Been pondering this Indiana situation.
It's true that the law doesn't encourage discrimination, but it sure doesn't stop it from happening.
Yesterday, Senator Ted Cruz of Texas, a Republican presidential candidate,
said in a Senate floor speech that [Indiana Governor] Pence was "giving voice to millions
of courageous conservatives across this country who are deeply concerned
about the ongoing attacks upon our personal liberties."
See, that's the kind of language that worries me.
Their personal liberties?!
Hey, if you wanna be a pro-choice, anti-gay feminist-hating individual, in the name of your religion, go right ahead. No one is stopping you from booking a hotel room, eating in any dining establishment you so desire, etc.
Just don't block MY right to do so!
See, here's the thing: I grew up in the service industry. My parents had a small business, a restaurant. My dad had only a few simple rules: 1. Serve hot foods hot; 2. Serve cold foods cold; and . . .
3. The customer is always right!
Always! [Even when they were wrong and we knew they were wrong!]
It's business, people! It's America, home of the free!
Everybody should be welcome to dine, to imbibe, to lodge, to work, to play, to vacay. Wherever they so desire.
Boy, does this hark back to the days when "the Negros" couldn't sit at the counter; or ride the bus; or . . .
Well, it's been a long time since I blogged, but sometimes Facebook and Twitter just don't give me enough space to spread my creative wings and thoughts.
Yes, I have thoughts [even "between jobs," I do exercise my brain daily]!
And what better time to return to the blog then in the midst of a mayoral campaign here in Philly, March Madness, the Pope and DNC soon to visit, and . . .
. . . well, Indiana.
Need I say more?
[Okay, if you don't know: they just passed a "religious liberty" law which could enable businesses to discriminate against "homosexuals"]
As a lesbian, I would not be welcome there. As a mother, I can't accept discrimination against anyone. As an activist, wow, so many things could be said.
And as a sports fan, I recognize that the Final Four is soon to be held in Indianapolis! What does this mean for all of us LGBTQ sports fans? Members of the media (Jason Collins, Kate Fagan)? Coaches? Players?
Mascots?! [Sparty the Spartan!? Recently named "gayest mascot of the NCAA tourney" by Outsports]
Good lord, just imagine if the women's Final Four was there this year, who would be left to play? watch? care? [If not the LGBTQ community?]
As a longtime activist, I believe in boycotts. Hey, it worked in Arizona when the NFL pulled the 1993 Super Bowl from the state when they removed MLK Day as a holiday.
Looks like Salesforce Inc. has already pulled their trainings out of Indiana. Good for them.
One now needs to ask: WWCD? [What Will Chipotle Do?]
