When we think of boycotts, many of us may see images of Christian or family rights groups picketing outside movie theaters or banning the latest “trashy” book. Or we may see people supporting labor unions by refusing to buy products produced by companies that have unfair employment. This tactic has led to numerous changes because it strikes where organizations most depend: income. The cliche of voting with your dollar exists for a reason; the money we spend for items from food to entertainment eventually makes its way to the top authority who in turn uses that money to support political groups or politicians outright. If money we spend is going to someone or something we would never support, should we proceed with paying for an item or service, or can we find an alternative?
For clarification, let’s take the example of Urban Outfitters. Founder and President Richard Hayne, though purportedly not homophobic according to his openly gay CEO, donated $13,500 to virulently anti-gay former Senator Rick Santorum. Regardless of his personal views on homosexuality, he gave his largest political donation to one of the most conservative and controversial figures to the LGBT community. Hayne derives his money from sales at his stores, which also include Anthropologie and Free People, and because many of the products are aimed at socially conscious youth, a good proportion of that money comes from people who would not agree with Santorum’s positions and would not support him otherwise.
It is important to have an open dialogue about where our money goes and on what the founders of companies spend it. However, progress can be made through boycotting efforts. A recent scandal for energy drink Rockstar, which was tied to gay-bashing radio host Michael Savage as he is the father of Rockstar President Russel Weiner resulted in a show of support for the LGBT community. Rockstar disavowed affiliation with Savage and his views and pledged $100,000 in donations to LGBT rights groups, including $50,000 to a local LGBT Community Center in the company’s home state of Nevada and $25,000 each to GLSEN and The Trevor Project. An additional $12,500 was donated to the National LGBT Blogger Initiative to support online writers who were the main driving force of the boycott.
We all need to work together to make our companies more honest and keep our community aware of when our money is supporting something we are ideologically against. Please feel free to comment below to give us your take on boycotting or make us aware of other organizations that may be supporting hate.
