Jan 212010
Maybe you’ve seen those guides lately that show you how to make healthier choices when eating out. I know I recently used my iphone app called Eat This Not That during a recent restaurant outing. I thought it would be interesting to use the same technique with businesses that do or don’t support the GLBT community.
Did you know it is still legal in 29 states to fire someone for being lesbian, gay, or bisexual? As of the beginning of 2010, it’s still legal in 38 states to fire an employee for being transgender. Given this appalling state of affairs, it makes sense for progressive people to support businesses that support diversity.
The Human Rights Campaign just came out with an updated buyer’s guide for 2010. Business are rated on a scale of 0 to 100 with 100 being the highest score possible. Scores are based on whether or not businesses have policies that support LGBT people (anti-discrimination protections, domestic partner benefits, diversity training, transgender includsive benefits and external practices.) For a full list of businesses, you can download a guide from the HRC. It is over 40 pages, though, so we thought we would mention a few notables.
Shop Here: Target (Score: 100)
Not There: Walmart (Score: 40)
Shop Here: Staples (Score: 93
Not There: Office Depot (Score:45)
Shop Here: Chili’s (Score: 100)
Not There: Cracker Barrel (Score:15)
Stop Here: Chevron (Score: 100)
Not There: Exxon (Score: 0)
Stay Here: Hyatt (Score: 100)
Not There: Loew’s Hotels (Score:45)
Shop Here: AT & T (Score:100)
Not There: T-Mobile (Score: 50)
Insure Here: Allstate (Score: 100)
Not There: Humana (Score: 45)
Go to www.hrc.org/buyersguide to get a complete listing. Then think about supporting businesses that support us and putting your money where your values are.
The movie Avatar has us thinking about creating more community connections with our fellow bloggers out there, so we went looking for a variety of interesting blogs that would appeal to our readers. Here are ten to check out now:
1. Advancing Gender Equality: www.transgenderequality.wordpress.com
This is the blog for the National Center for Transgender Equality and has up-to-date articles and news about political activism.
2. The Bilerico Project: www.bilerico.com
Read this one for “daily experiments in LGBTQ.” With over 75 contributors, this blog received the Advocates “Top Political Blog of 2009″ Award.
3. Gender Variance in the Arts: www.gvarts.blogspot.com
All about movies, writing, tv, politics, etc. You get the idea!
4. Intersex and the City: www.intersexandthecity.blogspot.com
A relatively new blog talking about everything from the legality of intersex surgery to Lady Gaga.
5. Laura’s Playground: www.lauras-playground.com
This blog bills itself as “a Transgender Umbrella Resource Community Online.” Many features are updated daily. Check out the transgender support group meetings online.
6. Pam’s House Blend: www.pamshouseblend.com
Frequent winner of the best of GLBT Blog Award, this site is “an online magazine in the Reality-Based Community” and has a bit of everything.
7. TGForum: www.3dcom.com
This blog has a variety of news, resources, places to shop, and a chat area.
8. Today You are You: www.todayyouareyou.com
Written by the loving mother of a transgender child from an affirmative standpoint. The name is based on a Dr. Seuss quote.
9. Transgriot: www.transgriot.blogspot.com
A finalist for the 2008 webblog awards in the GLBT category, this blog features “news, opinions, commentary, history, and a little creative writing from an African-American transwoman about the world around her.”
10. TransGroupBlog: www.transgroupblog.blogspot.com
This blog is the place “where a variety of voices from within the trans community gather to discuss issues, post news, and compile information.
Happy websurfing. Tell us what you think, and let us know if we are missing one of your favorites!
Jan 142010
Jan 122010
