be fired from our jobs for being gay. In the 90's it was assumed we were dying if we were gay. In my lifetime, gay people have not been generally accepted and we regularly lied about our sexual preference to get ahead in the world. We "passed" as straight. But, I didn't stop going to work, and I didn't stop coming out privately or introducing people to my boyfriend. And I was not alone. That's what so many of us did. And, we lost friends and we lost family, but we also gained friends and we built new families. And guess what, over time, people's opinions about gays changed because they got to know people like me and learned that we weren't predators and monsters. And because we weren't, they realized they could be friends with anyone that was gay, or work with anyone that was gay, or party with anyone that was gay. It was its own kind of movement, and it took a long time.

I know you're angry and I absolutely support anyone that took off today, regardless of the reason they gave their employer. But change doesn't always come from protest. Change comes from integration. So, if you're at work, like I am, or even if you're not, come out to someone. I promise you, from the voice of experience, you'll get just as far refusing to be kept in the closet as you will get by holding your money for the day, or doing volunteer work for one day out of a lifetime.

Remember we who came before persevered and created a situation where so many Americans accept gays. Remember that we didn't do it by protesting. We did it by showing people what we had in common, not how we were different. Enjoy the day and if it isn't all you want it to be, work to change tomorrow. And, if you are the victim of injustice, have the courage to stand up and shout "UNFAIR". But, if you're not the victim of injustice, you might help the cause more by sitting down and whispering, "Hey, wanna see a pic of me and my boyfriend?"