GAZETTE Tampa Bay Gay and Lesbian News

By Stephanie Bashein Emerson
Few things hurt a company more than a drop in revenue. When this happens the people who make the big decisions come together to try and figure out what has caused their income to decline. During the civil rights movement of the 50s and 60s, boycott was a powerful tool for those fighting for equality. Many of the people working towards civil rights didn't have a lot of money, but what they had they spent judiciously, patronizing only those shops and businesses that supported their cause.

In the wake of the recent elections and the reintroduction of the Federal Marriage Amendment (now known as the "Marriage Protection Amendment" - same horse, different jockey), many disillusioned people are looking for various ways to help change the course on which a few neoconservative ideologues have set our nation. And one of the most powerful methods is where to spend one's hard-earned cash.

For instance, retail giant Wal-Mart gave a whopping 80% of their profits earmarked for donations (equaling $1,604,412) to Republican political action committees (also known as PACS - corporations are prohibited by law from giving directly to political parties); Publix 97%; Albertson's 73%; Winn Dixie 88%, all going to the PACS which support the party that perpetuated a bigoted smokescreen during the elections consisting of "God, guns and gays" instead of substantial dialogue on the war in Iraq, the loss of jobs due to outsourcing and the dismal state of health care most Americans have to endure because of a lack of affordable insurance (to name only a few). Every time we purchase items at these and other businesses (for a more in-depth list, click here), we are giving money to those who are fragmenting our entire community, not just the GLBT community. We are indirectly supporting those who are working to completely ban marriage or civil unions for same-gender couples, running roughshod over environmental concerns and, in many cases, paying their employees substandard wages with no benefits.

The good news is that there are alternatives. Costco gave 98% ($203,646) of their donations to Democratic PACS; B Dalton Bookseller (which is the parent company of Barnes and Noble) 98%; Save-On Foods 87%; Shell Oil 54%. There is a Costco in Brandon and Clearwater (unfortunately not in Sarasota, as yet); Shell stations dot the landscape; and Barnes and Noble is a very pleasant place to relax with a good book and a cup of coffee (Starbuck's is also "in the blue", giving 84% to Democratic PACS). Fast food companies also give thousands: a great place to grab a sandwich would be Arby's or Sonic Drive-In (both at 100%). These are only a few of the companies who gave the majority of their donations to Democratic PACS.

This is only one solution among many to a complex and far reaching malady. In the broadening battle for equal rights, if enough like-minded Americans used their incredible purchasing power at those businesses that uphold their ideals of equality and justice (for example, Costco's membership application accepts both spouses and domestic partners for a second card), it would empower these businesses to give even more generously to groups that are in keeping with progressive goals. Every little bit helps, as it keeps money out of the hands of those who would marginalize us even further and fracture our communities.

COMMUNITY CALENDAR presented by the Tampa Bay Business Guild

LINKS

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AIDS Memorial Bells

Tampa Bay Business Guild

Metropolitan Charities/Metro Center

gaystpete.com

Tampa Bay Lesbians

Equality Florida

National Center for Lesbian Rights

Winter Pride Tampa Bay

St. Pete Pride

queertampa.com

King of Peace MCC

First United Church of Tampa

Gypsy Productions

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