Box Turtle Bulletin

Teen pop-stars matter

I don’t pay much attention to Miley Cyrus. I’m not a 15 year old girl, I am suspicious when children of celebrities get cast in television shows, and I’ve seen way too many child stars implode. But, so far at least, Cyrus (now 18) seems to be transitioning well from her Hannah Montana role to a solo artist, has not got down Lindsay Lohan Lane, and may well be able to face adulthood with a sense of perspective.

And, okay I’ll admit it, Party in the USA is infectious.

Yet still, Cyrus is not on the short-list of people I’d select to fight for my equality. For one thing, her audience can’t vote.

But Cyrus can do one thing that even the most seasoned politico cannot achieve. She can influence where the parents of little girls spend their money. And she’s not hesitant to do so.

Last week, Urban Outfitters had a little public image problem over some jewelry that they sold which was similar to that of a small independent jeweler. Miley Cyrus used it to raise a different issue (Vancouver Sun)

Cyrus Tweeted, “Love that everybody is hating on Urban Outfitters.” She added, “Not only do they steal from artists but every time you give them money you help finance a campaign against gay equality. #SHADYASHELL”

Hashtags aside, Cyrus also pointed out, “IF WE ALLOW GAY MARRIAGE NEXT THING U KNOW PEOPLE WILL BE MARRYING GOLD FISH” – Rick Santorum UO contributed $13,000 to this mans campaign”

You and I may not care what Miley Cyrus thinks. The voters in your state may not care what Miley Cyrus thinks. But retailers of clothing very much care what Miley Cyrus thinks, especially when she’s tweeting to a million kids that could be their customers.

And Cyrus’ tweet is indicative of something larger that we are just beginning to see.

For decades we have relied on the decency of corporate executives, the economic advantage of a diversity, the loyalty of gay shoppers, and (in rare cases with limited success) on boycotts of the most egregious offenders.

But now, corporations are discovering the cost of being associated in any way with anti-gay causes or politicians. Target discovered this past year that contributing to a politician whose economic policies they prefer can lose you customers if he also has anti-gay social policies. And earlier this year the CEO of Urban Outfitters admitted how his boss’ association with Santorum is problematic. (Philly.com)

“You all probably know, till the day he dies Dick Hayne’s going to be famous for giving Rick Santorum some money 15 years ago,” said Senk, who has often described Hayne as a mentor and was referring to his well-known political leanings. “Dick Hayne’s a Republican, OK?”

“I’m the first openly gay CEO of a Fortune 1000 company, and I supported Bob Casey, who dethroned Santorum,” Senk continued. “So, obviously, Dick and I don’t agree, politically. Now, Dick has moderated over the years, and I probably have moderated over the years, because we have learned from each other…”

And as time goes on, as the kids who are Cyrus’s audience become a larger part of the market, more and more companies are going to find themselves trying to explain why they supported politicians who treated gay people as inferior. No longer will support for or against equality be a matter of little concern for kids who have grown up seeing gay folk as maybe a little different but no lesser than themselves.

And as we approach the 2012 election cycle, you can be certain that many a corporate executive will consider the ramifications of writing a check. And more than a few will decide that they don’t want Miley Cyrus, or anyone else, linking their name with someone best known for their anti-gay statements and positions.

Is it too much to hope that Miley Cyrus just doomed Rick Santorum’s presidential campaign?