I agree with you.

That Nevada of all places should take this stance is incomprehensible. On the same note, I am befuddled by the lack of reaction — plus the lack of media coverage of the assault on gay rights in the last election. Though I understand some people's fears and their "defense of marriage", there has been little coverage of the other parts of the laws against gay marriage just passed in 11 states. I read that in 8 of those states, they've also outlawed civil unions and removed virtually all protections to gay partnerships — even things like being able to visit an ill partner in the hospital. One senator from North Carolina is trying to prohibit gays from teaching in schools. What the hell is going on and what do we do about it?

what's going on is that the right wing is taking over the country. what we do about it is essentially nothing — we hunker down and wait for this to fade back to a reasonable level [which, given that W w/b able to nominate a gazillion judges, c/b a lllloooooonnnng time].

All governments in all of human history have been hypocritical.

Why?

Because all people, including you and me, are hypocrites.

We [Nevadans? everyone?] are just more aware of other people's hypocrisy than our own.

Nevada is just continuing that "glorious" tradition.

If you wish to boycott us, so what? Millions of people come here every month.

Never underestimate the power of a tourist boycott. Years ago Arizona, a tourism powerhouse at the time, ruled against making Martin Luther King's birthday a holiday. Meeting and convention planners — black and white but heavily influenced by their memberships — boycotted Arizona as did tourists. People sympathetic/empathetic to black rights boycotted as well. Arizona suffered cancellations of already booked conventions as well as lost business from new groups, costing them over a billion dollars in lost revenue. Even a SUPERBOWL was cancelled, with an estimated $500 million in losses to the state.

Governor Mecham became horribly unpopular resulting in his IMPEACHMENT after only one year in office, after which Martin Luther King Day was approved as a holiday, and the boycott was ended.

Boycotts in tourism/meetings and conventions have rarely been done, which made the Arizona boycott especially effective. It made national and international news at the time — and scared the living shit out of the hotel and tourism community. If the gay community comes together, organizes a boycott, and gets the mainstream meeting, convention and tourism markets to boycott Nevada, there could be enormous pressure from hotels and attractions to change policy. The hard part is that Nevada is only one of 11 states to vote for discriminatory policies against gays. A boycott against multiple entities would be less effective. If they narrow their focus on Nevada, an alliance with other gaming entities, esp Indian owned casinos outside Nevada could have a major impact on Nevada and send a message to other states considering enacting discriminatory policies. I personally believe it should be done.

Neato keen. I'll start the ball rolling. First I will find out exactly what the Nevada law says and who passed it — legislature or referendum — then start promoting the idea in the gay media.

- posted by L. Craig Schoonmaker @ 4:02 PM