Echelon Magazine, a news source for the LGBT business community, is among several LGBT businesses who have committed to close their offices Friday, Oct. 8 as part of the national Boycott For Equality to protest marriage and employment discrimination.
With still a month to go before the walkout, more than 650,000 visitors have come to the Web site, and almost 5,000 people have taken an active role by pledging to support the effort by providing money and contacts. The success is a result of endorsements from lesbian and gay groups across the country and a grassroots desire to do something to raise awareness about freedom and equality.
'It's fantastic to see the community uniting behind this event,' said Boycott for Equality Co-Founder Dale Duncan. 'It's about time we put aside our self-fulfilling cynicism and do something to show our strength and express our freedom.'
Boycott For Equality is an Atlanta-based non-profit formed to promote the boycott. For Oct. 8, GLBT Americans and their straight allies are encouraged to withdraw from the economy in three specific areas:
— Do not purchase anything. Do not generate sales tax or business revenue.
— Don't work. Take the day off—do not generate payroll taxes, income taxes or add to the economy.
— Do not use cell phones. Dropping out of the communication network is a way to measure the impact of your presence.
See www.boycottforequality.org