The Importance of Using Local Queer Friendly Businesses
I'm a procrastinator. There, I admit it. I've been meaning to call and have someone out to take a look at our garage door for about a month now but for 'some reason' haven't had the 3 minutes to make the call. The problem is that out of the blue our garage door started only opening half way and sometimes if we're lucky, 3/4 of the way so that we can just barely slip under it.
So today on my way to the mailbox I saw a van drive by that said "Dave's Garage Doors". Perfect I thought! A reminder! I just happened to have my little iPhone on my person and I Googled "garage doors portland oregon". For whatever reason "Dave's" was the second on the list so I called.
While on hold I noticed that they were playing a local Christian radio station, one that happens to feature a notoriously anti-gay, former Measure 36 spokesperson Georgine Rice (pictured). I paused then asked my partner what he thought about that. Now don't get me wrong - we're church going folk, we just happen to attend a church that welcomes all - not one of exclusion.
I quickly thought it through and when the woman came back on the phone I told her I need to check my calendar first and that I would call back.
I immediately went to my computer and visited the Portland Gay and Lesbian Yellow Pages. As surely as I cannot say for certain whether Dave's Garage Doors would be somewhat anti-gay, I can say with certainty that Precision Door Service who I found on is not anti-gay.
I urge you not only during the holiday season but year-round to do the same thing and utilize the Portland Gay and Lesbian Yellow Pages for whatever you may need. And don't forget to tell them where you found them!
And for those of you who aren't in the Portland metro area - it is as easy as Googling "your city" and "gay and lesbian yellow pages".
Labels: personal life, portland
This entry was posted
on Saturday, December 08, 2007 at 3:35 PM.
Want to discuss? Leave a comment below.
ByJust an idea...
Next time you come across a Christian business, tell them you listen to KKPZ 1330 AM and/or that you read the Christian News Northwest Newspaper, and can you get their discount for that?
You can find also find a list of them here:
http://www.internationalharvesters.org/services.asp
Hey, a discount is a discount. I think it would be funny if my partner and I paid less for a service from a business owner that might normally be insulted to give me the time of day.
By
Tan - I think you missed the point though.
The point I was trying to drive home was that you should vote with your dollar. Giving right-wing businesses your money does nothing for that, in fact exactly the opposite.
Also it should be noted that when I called the queer friendly business they asked me how I heard about them and I told them I saw them in the Gay and Lesbian Yellow Pages. They then told me that they have an ad in there for $10 off.
So not only did I get a queer friendly company that pays money to advertise in the Portland Gay and Lesbian Yellow Pages, but I saved money while doing it and I am supporting a business that outwardly displays support for the GLBT community.
By
You could have so fixed it yourself...seriously.
By
I think it's great to support gay-friendly businesses. However, I don't like the idea of discriminating against a business that may be conservative Christian. After all, many gay-friendly businesses wouldn't exist if they were boycotted by conservative Christians masses.
That said, I would boycott a business that supported anti-gay politics. So, I would avoid businesses that sponsor Georgene Rice and other anti-gay political activists.
By
Rider:
We tried fixing it ourselves. If youa re in the neighborhood - feel free to stop by and attempt it.
But my true point is, support businesses that actually support you, rather than those who may possibly give money to the other side.
After working for Basic Rights Oregon for close to two years - I see the importance of this even more.
By
Georgine Rice fixes garage doors? Oh my. I don't think I could go their either. I forget who fixed our garage door in the past...I'm going to have to go out and look at the little sticker that they left in the garage for me to refer to.....I hope it's not Dave's. I can't stand the thought. You'll excuse me while I go off to attend a Welcoming and Affirming Church this morning.
By
I didn't miss the point, and I agree with you. I'll try to be a little more clear next time I've got a tongue in cheek. Especially when I'm providing a resource to help research businesses that may be discriminatory.
Sorry it didn't translate well to print.
By
Hmmm? I stumbled across your blog and am amazed at the hypocrisy; if Christians "vote with their dollars" against gay interests, we're bigots but you're just savvy. I mean you really chose a different business because of the radio playing on their hold function. How unbelievably petty! Is that the kind of tolerance the gay community is always talking about? Interesting. You've given me an idea. I never would've thought of this myself but I think I'll use the gay yellow pages and look specifically for businesses that don't mix their business with politics I don't agree with. Thanks for activating/polarizing me.
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