Comments on: A good reason not to drink at the Hyatt in San Diego this year

By: Theron

Theron — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 23:50:35 +0000

“They have repeatedly to try to label homosexuality as a disease, and have even tried to force us into prison just for being gay. (happened in Texas).

The sodomy (defined as any sexual act not meant for procreation) was illegal for us, yet was legal for anyone else. Supreme Court thankfully turned that down because in Texas two gay men were arrested for having sex in the privacy of their own home.

Plenty of gays are fired every day just for being gay, legally. And 2-3 homosexuals are killed every month just for being who they are.

So for your arguments, he has the right to be bigot. But only towards gay people right?”

Except that this one guy didn’t do any of the above things. This one guy donated money to a group exercising their right to lobby in support of a ballot initiative. And unless there is a quote that someone has, no one knows his reasoning. So organize a boycott, make people aware, but dispense with the histrionics.

By: sammy

sammy — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:34:06 +0000

They have repeatedly to try to label homosexuality as a disease, and have even tried to force us into prison just for being gay. (happened in Texas).

Plenty of gays are fired every day just for being gay, legally. And 2-3 homosexuals are killed every month just for being who they are.

So for your arguments, he has the right to be bigot. But only towards gay people right?

By: sammy

sammy — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 18:33:51 +0000

Actually there is plenty of a “cogent” argument. It is about civil rights.

Gays CAN be fired for being gay, legally. GW vetoed the ENDA which would have created protections for that.

And we cannot visit our partners in the hospital, our wills are constantly contested by the families of our significant others, we can’t get married, we can’t file joint taxes or get family exemptions that any crack head with two babies and marriage license gets.

Racism and Homophobia are one in the same. Gay people do not choose to be gay, it just is.

By: Kevin H.

Kevin H. — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 03:06:49 +0000

Going to a slavery comparison (when it is nothing similar) is kinda like going to a Hitler comparison, isn’t it? All that shock and awe for a lack of a cogent argument.

He has the right to be a bigot. We all have the right to not support him with our money. Giving to the cause he opposes is probably even better than that and avoids hurting the employees caught in the middle.

Why not see if you can get the opposition group to do some impromptu fundraising at the hotel? If you have a room, offer it up for them to set up to accept donations, since soliciting throughout the hotel will surely be frowned upon.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 02:48:16 +0000

Stephen, did I say fired? Where did I say fired? I doubt he’s even in a position were he could be fired, owning the hotel and all (as I understand it).
I’m saying that since the owner of one of Hyatt’s hotel has made a very public monetary endorsement of a proposition designed to curtail a group of people’s rights, I think I’d like to know what Hyatt itself thinks of the matter. If they’re fine with it, fine. I just won’t do business with them. If they say gays should be treated like, well, human beings then I’ll just avoid doing business with the San Diego Hyatt.
Nowhere did I say the guy should be fired. I’m saying I don’t want to do business with bigots. Not sure how you’re going to spin that last sentence but I’m sure you’ll think of something.

By: Evan Waters

Evan Waters — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 01:10:29 +0000

By that logic it would be discriminatory to fire someone for being a racist.

Being gay and being anti-gay are not two equally valid political views. One is being born a certain way, one is deciding to oppress those who were born a certain way.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 00:11:10 +0000

To Eddie:

If could be fired for his support of keeping marriage between a man and a woman, then it would be equally “legal” and “right” for another person to be fired for being gay.

Fortunately, under today’s law, either case would be ridiculously discriminatory and unlawful.

By: Dave

Dave — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 23:01:05 +0000

“I hope that his business isn’t hurt by idiots who want to silence any and all opposing viewpoints except for their own.”

This guy gave $125,000 to silence a viewpoint he doesn’t agree with. If people don’t want to support his bigotry, good for them.

By: J

Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:34:20 +0000

Good for the Hyatt. I hope that his business isn’t hurt by idiots who want to silence any and all opposing viewpoints except for their own.

By: Eddie

Eddie — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 22:18:58 +0000

If I take up drinking between now and the con I won’t be doing it there. And, honestly, if Hyatt’s higher ups don’t disown this guy’s action I won’t be staying at any Hyatts from now on.

Not a threat or anything. Just saying if Hyatt supports this guy then they are clearly a company that doesn’t want my business.

By: Ken B.

Ken B. — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 21:50:02 +0000

I like how Butcher’s comment follows along the lines of “only stick to you convictions when it’s convenient for you.” Always nice to see true devotion to a cause.

By: Sammy

Sammy — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:50:45 +0000

# Stephen Says:
July 16th, 2008 at 2:42 pm

It stands to reason to assume that the passing of ruling in favor of gay marriage “gets under his skin” as well as the skin of many others. In fact, according to the latest field post it was passed by a California court despite the majority of California residents being AGAINST it (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/ryan-j-davis/the-great-california-gay_b_96802.html).

He’s sticking up for his beliefs by supporting the Proposition.

Last time I checked bigotry was unacceptable in this country.

So if he supported a slavery Amendment, and plenty of people in the state were FOR slavery, that would make it ok with you?

I mean he’s just sticking up for his “beliefs,” right?

By: Evan Waters

Evan Waters — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 19:02:20 +0000

And he’s really just trying to hurt gay people solely because of his beliefs. Fair enough, I say.

By: The Ugly American

The Ugly American — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:45:28 +0000

I totally just canceled “my room”.

I hope John Byrne has somewhere to sleep.

By: Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:42:18 +0000

He’s sticking up for his beliefs by supporting the Proposition. You’re sticking up for your beliefs by encouraging a boycott on this guy’s business. Except, you’re really just trying to hurt this guy (solely because of his beliefs) instead of trying to support your cause.

By: JK Parkin

JK Parkin — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:14:00 +0000

Here’s a link to Equality California:

http://www.eqca.org/

By: Stephen

Stephen — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 18:06:01 +0000

Well, a more effective thing to do if you feel strongly enough about the issue would be donate to the pro-gay marriage organization Equality California which is attempting to defeat Proposition 8.

A boycott of the hotel or writing a mean comment on a card wouldn’t have much effect, even though it might make you feel self-righteous and/or salve your guilty conscience.

By: Dane

Dane — Wed, 16 Jul 2008 17:20:55 +0000

Nice idea, hopefully it will hit the bigot in the pocketbook, where he might actually feel it.