I did notice that very very few people used this image at the Los Angeles march.

A business owner can’t exactly run a public business in a private fashion. Public businesses which serve the public are, well, public — open to public scrutiny, acclaim and criticism. Especially when they engage in the public act of participating in a public political campaign.

And so are you saying that I have no legal right to express my freedom of speech in encouraging others to participate in a boycott?

Are all boycotts wrong? Are public demonstrations wrong? Is this not one of those peaceful assemblies protected by the constitution.

The other example, on the other hand, is that of a private employee who merely had a conversation with a co-worker — the same sort of conversations which take place around water coolers all across America. This is not even close to being in the same category. This employee was in no way the public face of of the company. In fact, her identity remains publicly unknown still.

Meanwhile, you’re also demanding that this individual be fired, which would seem at odds with your complaint yesterday that firing people because of the way they voted or to whom they donated is wrong.

Well, now that’s a rather convenient argument. Are you really suggesting that calling for a boycott is immoral?

If so, then I’ve got a bone to pick with you over several so-called “right-to-life” and anti-gay organizations doing precisely the same thing.

I don’t think we need to listen to lectures from those who engage in the very same actions they condemn.

The fact is that everyone has the capacity and the right to decide for themselves where they want to spend their money. And everyone has a right to making an informed decision about the businesses they support. There’s nothing whatsoever immoral about that.

And yes, she has a legal and moral right to participate in the democratic process. Nobody is disputing that. But part of the democratic process is accountability and debate. That too, is part of the process and cannot be shut down. What you are decrying is no different from what Yes on 8 did to small businesses before the election.

This woman has the legal and moral right to participate in the democratic process. The gay community has the legal right but not the moral right to put her out of business.

This kind of vindictiveness is going to come back and haunt the gay community.

Imagine what would happen to the industries of travel, tourism, entertainment, health care, retail (etc. etc. etc.) if we all walked away (or “got sick”) for a week?!

This is what they did down south in the 1960s–remember the bus boycott…and then they got their civil rights!

Onward in solidarity!

Notice I said “most.” That is still true, although I see a number of groups starting to promote it now. It’s good to see.

Although I must say, having worked on the inside this time for a grass-roots effort to defeat Prop 102 in Arizona, it has been a HUGE eyeopener to me to see how much distrust — and even disdain — many of our national groups have toward grass-roots activism. Again, I’, saying many, not all. (Thanks Stonewall Dems!) It was shocking to me to see this firsthand, as it was the last thing I expected to encounter. Quite a contrast to, say, the Obama campaign, which was all about empowering the grass roots and turning them loose.

Which is why I’m pleased to see the grass-roots get out in front like this, and seeing many prominent groups playing catch-up AFTER the campaign went viral. If it appears that I’m taking a little bit of glee from this, then guilty as charged. It’s a learning experience for all of us, and that includes, I suspect and hope, our leaders.

Since a huge number of Dentists contributed to “Yes on 8,” would it be reasonable to call and ask them if they’re willing to voluntarily honor dental insurance for partners who might no longer be covered now that their marriage is not valid or recognized in the state of California?

It seems like an eminently reasonable question, and it can’t hurt to ask, can it?

Here is a list of dentists who contributed:

http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-143101