If you are connected to me on Facebook, Twittter, or Pinterest you know that I recently found out about a bakery in my own town told a gay couple this past week that they would not make them a wedding cake.
My first thought was that this could not possibly be true. Don't get me wrong, I am not ignorant to the reality of the world. But in Lakewood, CO.
Within a half hour my friend Drew Wilson (Mile High Gay Guy) spoke with the owner of Master Piece Bakery who confirmed that that would not be serving the gay community.
I was stunned.
I did not want to react with anger, hostility or violence, in my actions or in my words. So I went to my world of social media and I got busy.
First to Yelp. Dozens of people had already posted comments and reviews. I wanted to post something on Yelp for the same reason I am writing this blog: so people who support equality and are against bigotry and discrimination in any form will know not to shop at this bakery.
I then got onto Twitter and Facebook and asked those connected with me there to spread the word. And boy did they.
As all of this was happening I began to write about nonviolence. For this guy to not want to do business with the gay community, well, that's his right. I doubt I can change his mind. (He has not stated why. His only comment was "use your imagination". What I can do is make sure that we, this amazing community of people who will not accept bigotry and discrimination, will not financially support his business. I will keep telling people about this and keep asking them not to shop there.
And I will ask them to speak out against this in a nonviolent way. No threats of violence, no curse-laden phone calls. Simply saying "I heard about your decision on not making a wedding cake for a gay couple, I'm sickened by that, and I will not shop with you" is just fine.
We can stand our ground and fight the good fight without becoming people we do not want to be.
Now I am hungry for cake. Good, vegan cake. I wish Beet Box would deliver to me right now!
Thanks for reading and thank you for your support. My email is vegandude@msn.com is you would like to email me. If you would like to read Drew's blog about his trip to meet the owner of Master Piece Bakery, click here: http://www.milehighgayguy.com/2012/07/masterpiece-cakeshop-serving-up-cakes.html
Wonderful post. I agree. I believe in using my money and my voice to show what I believe in. And being nonviolent is essential. There is power in the calm "I do not agree and I will not spend my money here."
ReplyDeleteLove you Dan! You're my role model. I truly believe that if everyone in the world were more like you, it would be such a much more loving, beautiful place.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to David and Charlie for a happy wedding and marriage with a beautiful wedding cake. Thanks for calling this to our attention and for suggesting a non-violent response from your followers – totally makes sense and is in line with vegan ethics/civil rights activism!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully put, Dan!
ReplyDeleteVery wonderfully written. I am all for peace and love - and non-violent protest. Thank you for being such a role model. :)
ReplyDeleteI called the number on Drew's blog and got an automated message that the number has been changed to (303) 763-5754; however that number had an automated message that instructed me to reenter the number in order to leave a message, and that didn't work either. Guess I have to email them.
ReplyDeleteLooks like most of the comments I saw on there the other day have been removed. I also just read this (below) about how yelp filters reviews. on.http://www.remodeling.hw.net/marketing/off-site.aspx
ReplyDeleteDang it! This is like across the street from where I work. All of my co-workers are friends with the owners - one of whom has a gay daughter. She won't be happy with this news. Thanks for letting us know Dan.
ReplyDelete