Reply #52: I don't think the "backlash" is the LEAST bit disturbing. In fact,

[Lyric]

it sets my heart on fire with happiness to see it.

You said, "I think the people that voted yes will eventually come around, but not if stuff like this is going on."

I think that's bullshit. You're trying to intimidate gay people and their allies by implying "consequences" if we dare to speak up and confront the bigots by hitting them where it hurts--their wallets. To hell with that noise. The worst has ALREADY happened--didn't you notice? Marriage is already gone. The time for politeness is over.

Bigots do not have a right to our gay and allied dollars--especially when they turn around and spend those dollars to take away our rights. It is outrageous and unfair to expect us to be politely silent while our friends and family members UNKNOWINGLY contribute to businesses that helped take our rights away. We have the ability to help educate and inform people about businesses that oppose gay rights; why on earth would any rational person think that we shouldn't make use of it?

People have the right to KNOW how their money is being spent--and that goes for business as well as government. We have the ability and the duty to identify bigoted haters so that innocent, GLBT-supporting people do not accidentally spend money at a store owned by someone who opposes GLBT rights. That is the ENTIRE POINT of a boycott.

Bigots also do not have a right to hate in privacy if they choose to donate money to a public campaign. These people, these business owners--THEY made that choice. And they can live with the consequences now.

I'm sick of people Tsk-Tsk'ing at us about this. If a Mom & Pop business down the street donated money to an initiative to get rid of interracial marriage, nobody here would have a problem with a boycott. It's sickening that because it's "just the gays," we're suddenly supposed to be polite and civil.

God this pisses me off. If you want to be polite and civil, go right ahead. But leave the rest of us who actually HAVE a spine alone.