If I’m going to be honest, I have been dreading this day since election night 2014. We knew it was coming. With historically low voter turnout, Indiana’s most vulnerable populations were in even more danger of losing their rights. We at Indy Feminists registered hundreds of voters, and it was a tough blow to see the election results. That is to say, historic gains on the stranglehold the so-called “Christian” Right already had on Indiana’s legislature.
Now the burden is to mitigate the damage we’re stuck with.
Yesterday, a tyrant I did not vote for signed a hate bill into law.
Today, the nation responded by saying “Boycott Indiana.” One of my heroes, George Takei, has called for this.
And I understand. There is so much anger, so much rage, and most of those people calling to hurt us economically have no personal investment in this state.
But I would encourage people to boycott smart. To boycott the groups, businesses, and political machines that brought us to this awful place. But do not boycott the people of Indiana. So many of us are open and progressive. So many local businesses have already ordered Open For Service stickers to proudly display. So many people don’t have the resources to leave, even if they wanted to.
A complete boycott of an entire state would harm the very people who most need your support. We understand it, because for people like our governor the most important thing is money, but we’re also living through this.
I’ve compiled a list of organizations either explicitly stated as LGBTQ+ serving, or which are working actively, daily, to support and increase the status of the LGBT community in Indiana.
Yes, please do put the hurt on politically backward companies such as Mister Ice of Indianapolis which is owned by Scott Schneider (R), a state legislator who co-authored SB 101. Yes, please put the hurt on all the legislators and their businesses on this list.
But, to the organizations below, I ask that you show your love. They’re fighting every day to make life better in a state where the legislature and governor are openly hostile to an entire section of the community. They’re so necessary, and your dollars would help so much more than a wholesale boycott of an entire state full of good people who are disenfranchised, demoralized, and discriminated against daily. Whether providing vital assistance to LGBT youth, registering voters, or promoting and recruiting progressive candidates, or promoting gay-owned businesses, these groups are so necessary in Indiana:
Indianapolis LGBT Film Festival
Rainbow Serenity, Northwest Indiana LGBT center
Indiana Interfaith Coalition on Nondiscrimination
League of Women Voters of Indiana
Indiana Transgender Wellness Alliance
Indiana Religious Coalition For Reproductive Justice
PRIDE Alliance Columbus, Indiana
Indy Feminists Blog 