I am 100% supportive of this effort. Virginia just passed the most restrictive anti-gay law in the nation, and it's about time that state entered the 21st century (hell, I'd settle for the 20th). Remember, this is the state that only 30 years ago fought to defend its ban on inter-racial marriages up to the Supreme Court. Some very nice modern educated people live in Northern Virginia, and God bless them, the rest of the state is run by bigots.
Do not do business there, do not hold meetings or conferences there, do not buy their protects. Virginia is for Haters, and that's why we now have VirginiaIsForHaters.org. Make sure you check with any groups you work with, do NOT do business with Virginia.
AP via Seattle Post-Intelligencer:
Gay activists are urging a boycott of Virginia because of a new ban on civil unions and other marriage-like arrangements for same-sex couples.
VirginiaisforHaters.org, a Web site created by two Seattle men, urges people not to buy products or services from Virginia-based companies and suggests tourists visit states that are friendlier to gays. The name is a play on the state's tourism motto, 'Virginia is for Lovers.'
Another group, Make Love Legal, is urging a boycott of the 400th anniversary celebration of the founding of Jamestown in 2007. The state is expecting millions of visitors for the yearlong event.
'This whole idea is: Don't spend your money in a place where people hurt you,' said Diane Horvath, a Richmond attorney spearheading the Jamestown initiative. 'My family wanted to come to Jamestown and I said under no circumstances will I plan another vacation in this state until this state wants me here.'
The new law amends the state's Affirmation of Marriage Act, which prohibits civil unions and other arrangements 'purporting to bestow the privileges of marriage.' Gays and lesbians fear it may interfere with legal contracts between people of the same sex, such as powers of attorney, medical directives and wills.
Many gay rights supporters and legal scholars say it is the most restrictive anti-gay law in the nation.
