Gay people around the US want to literally call attention to the restrictions of their rights, and they've organized Day Without a Gay to do so. On Dec. 10, International Human Rights Day, gay workers are being encouraged to “call in gay” to work, and spend their time volunteering instead.
Since multiple states passed same-sex marriage bans last month, the push for gay rights awareness has picked up. A recent article in Newsweek made a sophisticated argument for gay marriage, using the Bible itself as supporting evidence. To see part of that argument, read more.
The Newsweek piece explains that neither scripture, nor Jesus, ever addressed the issue of same-sex marriage. Making a religious case for gay marriage, the article continues:
The practice of inclusion, even in defiance of social convention, the reaching out to outcasts, the emphasis on togetherness and community over and against chaos, depravity, indifference — all these biblical values argue for gay marriage.
Do you think creative advocacy, such as citing the Bible as support, taking the day off work, or the celebrity-filled Prop. 8 — The Musical, could have helped prevent the passing of Prop. 8?
J Brand
DAY Birger et Mikkelsen
Rick Owens
I'm sorry but calling in gay to work just seems absurd, why would you try jeopardise your job especially inthis economic climate
1nyaradzom2001, it's to prove a point, and for most people, equality is the most important thing. Plus, if a company fires you for calling out one day, then they don't really sound like a company I would want to work for.
2wow. I think its great that the gay community is doing this. I would do anything to get my point across!
Did you guys read that article?
Im am in love with the person who wrote that article in Newsweek. It's smart, breathtaking, and amazing!
Im sending it to everyone I know...
3well you don't have to call in "gay", per se. you can just call in, and participate in the activities. i like the idea of the american workforce seeing what things are like for a day without any gay people at work.
4The article is great - I can't wait to hear the reasons why the person who wrote it is wrong.
5me to steph! Im waiting.....
6I think this is a pretty great way to show people that--big surprise--gay people are a large (and important) part of communities all over the world, and I like the idea behind this campaign.
7I'm not sure it will work though, it will take a lot more to convince homophobes and bigots that they are wrong. The article is very good but you can bet that Christians will be up in arms over it.
8I don't see how boycotting work is going to help people understand the plight of the gay person. So "Bob" didn't come into work today. He can do his job tomorrow. I agree with Nya in that it's going to take more than this to convice the Christian community.
9While I can understand that this won't convince anyone- I think that constant messages like this are important. When people take a stand in a variety of ways- they are showing that this matters and it is not going to go away. Great newsweek article
10Well, UnDave, I live in Florida and A LOT of gay people work in the theme parks here, so technically they can't "catch" up on their work tomorrow. It is customer service based work. Florida is also one of the worst for equal rights to gay people, so it would be pretty effective if they all called in, much of the hospitality industry here would be SOL for the day.
11I think it's more of a symbolic gesture that people are going for here--yeah, maybe Bob didn't come into work today, but maybe you had to rely on Bob for something (an oil change, a dental appointment, a haircut, a training session, whatever), and therefore your schedule had to be switched around and perhaps inconvenienced because of his absence at work. It's to make people think, and maybe change their minds, but it's some type of effort, and I think it's a good place to start.
12I think part of the point is to show how many gay people there actually are. I know there's a big call in planned in Chicago.
13I think in the least it helps turn "gay people" from being a object in a theory in some people's head, to a reality. There are gay people everywhere living the same kinds of lives with equal importance. If nothing else hopefully that message will hit home. The ironic part is I don't work Wednesday this week
, when I normally do.
14Good point hmcmcd, but since they are in the service industry, don't you think this will happen once, and then they get replaced? If I was someone like WDW that relied heavily on someone, and they decided this was more important than their job, then I'd give them all the time they needed to focus on this issue, but don't expect to work for me when you're done.
15Good point, Jessie.
16I don't think people are thinking this is really more "important" than their jobs. Just my opinion, but I don't think it's really all that complicated. I've called in to do certain things, or when I'm sick--doesn't mean I'm disregarding the importance of my job.
17UnDave, that assumes that the worker is that easy to replace. The cost of training even a menial worker is often far more than the cost of one day's lost work from a worker...and if we're talking about a professional, that's something else entirely.
I am sad that I'm only hearing about this now, though. I'm on a number of NoOnProp8 lists, from donations made and such during the election season, so you'd think I would have heard about it. If I'd had enough notice, I would have planned to be out on the 10th. If they didn't get word out, the point will be lost, because it won't be noticeable. I think the Day Without An Immigrant strike was planned 2-3 months in advance.
18Maybe, but if we're talking about something that could very well become habitual, then it would be more than just one day.
19Why would it become habitual? Until something like 'Call in Redhead!' or 'Call in dog-owner!' becomes popular, then I don't really see this sliding towards the realm of 'habitual'. Or am I missing something?
20Say whomever calls in on the 10th, and then calls in for the next one, when this doesn't get the attention it deserves. Being as it was planned so quickly, I expect it won't be the big thing everyone is hoping for. Which will necesitate the need for another "demonstration".
21I am not sure how WDW would respond, b/c they actually make it a point to offer equal benefits to gays and lesbians. I believe they even offer "partner" health insurance and benefits for those who are in committed relationships. For all I know WDW may have already told all of their gay/lesbian employees to take the day off. (but I doubt it)
But for others it will be impossible for them to take the day off. My brother is a teacher at a catholic prep school. He could really risk his job if he didn't come in. And I know he would NEVER risk his job.
22Gotcha. I'm pretty sure that this tactic won't really become an everyday thing, though, so even though it might not get the desired result, I highly doubt that it will become something habitual. I think it's a creative way to do things, and I hope it gets a good show of support.
23Brilliant!
24Dave, don't give up your day job to become a protest leader - it would be silly to schedule a second sick out day quickly if your first fell flat.
25But in the case of a gay day, I don't really think that would happen.
"If I was someone like WDW that relied heavily on someone, and they decided this was more important than their job, then I'd give them all the time they needed to focus on this issue, but don't expect to work for me when you're done."
Wow you make the fight for equality in legal marriage rights (and anti discriminatory laws) sound like a trip to Disneyland or a day shopping at Saks.
26Also I don't think most people are going to say why they taking a day off, they're just going to take a sick day off. If someone is in their limit of sick days and follows policy then you would have to give other reason for firing them.
I liked the Newsweek article a lot, some great points were made. As for the protest, its up to the individual to make the choice to take the day off sick and participate. If they feel their employer would judge them harshly they don't do it, if the employer is tolerant then they will probably support them especially during this slow time before the holidays. I commend anyone that takes a stand for what they believe in.
27This is just as stupid as the day in May when all the illegal immigrants don't go to work.
28
29stupid for YOU.
30You're not fighting for something you believe in. If you were maybe you'd do something (anything) for it.
31
As far a practical purposes, I don't think it is that effective...I mean no one is gonna miss you that much for a day, maybe some exceptions, but for the most part no one will care too much.
...as a STATEMENT - it is a strong one, it lets people know there is anger about the level of rights and that gay people are members of your everyday society and want those same rights you have.
32'This is just as stupid as the day in May when all the illegal immigrants don't go to work.'
Then I'm sure you would also agree this is just as stupid as the March for Life in D.C. every January. Same thing, and I think its great that people who really believe in something protest in a non-violent way.
33I think this is a great idea. Persistance is key to overcoming any challenge. I support any non-violent act that helps get the message across.
34Well, some people believe being gay is a sickness. So from their perspective, gays can call in any day! "Sorry, can't come in today. Still gay!"
35
TS!
36I think protesting is different from these sick outs. I don't think that the immigrant one did anything for them, and I don't think this is going to do much for the gay community, but hey, what the heck. I live in an immigrant heavy area in California. When they planned their "day without an immigrant" most of the business that hire them just shut down for the day. They all took a holiday, so it wasn't effective.
37Secondly, the immigrant situation is different. The reason they had their day was because people want them to leave. I don't think many people want gays to leave (except in some very religious towns aforementioned on citizen) so, to me it is different.
Third- If I had a hair appointment, dental appointment etc on the 10th and they canceled on me, I would not go to them anymore. I just personally hate when people reschedule me last minute, but then will charge me if I have to do the same. So they may want to think about that before going through with this.
And for the record, I used to work for Cigna and Walt Disney has the great coverage for the GLBT community. They do offer same sex coverage but also cover transgender sex operations and treatments.
...CALL IN Unemployed
38I would say if the businesses actually had to shut down for a day, they were effective. Even though it sounds good that everyone got to take a holiday, but that's a day they were closed and not making money.
39TS the employers saved money by shutting down for the day, lessening their effects. Therefore leaving the work for those that took the day off until the next day. Most of the employers that did this, did so because they sympathized with the immigrants more than anything.
40ha ha i think that it is a statement that they were able to make it a holiday, obviously they make enough revenue to close the entire day, so they must be doing something right
41Haha True Song, I was wondering about that. I think it's usually a bad idea to equate being gay with being sick.
Also, I would be careful with calling in sick while not actually being ill. I doubt employers would take being mislead kindly.
42Yes, they saved some money by shutting down for one day, but they also lost some money by being closed one day.
If the movement was successful enough to actually get businesses to completely shut down for one day, I would call it effective.
43Why is it so hard for people to see that they are STANDING UP for they believe in. Whether it will be effective or not they are doing whatever they can to show people that they aren't backing down!
44*standing up for what they believe in.
dont you just love the "edit" button??
45I think people are commenting on it, as that is the question in the post.
46I think it is great to see people stand up for what they believe in, but if we can discuss ways that it could be effective and help achieve their goal, that is great as well.
this is a great idea and its already received attention (at least on here). so along with may day, I'd say both have been/will be effective.
47Oh Lord are you F'ing kidding me? Until other homosexuals start paying my bills I'm going to work honey.
48I really dont think any employer will give a rip about it, as long as the person has the time.
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