Day Without Gay

Where
Across the Commonwealth

Map
Day Without Gay Home

When
December 10, 2008

Our community contributes $700 billion a year to this economy (the same amount as the bailout), yet we are not given equal protections under the law that every citizen deserves. As such, it is time we make a stand. During the largest shopping season of the year, we ask that you do one very important thing: Don't Buy Anything! What would happen to this world if the LGBTQ community didn't exist? Why is it that we continue to contribute to an economy and government that does not contribute to us? Let's answer these questions on December 10th!

WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? Anyone who wants to make an impact and drive a message to our government that WE DESERVE CIVIL EQUALITY. This means the LGBTQ community and it also means our amazing allies!

Kentucky Equality Federation Warning: Kentucky law does not provide protection for LGBT people in employment; bottom line..... unless you work for the Commonwealth (story)

, you can be terminated simply because of your sexual orientation or gender identity. Covington, Lexington, and Louisville have city ordinances that protect LGBT people from discrimination, but there is no law that covers the entire Commonwealth that protects our community.

WHY THE NAME "A DAY WITHOUT GAYS"? The name was inspired by the film A DAY WITHOUT A MEXICAN and the nationwide strike in 2006 called A DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS that protested against proposed immigration laws.

WHY STRIKE NOW DURING AN ECONOMIC DOWNTURN? While one day won't destroy the economy, it will send a clear signal that we are serious about getting our rights. Also, strikes and boycotts are more effective in an economic downturn because business owners have more to lose.

WHY A STRIKE AND A BOYCOTT? General strikes and economic boycotts have been a powerful form of non-violent protest in the history of civil rights movements, from the Montgomery Bus Boycott to the anti-apartheid boycotts in the 1980s. For many of those protesters, their actions came at a great sacrifice but they were willing to risk everything to obtain their rights.

WHAT IF I CAN'T MISS WORK? That's OK. It's important to note that many states still do not have anti-discrimination laws on the books with regards to employment discrimination against sexual orientation. If you are afraid to miss work, if your pocket book can't handle it, or if you work for a great LGBTQ advocate and friend, then go to work. All we ask is that you PACK YOUR LUNCH. It's that simple. This boycott helps to increase our visibility if we don't go to work, but you can participate in the economic boycott by simply not consuming.

OUR RECOMMENDATIONS:

Consider serving as a volunteer, or on the Board of Directors of an organization. Click here for Kentucky Equality's Volunteer Application.
Donate $10.00 to an LGBT non-profit in Kentucky. Click here for Kentucky Equality's donation page.
Display Kentucky Equality artwork on your MySpace or Facebook page to increase awareness; the more people we have on our email list, the stronger we are!

Kentucky Equality Federation is a proud member of the International Lesbian and Gay Association, and the proud winner of the 2007 Impact Award for Social Justice.

Day Without Gay

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