Members TownsendPLocke Posted February 25, 2014 Members Posted February 25, 2014 A friend and I had every intention of having a nice time visiting LurkerSpeaks and hopefully some other MERmen (cough Totally Oz cough) in Phoenix during their wonderful Pride weekend. And then some jackasses had to go and upset our plans by implying that our gay dollars might not be welcome in Arizona Plane tickets have been purchased,hotels have been reserved=but all of that is cancellable 48 hours prior to us leaving. So without getting political(is that even remotely possible in this circumstance?I hope so because I have never ventured into the Politics forum nor would i in the future) Is it better to support those looking to further the "Gay Agenda" and spend our Gay Dollars at businesses that support us, Or to stay away and let the tourism folks know that you stayed away and why. Here is a blog post from George Takei regarding this issue http://www.allegiancemusical.com/blog-entry/razing-arizona Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 Townie, I sincerely hope that, regardless of the outcome of our current bill, you and your friend do come to Phoenix for our Pride Celebration. I know you have your loyalties as far as hotels go, but there is a gay owned and run, very nice boutique hotel if you wish to stay there. (The Clarendon). Likewise, if you do make the trip, I promise to only take you to gay bars and gay restaurants. Quote
Members MsGuy Posted February 25, 2014 Members Posted February 25, 2014 Just my opinion but since you are going to be taking part in the Pride Day celebrations, I don't see a principled objection to your trip. It's not like it's a district sales convention or a random personal vacation. Cancelling your hotel reservations while notifying both the local manager and the chain sales office of your reasons and re-booking at The Clarendon or maybe a gay owned B&B would serve to make your point and keep your dollars in gay hands. ==== Lurker, it might help if you post it here if/when the governor goes ahead and signs the bill into law. I know she is under some pressure from Arizona business interests to veto it but I don't know which way she leans. http://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/big-business-arizona-gay-discrimination-bill-bad-economy-n37711 Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 There has been some major campaigns underway to convince Gov Brewer to veto the bill. She says she will make a decision one way or the other by this Friday. My gut feeling is that she will veto it. People still talk about us here in AZ who refused to honor (at first) MLK day. Then we had the disaster of SB1070 and its ramifications. Add to all of that, our "wonderful" Sheriff Joe, and we are the laughing stock of the civilized world. And who could forget Gov. Brewer "wagging her finger" at President Obama. Arizona is poised to once again be the main addition to another topic here at boytoy.. the "Joke of the Day" Several large companies (Apples, Marriott, and American Airlines) as well as the NFL Superbowl Committee have contacted Gov. Brewer, expressing their dislike for this bill and what it says about Arizona. Quote
Guest EXPAT Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 I will be going to Phoenix the weekend of March 22 to see the kickoff of Cher's world tour. But I've decided to stay at a friends house so I'm not spending hotel dollars. And I'm bringing my food with me so I won't be spending any money while I'm in town. I would cancel all together but this was planned months ago. But I have cancelled my hotel and my dinner reservations while I was to be there. So I will be cooking at my friends house with food I purchase in California. I also told the manager at the Hilton that I cancelled because I won't spend money in a state with legalized discrimination. He knew nothing of the bill. Isn't that sad? Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 The owner of the Clarendon, Ben Bethel, has been one of the leaders in spearheading the campaign to convince Gov. Brewer to do the right thing. http://goclarendon.com/ Quote
Members TampaYankee Posted February 25, 2014 Members Posted February 25, 2014 I suspect that losing one Super Bowl was enough. Most homophobes are probably even more fanatic about football. I know hoteliers, restauranteurs and tchotchke shop owners are. Brewer will veto. Quote
AdamSmith Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 Indeed. Money talks. Arizona Republicans urge governor to veto anti-gay billState sentators who voted for bill allowing religious business owners to refuse service to gay people now call for a veto Associated Press in Phoenix theguardian.com, Monday 24 February 2014 15.06 EST Three Republican Arizona state senators who voted for a bill allowing business owners with strongly held religious beliefs to refuse service to gay people sent a letter to governor Jan Brewer on Monday urging her to veto the legislation. The letter came as more prominent Republicans pressed the GOP governor for a veto, including senator John McCain. Five of seven Republican candidates for governor also have called for the bill to be vetoed or withdrawn. The latest is Frank Riggs, a former California congressman, who said it is a “solution in search of a problem”. Senators Bob Worsley, Adam Driggs and Steve Pierce sent their letter urging the veto just days after they joined the entire 17-member senate GOP caucus in voting for the bill. “I was not comfortable with the vote,” Worsley told the Associated Press. “I have not been comfortable with this for some time. I think laws are on the books that we need and have now seen the ramifications of my vote. I feel very bad and it was a mistake.” The legislation has set off a firestorm across the nation from gay rights backers and politicians of all stripes. Arizona’s two republican US senators, Jeff Flake and McCain, are urging a veto, as are business groups like the Arizona chamber of commerce and industry. McCain weighed in Monday with a tweet saying “I hope Gov Brewer will veto #SB1062.” The bill is being pushed by the Center for Arizona Policy, a social conservative group that opposes abortion and gay marriage. The group says the proposal is needed to protect against increasingly activist federal courts and simply clarifies existing state law. CAP president Cathi Herrod is urging Brewer to sign the legislation and deriding what she called “fear-mongering” from its opponents. “The attacks on SB 1062 ... represent precisely why so many people are sick of the modern political debate,” Herrod wrote in a weekend posting on the group’s website. “Instead of having an honest discussion about the true meaning of religious liberty, opponents of the bill have hijacked this discussion through lies, personal attacks, and irresponsible reporting. “Our elected leaders have a fundamental duty to protect the religious freedom of every Arizonan, and that’s what SB 1062 is all about.” If SB1062 is vetoed, it will be a major defeat for Herrod’s group, which is seen as a powerful force on the Arizona political scene. Herrod suffered a similar defeat last year when she tried to get the Legislature to tack anti-abortion language onto a Medicaid expansion bill that Brewer was pushing. That effort angered Brewer, herself a strong opponent of abortion. The bill is expected to be formally transmitted to Brewer as early as Monday, and she’ll then have five days to act. Brewer doesn’t comment on pending legislation, but she vetoed a similar measure last year. That action, however, came during an unrelated political standoff, and it’s not clear whether she would support or reject this plan. But with the business community lining up against the plan, Brewer could have cover for a veto. She’s worked hard to return Arizona’s economy to pre-recession levels with business-friendly incentives and tax cuts. Pierce said he and the others went along to present a solid Republican front, despite misgivings. “We were uncomfortable with it to start with and went along with it thinking it was good for the caucus,” Pierce said. “We really didn’t want to vote for it, but we made a mistake and now we’re trying to do what’s right and correct it.” But their letter also said while the intent of their vote “was to create a shield for all citizens’ religious liberties, the bill has been mischaracterized by its opponents as a sword for religious intolerance”. The bill allows any business, church or person to cite the law as a defense in any action brought by the government or individual claiming discrimination. Opponents call it a license to discriminate against gay people. Similar religious protection legislation has been introduced in Ohio, Mississippi, Idaho, South Dakota, Tennessee and Oklahoma, but Arizona’s plan is the only one that has passed. The efforts are stalled in Idaho, Ohio and Kansas. Republicans stressed that the bill is not about discrimination but protecting religious freedom. They frequently cite the case of a New Mexico photographer who was sued after refusing to take wedding pictures of a gay couple. They said Arizona needs a law to protect people in the state from heavy-handed actions by courts. Another frequently cited example is a suit brought against an Oregon baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a gay couple. The businesses were sued, but those efforts came under state laws that extended protected-class status to gay people. Arizona has no such law protecting people based on sexual orientation. http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/24/arizona-republicans--governor-veto-anti-gay-bill Quote
Members boiworship Posted February 25, 2014 Members Posted February 25, 2014 If she vetoes the bill, will there be a gathering in Phoenix of site visitors? I'd love to spend some time with Khoury and Emoboi, if he's still around. The Clarendon looks wonderful. TownsendPLocke 1 Quote
Members TownsendPLocke Posted February 25, 2014 Author Members Posted February 25, 2014 On the other hand,,,, I for one would LOVE to have a clear sign posted in the front window of any business that did not want my gay dollars or found my "lifestyle" contrary to their belief system. I tend to avoid businesses that have Jesus Fishies or other obvious xtian/fundie symbols. And if I hear that a business has problems with my "lifestyle" then I avoid them if possible. Having a clear statement such as a sign in the window would actually be helpful IMO Quote
Members TownsendPLocke Posted February 25, 2014 Author Members Posted February 25, 2014 If she vetoes the bill, will there be a gathering in Phoenix of site visitors? I'd love to spend some time with Khoury and Emoboi, if he's still around. The Clarendon looks wonderful. We did this once before- and we have been trying to do it for a few years since the event Quote
Guest lurkerspeaks Posted February 25, 2014 Posted February 25, 2014 I have tried on numerous occasions to host a get together here in Phoenix during our Pride weekend. It has always met with lukewarm responses, although those who have attended have all claimed to have had a great time. We have numerous popular, well reviewed escorts here (emoboi, Khori, Rhory Savage, Luke Marcum, Jason Carter). We also have a totally nude strip club (Dick's Cabaret), but don't expect much in the way of interactive lap dances at Dick's. Most of our gay bars/clubs feature gogo boys on various nights, and some of them do have private/semi-private areas for lapdances, where a little play can occur with the right boy and the right encouragement. Quote
Members TownsendPLocke Posted February 25, 2014 Author Members Posted February 25, 2014 Here is the post announcing last years event. http://www.boytoy.com/forums/index.php?/topic/12603-any-interest-in-a-lurkers-phoenix-pride-weekend/?hl=phoenix Hopefully this all gets resolved (meaning shut down by a gubernatorial veto) soon so that we can plan something with the group. I wonder if the Gay webmaster thingie (which is stupidly planned for the weekend after pride this year) will bail on Phoenix if this stupidity stands? Quote
Members lookin Posted February 26, 2014 Members Posted February 26, 2014 I for one would LOVE to have a clear sign posted in the front window of any business that did not want my gay dollars or found my "lifestyle" contrary to their belief system. Perhaps as helpful are the businesses who are proudly displaying this sign in their windows. Quote
Members boiworship Posted February 26, 2014 Members Posted February 26, 2014 Jan will veto this. The money interests are against it. Amazing that our issues are now embraced by Corporate America! Quote
Members TownsendPLocke Posted February 27, 2014 Author Members Posted February 27, 2014 Well this is no longer a problem- See you soon LurkerSpeaks http://www.cnn.com/2014/02/26/politics/arizona-brewer-bill/ Quote
