Prop. 8 is the first amendment to California's state constitution that eliminated a civil right already accorded to California citizens. Prop 8 outlawed same-sex marriage, and was a reaction to a May 2008 state supreme court decision that legalized marriage equality.
What's an equity-minded sociologist like me supposed to do? The Pacific Sociological Association and the American Sociological Association both have their annual meetings scheduled in California. Many other academic professional organizations have plans to hold their annual conferences in California. Here's what I'm doing: I'm not going to spend money in California. I'm not going to support discrimination. I'm going to boycott California by not going to any professional conferences held in the state until they come to their senses there.
I urge my academic colleagues to also boycott California and to not attend professional conferences there. I ask that we join together and refuse to spend our money in California until the state changes its discriminatory laws.
Put your money where your mouth is. Boycott California.
I'm sure up for making our voices heard and making it clear to California and the world that discriminatory laws will not be tolerated!
ReplyDeleteOn the Joint the Impact site I saw that we have a chance to speak up, and light up the night for equality on Dec. 20th 2008. Check out the http://jointheimpact.wetpaint.com/page/Light+Up+The+Night+For+Equality page to find out where Light Up the Night events are being held in your area. Or come up with an event of your own.
I like ABCs idea of boycotting California ... although some of us have early Spring conferences in California scheduled by our professional organizations which might be problematic to miss. I plan to take up Persnickety Sociologist's call by contacting my professional organizations and letting them know of the ethical dilemma that California conferences pose for the equity minded. And, I plan to Light Up the Night December 20th!