|
So Let's Talk
I wonder how many people feel or believe that it is important to speak your mind? I'm not just speaking of every day conversations with friends or family. I'm talking about saying something to perhaps a perfect stranger when you know that something that they are doing just isn't right.
Perhaps not everyone will agree with me but I think it is important that when we’re speaking about the LGBT movement that we balance the topics that we highlight in our websites, our social media etc. I feel we should talk about the progress that we've made and balances that information with the challenges we yet have to endure. An example I use often is the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell. It certainly was a victory and I myself see it is such. While at the same time I think it's important to realize that though we may be able to express publicly that we love someone of the same gender without the fear of being kicked out, federal employees aka the military, are not by any LGBT anti-discrimination laws. I often talk about this as the way we fight inequality… The LGBT community often takes two steps forward and then one step backwards.
A great example of moving forward a little bit of the time is a project that the Colorado Springs pride center started in January 2011. We call it Community Spotlight. A project where we are calling every single business in the Colorado Springs area and asking them three basic questions:
Does your business have a policy that says you will NOT discriminate based on sexual orientation and gender identity?
Do you feel that you and your staff are comfortable serving gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender individuals?
Would you like more LGBT folks to utilize your business?
It's a slow process but an important one. We hear so many times that “how do you live in Colorado Springs as conservative as it is” or “I didn't know there were gay people in Colorado Springs with all of the anti-gay groups in town”. And we wanted to find out for ourselves just tell anti-gay businesses were in town. It's going to be an ongoing project but eventually we will call every business in our area and when we complete it will start over and do it again.
Just brings me to my point of balancing the good and perhaps the not so good. One of the businesses that we called was the Marigold Cafe & Bakery at 4605 Centennial Blvd. Colorado Springs, CO 80919. When we called them the individual that answered the phone wouldn't answer the questions and simply hung up on this. So as we do with all of the information we gather from calling we posted it online.
And here are some of the comments:
- Eileen ”:(“
- Alan “Well even though they are about two miles from where I live, and I have been there often, I will NEVER darken the doorway with my GAY body again!”
- Diane “Wow . . . this ally hasn't been there, and will now make it a point not to bother”
- Eileen “Im with Diane”
- Conrad “I have a gay friend that works there and he enjoys it. I have never personally been there but I hope he's not working for some ignorant employer.”
- Dee Anna “I've been there and it's a great place. I wonder if they thought you were a prank caller. Did you ask them if you could interview them? The outcome might have been different.”
- Michael “Wow, I love the food at this place, but I won't eat there again!”
- Colorado Springs Pride Center “That is a great question Dee Anna Percell. we say the same thing every time we call hello my name is and I'm calling from the Colorado Springs pride center. May I speak with the manager. Then we say again that were calling from the Colorado Springs pride center and would like to take 2 min. of your time and ask you three questions. Hope that helps”
- Dee Anna “Wow! My friend is a waiter there and was SHOCKED at how they responded because they have plenty of gay/lesbian workers. That is not good news for them.”
So now that you were able to experience perhaps some of the not so good, let's take a look at some of the good!
- Elaine Chavanon “As the owner of Marigold Café & Bakery, I would like to apologize to the Gay and Lesbian Community for this "lack of communication" and gross misunderstanding. While I do not know the exact circumstances of what sounds like an unpleasant telephone call, please rest assured that the person who answered your call in no way represents the values of Marigold Café & Bakery. We are honored to have members of the GLBT community among the Marigold family, and we do not discriminate against anyone regardless of race, color, creed, sex or sexual orientation. I am actively investigating this incident, and in the meantime, I encourage you to call me at 719-599-4776 so that I may clarify our position.”
- Colorado Springs Pride Center “Hello Elaine, I think it's safe to say that the LGBT community in Colorado Springs would be happy that you have chosen to support equality. Your statement “We are honored to have members of the GLBT community among the Marigold family, and we do not discriminate against anyone regardless of race, color, creed, sex or sexual orientation” shows us and the community that you care. It’s has been said that the change you want to see in the world begins with you. Thank you for your continued support.
So I ask you again, I wonder just how many people think it is important to speak your mind? I think in this situation it was pretty important. |
