Prop8 Boycott List- Page 3

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 3:27pm

I would spread the word among your friends and passionate colleagues about this quickly... be VERY careful not to start "crying wolf" everywhere or nobody you "out" will be taken seriously.

I can't believe lists are circulating like this with unsubstantiated claims as well as misinformation about donators.

If some employee from Disney donated to YES on 8, it's his donation, not Disney's. That should be very easy to understand. I would only consider boycotting the company if he were running it, or serving as a "front man" for Disney. (CEO, President, Chairman, Director, etc.) Otherwise, no. It's an individual's donation. Some guy who works there.

If we start to get all "alarmist" and point to everyone who ever worked for any company who gave to Yes on 8, the whole thing is going to start to look ridiculous.

So ... who donated from El Coyote, Taco Bell, etc.?

The owner of the business? The business itself?

If it's anybody else, I'm not boycotting.

And I'm not boycotting any business merely because a Mormon works there. If it's a Mormon-owned and operated business, then yes. But even if the CEO is a Mormon, unless he or the business itself donated directly to this cause, I won't be boycotting merely based on his faith.

I'm not interested in a witch hunt. Nor am I interested in being one of the "boys who cried wolf" either.

At least that's my opinion.

... but I'm sick of opinions (see "the opinion thread").

Updated On: 11/13/08 at 03:27 PM

[tazber]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 3:33pm

That thread was too radical besty, it was deemed harmful to the masses and was subsequently erased.

[KrissySim]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 3:37pm

I agree with best12bars . It's important that you are directed in your boycott and if you haven't done thorough research, forget it.

I for one would like to know about the money trail from the Twilight franchise. How much of Stephenie Meyer's money goes to the Mormon church, and where does she stand on this issue? But there's nothing you (or I) can do about it if you don't have the info.

And I'm the one who "cries wolf" around here, anyway. And it's for a good reason.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 3:41pm

Here's my own personal checklist:

BOYCOTT:

- any business or nonprofit organization (including religious organizations) that gave directly to Yes on 8 (a corporate or business donation)

- any "frontman" of a business or nonprofit organization that gave directly to Yes on 8 (a CEO, President, Chairman, Director, etc.)

- any identified film, theatre or TV "star" - Their shows or films, in other words (yeah, good luck, but I plan on doing it)

- any Mormon-owned, operated or funded business.

- anything to do with the Mormon church as an organization (from their TV shows, their music, and yes, even their magic undies)

DON'T BOYCOTT:

- any business or nonprofit organization that has an identified employee or member who made a personal donation to Yes on 8. That's a personal donation, not a business donation.

- any person of the Mormon or Catholic faith, strictly on the basis of religion alone. Even if they are in a position of high authority at the business. If the business itself is Mormon-based, then yes. If the CEO or president is Mormon, then no. Unless he/she donated directly to the Yes on 8 initiative (see my rule above for that).

There, I feel better.

[Anakela]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 3:42pm

JetBlue has a ranking of 'green' from the Human Rights Campaign

(GREEN (80-100): Businesses/brands with one of our higher scores. Consumers should make every effort to support these companies.)

http://www.hrc.org/buyersguide/hrc_buyersguide-11_29.pdf

and if you read that "Boycott CA because of Prop 8" site on Facebook (http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=31962409503#/wall.php?id=31962409503) there's a post from someone who emailed jetBlue about asking about this-

a response from Jet Blue:

Thank you for reaching out to us about California Prop 8. I’m happy to take the opportunity to dispel the rumor and confirm that JetBlue was in no way involved in the Prop 8 campaign. That said, I do not presume to speak for any individual within the ranks of our over 11,000 crewmember population who may have contributed to this campaign as an individual. But again, JetBlue Airways Corporation was not involved in Prop 8.

Best,

Sebastian

Sebastian White
Spokesman, JetBlue Airways
www.jetblue.com

(Sebastian White IS a spokesman for JetBlue, I make no claims as to the validity of this email.)

I wouldn't put JetBlue on my boycott list.

best12bars- a niece of the owner of El Coyote was the donor affiliated with that restaurant, according to Eater L.A.-
Prop 8 Trickle Down Effect

[KrissySim]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 3:43pm

That's a good approach besty.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 3:49pm

A NIECE of the owner of El Coyote gave a hundred bucks??

Okay, no. If that's the extent of this ban on El Coyote Restaurant then I feel embarrassed for the people launching this boycott campaign.

It's actually a very "loud" campaign against them, too. But we need a little logic here.

That makes me sad and disturbed. In fact, I may go eat there tonight. We don't need to be hurting business in this horrible economy based on sweeping misinformation and alarmist rumors.

Now, if the owner contributed? Different story.

But his NEICE? Come on!

[Anakela]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 3:50pm

- any "frontman" of a business or nonprofit organization that gave directly to Yes on 8 (a CEO, President, Chairman, Director, etc.)

This is a good list for that for the restaurants- Presidents and CFOs who donated to Yes on 8:
Prop 8 and Where You Eat in Los Angeles: Where is the Boycott Line Drawn?

Posted: 11/13/08 at 3:50pm

Is it true the creator of the Snuggie supported Prop 8? Do we need to burn the Snuggies we already have or can we just not buy any new Snuggies?

[Calvin]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 3:52pm

re: Cisco

One of their EVP's as well as another former executive and the former CEO all attached their names to a Silicon Valley group urging people to OPPOSE Prop 8.

It's also one of the perfect score businesses with the HRC index.

Why is Cisco on the list as a "big time contibutor"?

Eta -- Also note that both Intel and Amex are founding sponsors of the National Lesbian and Gay Chamber of Commerce. Not trying to sound like a corporate shill here, but I think it's encouraging that companies with anti-gay policies, at least large companies, seem to be the exception more than the rule. They can't help it if they employ a few creeps.
Link Updated On: 11/13/08 at 03:52 PM

[Anakela]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 4:02pm

addition re: El Coyote- apparently the niece *is* also employed as a manager of the restaurant...
El Coyote: An LA Restaurant Gets Negative Attention Because of Prop 8

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 4:09pm

Anakela--that's a good list, in fact I'll put it that section of it here:


So, what well known restaurants are caught up in this hot mess? Let's take a look at what the e-mail points to...

C&L Restaurant Group - Largest franchisee of Burger King locations in So Cal; Richard Cross, restaurant operator, donated $4,000 to the campaign. Donation verified on LA Times.

T-Bird Restaurant Group - Exclusive rights to franchise Outback Steakhouse in California. CFO Mikkel Christensen donated $2,000. Donation verified on LA Times.

WKS Restaurant Corporation, company with franchise rights for El Pollo Loco. Roland Spongberg, President, donated $6,000 to Yes on 8. Donation verified on LA Times.

Yard House - Restaurant Partner ("Owner"), Executive Chef Carlito Jocson donated $100. Donation verified on LA Times.

Real Mex Restaurants - Steven Tanner, CFO, donated $500.00 Restaurants under their belt include all: El Torito, Chevy's and Acapulco, as well as smaller concepts Las Brisas, Casa Gallardo, Who Song & Larry's, and El Paso Cantina. Donation verified on LA Times.

DEFINITELY BOYCOTT:

I would want to know exactly which Burger King that restaurant operator "operates" and I would boycott it. Not all Burger Kings. It wasn't a corporate donation.

All El Pollo Loco restaurants -- their president donated $6K!

Yard House

MAYBE BOYCOTT:

All Outback Steakhouses -- although it was the CFO that donated. Not a CEO, President, Director or Chairman... but a CFO is still very high up there, even if he's not a "frontman." I would certainly consider it, at least.

El Torito, Chevy's and Acapulco -- again, the franchise owner's CFO donated 500 bucks. Not a "frontman" for the company, but still high enough up there in the ranks to merit a consideration.


Oy! So many Mexican restaurants here. Good ones, too. Looks like one of the only places I CAN eat Mexican food and feel good about it is El Coyote.

[Roscoe]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 4:11pm

Jetblue is fine.

If I lived in LA, I'd be boycotting the El Coyote. Period. They employ anti-gay bigots. They cannot get gay business. It is as simple as that.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 4:12pm

Anakela---a niece who is a manager? ... not quite good enough for me. It's not her business. She works there.

But, as with the CFOs I listed above, it's still pretty high up there. If her uncle donated? Different story.

I would consider a boycott there, but I also understand if anyone chose not to honor it.


EDIT: "If I lived in LA, I'd be boycotting the El Coyote. Period. They employ anti-gay bigots. They cannot get gay business. It is as simple as that."

Roscoe--do tell. What do you know about them employing anti-gay bigots? Besides that stupid niece. If it's a general practice to hire "same minded" folks, then I'm outa there.

Updated On: 11/13/08 at 04:12 PM

[Calvin]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 4:15pm

Has anyone listed the restaurants whose owners donated to the anti-8 campaign?

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 4:22pm

I also have to wonder why they're targeting El Coyote so vehemently here. It's a mom-and-pop place with a wayward niece (unless Roscoe knows more than that).

But El Pollo Loco is HUGE chain! And lots of gay folk go there. Why haven't we heard more about a ban of all the El Pollo Locos? The president of their franchise company donated $6,000! Seems to me the heat has been turned on a single small business, when it should be focused on a big, popular chain of fast food restaurants here in Southern California.

Updated On: 11/13/08 at 04:22 PM

[Anakela]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 5:31pm

Anakela---a niece who is a manager? ... not quite good enough for me. It's not her business. She works there.

fwiw a couple of sites are calling her 'owner' or 'part owner,' (the LA Times says she's an 'owner'- also at the link below), but most are saying she's a manager...


Another CEO: Alan Stock, CEO of the Cinemark movie chain (which is where most of the Sundance Film Festival is screened), $9,999 donation to Yes on 8.
(question: what's with the 9999, what happens when the donation is $10,000? Just seems like a strange figure)
Prop. 8 boycott talk spreads to movies and more

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 5:43pm

If the niece is a part owner, then I'll gladly boycott. But I would like it verified. Especially since there is a discrepancy about it now. That L.A. Times article said "one of the owners," and left it at that. I want them to verify that the niece is the one they're talking about, and she's a part-owner of the restaurant. Their description was too vague to offer as "proof."

And yes, I would also boycott the Cinemark movie chain, including the Sundance Film Festival if the festival still chooses to screen there.

EDIT: I wonder how many people would follow through with a boycott of Sundance if they don't change the screening houses? It would sure get a lot of attention.

Updated On: 11/13/08 at 05:43 PM

[dalefully]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 6:13pm

Personally, I wouldn't hesitate to put any Twilight products on the list...

[Bryant at Dell]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 9:18pm

Hi - please note that Dell Inc. did not take a position on Proposition 8 and is not "Mormon owned". We have a strong diversity record and have had a perfect score on HRC's Corporate Equality Index for five years in a row. Please remove Dell from your list of companies.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 9:40pm

Hi, Bryant at Dell. Thanks for the info and welcome to BWW.

Who are you?

Anyway, it's not "our list" with Dell on it... it's a list that jaystarr posted directly from Facebook, along with a link. In his post he says it's not clear why these businesses are on their boycott list.

But if you're compelled to sign up for BWW today and say "remove us from your list," I feel compelled to tell you to sign up for Facebook and follow that link.

Maybe you can find out why Dell was listed and work to correct the problem.

Updated On: 11/13/08 at 09:40 PM

[Q]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 9:52pm

I don't like the way this is being approached or handled.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 9:58pm

BOYCOTTS DON'T WORK. NOT WITH A SMALL GROUP OF PEOPLE AND FIFTEEN THOUSAND COMPANIES WE'RE SUPPOSED TO BOYCOTT.

[best12bars]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 10:03pm

Oh, come on.

Talk about a day without gays.

Let's just not buy anything and disappear.

Actually, even though we're a minority, we're also in a recession. We may not be able to close a business down, but we can cause a nice dent in their already sagging profits. And that scares them plenty.

But I agree with Q.

We're handling this like an angry mob, without really understanding what we're doing or saying.

(Yes, I'm using the collective "we" in an attempt to unify us to some degree, if that's even possible...)

As I've said a few times, I don't plan on boycotting any business unless there is ample evidence. Showing up on some Facebook list? Not remotely good enough.

And a little scary, actually.

[Phyllis Rogers Stone]

Posted: 11/13/08 at 10:08pm

I'm not saying you shouldn't let your conscience guide you, as we all have our moral lines to draw with our purchasing power, I just don't know what people are hoping to achieve.