Tag Archives: retail

NYC’s Pleasure Chest Sex Toy Shop Workers Vote To Join Retail Union

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Workers at the oldest sex toy chain in Manhattan, The Pleasure Chest  voted unanimously to unionize after bosses left them frustrated on Friday.

Pleasure Chest — which sells all things that vibrate and lubricate at locations in Manhattan — became the country’s second-ever sex shop to unionize on June 29, according to union reps and workers.

“This is not just regular retail. The job is really loaded and, as a worker, you are sexualized by the public,” said Nico Fuentes, whose actual job title is “Sex Specialist.”

“Management needs to help us all feel safe. They haven’t — and that’s not the way it should be. They’ve failed me on multiple occasions,” she added.

Workers demanded management set up “safety protocols” and teach employees “de-escalation tactics” to cool down creepy or aggressive customers at their Upper East Side and West Village shops.

The move yo join the union will include health care, benefits and protections for LGBT workers, said Chelsea Connor, Director of Communications for the Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union.

Workers fought against the firm’s “union-busting bafoons” at a 10-hour long meeting, where they voted unanimously to unionize, Fuentes said.

“The company and their union-busting bafoons’ blatant disregard for our gender identities during the organizing campaign only further demonstrates the need for a united voice,” she said.

“Creating a sex positive experience for customers in the adult retail industry always comes with its own set of challenges and emotional labor, but became even more difficult in the wake of the vehemently anti-union campaign that was staged by the company. Now that we have won a union voice, we will have the rights, protections, and procedures in place through a union contract that will allow us to continue to provide a sex positive message in a safer and more protected space,” said Emma Schledorn, sales associate at the Pleasure Chest.

The Pleasure Chest been peddling sex toys, books, and movies to New Yorkers since 1972 and was featured in the Sex and the City episode where Charlotte developed a Rabbit vibrator habit.

TARGET Wants Everyone To #TakePride, Pisses Off Bigots Once Again

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Via right wingnut website:  World Net Daily

Despite the drastic financial blowback Target Corporation has been weathering since announcing its plan last year to allow men to enter women’s bathroom facilities, the retail giant is continuing full-speed ahead in its pursuit of LGBT social activism, all in the name of “inclusivity.”

For the second year, Target is using a #TakePride hashtag on social media to promote its rainbow-themed online merchandise. The retailer’s “pride” paraphernalia include tee-shirts, swim trunks, flip-flops, headphones, iPhone cases and an assortment of other products emblazoned with LBGT logos.

“Target said it missed its 2016 Incentive EBIT [earnings before interest and taxes] goal of $5.74 billion by $623 million and fell short of its adjusted sales target of $71.62 billion by $2.13 billion,” Reuters reported last week.

In contrast, rival Wal-Mart Stores gave CEO Doug McMillon a 13 percent pay hike, following strong sales performance at the world’s largest retailer. A number of retailers, including Wal-Mart, have policies similar to Target’s, however, they have refrained from publicizing them.

Let’s do some math. Instead of their projected earnings of $5.74 billion, they earned $5.117 billion. And they fell short of their sales goal: instead of $71.62 billion, they ONLY sold $69.49 billion!

OH MY GOD THEY’RE TOTALLY GOING OUT OF BUSINESS YOU GUYS!

Walmart on the other hand lost 42 points on the Dow between 2015 and 2016 and has only recently crawled back to its 2014 per share pricing of 76.2 still far away from its once high of 89.35

 

Gov Bobby Jindal Signs Religious Liberty/Right To Discriminate Executive Order Into Law In Louisiana – #BoycottLouisiana

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BOYCOTT 2

Only two hours after Louisiana’s state legislature squashed a law that would have allowed businesses to discriminate against the LGBT community, Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal issued an executive order to accomplish its intent.

“What we are seeing today in America is an all-out assault on religious liberty,” said Jindal, who called the executive order the “next best thing” to signing the bill.

HB 707, which would have blocked the government from penalizing companies and individuals because of the owner’s stance on same-sex marriage, was overwhelmingly defeated in the state house’s Civil Law and Procedure over fears that it legalized discrimination against LGBT people.

A joint statement from Equality Louisiana, an LGBT rights group, and Louisiana Progress Action, says the executive order will hurt the state’s economy. The statement also attributed the move to the governor’s presidential aspirations.

“It is shameful that Gov. Jindal has decided that abusing his executive power to accomplish the goals of House Bill 707, even after it was tabled indefinitely by our legislature today, is worth more effort than fixing our disastrous state budget. In his time in Iowa, he may have forgotten what everyday Louisianians value, but the testimony today against HB 707 should have reminded him. Discrimination is not a Louisiana value.

Louisiana tourism which generates over $807 million – state tax revenues generated by travel and tourism activities alone fears the loss of billions from an upcoming boycott of the state from the LGBT Community and its allies.

Louisiana Democratic Party Executive Director Stephen Handwerk issued the following statement about the executive order:

“Gov. Jindal’s stunt today once again underlines his disregard for Louisiana families, his disdain for the state legislature and his apparent contempt for the state’s tourism industry — the only segment of our economy his failed policies haven’t crippled. Louisiana taxpayers and businesses are once again being forced to foot the bill for Jindal’s vanity. It’s foolishness our families cannot afford.”

#BoycottLouisiana

Indiana Gov. Mike Pence Promises To “Clarify Intent” But Won’t Admit The Truth About License To Discriminate Law – Video

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Fuck pence

 

The  Indianapolis Star is reporting that Indiana Governor Mike Pence has no idea why people are up in arms over the recent “Religious Freedom Law” and and is that its not the intention of the bill to discriminate against LGBT’s.  Adding that people’s anger against the state and the law is the result of a “misunderstanding driven by misinformation.”

Gov. Mike Pence, scorched by a fast-spreading political firestorm, told The Star on Saturday that he will support the introduction of legislation to “clarify” that Indiana’s controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act does not promote discrimination against gays and lesbians. “I support religious liberty, and I support this law,” Pence said in an exclusive interview. “But we are in discussions with legislative leaders this weekend to see if there’s a way to clarify the intent of the law.” The governor, although not ready to provide details on what the new bill will say, said he expects the legislation to be introduced into the General Assembly this coming week. Asked if that legislation might include making gay and lesbian Hoosiers a protected legal class, Pence said, “That’s not on my agenda.” Amid the deepest crisis of his political career, Pence said repeatedly that the intense blowback against the new law is the result of a “misunderstanding driven by misinformation.” He adamantly insisted that RFRA will not open the door to state-sanctioned discrimination against gays and lesbians. But he did acknowledge that Indiana’s image — and potentially its economic health — has been hurt badly by the controversy.

Also today Mediaite reports:  that pence appeared on This Week with George Stephanopoulos who grilled  Pence  over the newly-signed “religious freedom” bill, and again  Pence argued that the bill’s intentions had been misrepresented in media coverage, and insisted he would not change the bill, though he did continue to say he would “clarify” it.

Pence refused to answer two “yes or no” questions posed to him by Stephanopoulos over the potentially discriminatory ramifications of the bill, including whether it would allow a florist to deny services to a gay couple, as its supporters maintain. “There’s been shameless rhetoric about my state and this law and its intention all over the internet,” Pence said. “People are trying to make it about one particular issue, and now you’re doing that as well.”

Stephanopoulos asked the question several more times. “It’s a simple yes or no question,” Stephanopoulos said. Pence reiterated that he will not make LGBT citizens a protected class. “It doesn’t have anything to do with this law,” he objected. “This isn’t about individual rights or preferential rights for anyone.”

What a train-wreck.  Pence even forgot his invisible  gay friends!! He forgot to use the “I have homosexual friends” defense!!

 

NCAA Considers Leaving Indiana After “Religious Freedom” Right To Discriminate Bill Signed Into Law‏ – #BoycottIndiana

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ncaa

 

The NCAA has come out and said that it will review its “relationship” with the state of Indiana after the states “Jim Crow” like “religious freedom” bill was signed into law today and which would allow Indiana businesses to openly discriminate against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. The NCAA’s headquarters are located in Indianapolis and the Men’s Final Four is being held there next week. NCAA president Mark Emmert released a statement addressing the bill.

“The NCAA national office and our members are deeply committed to providing an inclusive environment for all our events. We are especially concerned about how this legislation could affect our student-athletes and employees.  We will work diligently to assure student-athletes competing in, and visitors attending, next week’s Men’s Final Four in Indianapolis are not impacted negatively by this bill. Moving forward, we intend to closely examine the implications of this bill and how it might affect future events as well as our workforce.”

C.E. Bell at Off Tackle Empire makes the case for Jim Delany and the Big Ten to join Gen Con’s boycott of the state. The LGBT Sports Coalition has called for all major sporting events to be moved from Indiana.

#BoycottIndiana

Indiana Gov Mike Pence Signs “Religious Freedom” / Right To Discriminate Against LGBT’s Into LAW – #BoycottIndiana

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Pence

Today Indiana Gov. Mike Pence signed into law a measure that allows businesses to turn away gay and lesbian customers in the name of “religious freedom.” The signing made Indiana the first state to enact the Jim Crow-esqe like law.

Pence who cowardly signed the bill into law it in a private ceremony in his office Thursday explained his decision to sign by stating that “The Constitution of the United States and the Indiana Constitution both provide strong recognition of the freedom of religion but today, many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by government action,”and that the law “ensures “religious liberty is fully protected under Indiana law.”

And Indiana is just the beginning eighteen others have similar measures on the books,

THIS MUST BE STOPPED NOW.  INDIANA MUST BE MADE AN EXAMPLE AS TO STOP OTHERS STATES.

Back2Stonewall.com fully supports and asks that everyone #BoycottIndiana.  We also ask that everyone do your bit to promote this boycott.  Contact sports teams, businesses, upcoming conventions, musical acts, anything that produces revenue for the state.  Ask them to cancel events and threaten the Governors and his GOP legislation that they will move and take their taxes with them.  The only thing the GOP loves more than GOD is money.  So let’s hit em where it hurts. And show thatm that hatred and bigotry WILL NOT be tolerated in any form.

#BoycottIndianna

Read Pence’s full of shit speech below:

Today I signed the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, because I support the freedom of religion for every Hoosier of every faith. The Constitution of the United States and the Indiana Constitution both provide strong recognition of the freedom of religion but today, many people of faith feel their religious liberty is under attack by government action. One need look no further than the recent litigation concerning the Affordable Care Act. A private business and our own University of Notre Dame had to file lawsuits challenging provisions that required them to offer insurance coverage in violation of their religious views. [snip]

This bill is not about discrimination, and if I thought it legalized discrimination in any way in Indiana, I would have vetoed it. In fact, it does not even apply to disputes between private parties unless government action is involved. For more than twenty years, the federal Religious Freedom Restoration Act has never undermined our nation’s anti-discrimination laws, and it will not in Indiana. Indiana is rightly celebrated for the hospitality, generosity, tolerance, and values of our people, and that will never change. Faith and religion are important values to millions of Hoosiers and with the passage of this legislation, we ensure that Indiana will continue to be a place where we respect freedom of religion and make certain that government action will always be subject to the highest level of scrutiny that respects the religious beliefs of every Hoosier of every faith.”

BREAKING: Indiana Legislature APPROVES “Religious Liberty” Anti-Gay Right To Discriminate Bill 63 -31

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Indiana

 

The GOP controlled Indiana State legislature has just overwhelmingly passed Senate Bill 101 which will provide a free pass to people and businesses with supposed strongly held religious beliefs to be able to discriminate against serving the LGBT community.

The “Right To Discriminate” Bill now moves to Indiana Governor Mike Pence’s office where he is expected to sign it into law immediately.

Synopsis:

Religious freedom restoration. Prohibits a governmental entity from substantially burdening a person’s exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless the governmental entity can demonstrate that the burden: (1) is in furtherance of a compelling governmental interest; and (2) is the least restrictive means of furthering the compelling governmental interest.  Provides a procedure for remedying a violation

The National headquarters of the Human Rights Campaign which has been all but missing on any work against  the numerous state discrimination bills that have been introduced across the country, FINALLY issued a press release late last week condemning the bill and asking Indiana’s Governor Pence to stop the bill “before its too late.”

Just like Joseph and Mary were turned away with their synthetic child so now are the LGBT’s of Indiana.

On a personal note I was once called a “faggot” in Indiana.  Let’s boycott this hellhole and lets be done with it.

Indiana’s SB101 “Religious Liberty” Bill (aka Right To Discriminate) Set For House Vote On Monday, HRC Late As Usual

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Discrimination

Indiana’s Religious Liberty Bill –  SB101 which: “Prohibits a governmental entity from substantially burdening a person’s exercise of religion, even if the burden results from a rule of general applicability, unless the governmental entity can demonstrate that the burden” (In other words discriminating against gays.) Will be haeding to the Indiana House floor on Monday for a vote.

Dominic Holden from Buzzfeed reports:

Of the 13 religious freedom bills introduced in state legislatures around the United States this year — which critics say would legalize discrimination against LGBT people — one leads the pack in Indiana, where a measure appears on the verge of passage with backing from the general assembly and governor. “I would predict the bill passes on Monday,” Indiana House Speaker Brian Bosma told BuzzFeed News in a phone interview Thursday.

Described by one of his critics as “the most powerful person in Indiana when the legislature is in session,” Bosma had just wrapped up a House vote in which his Republican majority shot down six amendments to soften the bill, all from Democrats, in 60-to-30 votes. “I think the votes on the amendments were a strong sign of how the bill will fare in final passage,” said Bosma. Bosma has tentatively scheduled a final vote for Monday, March 23.

Rather than solely banning government from burdening a person’s religious freedom, the Indiana bill allows a legal defense in interactions “regardless of whether the state or any other government entity is party to the proceeding.” The religious liberty defense would be available under all state laws and local ordinances, unless state law provides a specific exemption from it.

The National headquarters of the Human Rights Campaign which has been all but missing on any work against any of the numerous state discrimination bills that have been introduced across the country, FINALLY issued a press release yesterday condemning the bill and asking Indiana’s Governor Pence to stop the bill “before its too late.”

Just like their press release

 

GOP Congressmen Argue If Chipolte Can Choose To Serve Humanely Raised Pork, Businesses Can Discriminate Against Gays

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The stupid burns

 

Republican  Congressmen Rep. Randy Forbes (R-VA) and Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) in an op-ed published yesterday by the Washington Times argued that since Chipotle can choose to only buy humanely-raised pork, businesses can choose to discriminate against gays and only serve heterosexuals.

It is crucial that the same freedom of conscience enjoyed by the leadership of Chipotle remain equally available to business owners of faith. Indeed, much more so, as freedom of religion is explicitly protected by the First Amendment. We cannot simultaneously laud the leaders of a business motivated by a commitment to environmental sustainability and discriminate against the leaders of a business motivated by religious belief. If a decision based on moral convictions is celebrated, shouldn’t a decision based on the free exercise of religion – a right guaranteed in the Constitution – be even more so? To be sure, religious freedom is not just a choice of convenience – it is a fundamental right given to all Americans by the Constitution. As we recognize Chipotle’s decision, let’s remember that a clear constitutionally-supported civil right of religious freedom should be cherished and respected in every corner of this nation.

Choosing the quality of a product is one thing. Choosing the sexuality of the consumer is another.

Indiana House Committee Approves Religious Liberty / Gay Discrimination Bill, Sends To Floor For Vote

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Religious Freedom

 

The state of Indiana has moved one step closer to passing a Religious Liberty/Right to Discriminate Bill today.

Indianapolis Star:

An Indiana House committee today approved controversial religious freedom legislation after those on both sides of the issue rallied in the hallways of the Statehouse. The House Judiciary Committee voted 9-4 to send the measure to the full House for consideration. Supporters say Senate Bill 101 is necessary to protect the freedom of people with strong religious beliefs, including business owners who don’t want to provide services for same-sex wedding ceremonies. Opponents say the measure would license discrimination against gays and lesbians.

The battle over the bill mirrors last year’s fight over a proposal that would have banned same-sex marriage in Indiana’s constitution. But this year’s legislation is raising new questions about the line between religious liberty and discrimination. Freedom Indiana, the coalition of employers, gay rights groups and faith leaders who successfully stalled the marriage amendment last year, rallied against the religious freedom measure Monday morning, packing the House gallery with opponents wearing red T-shirts.

I guess Indiana didn’t want the South to be the ones having all the fun.

But serious with so many GOP heavy states attempting to pass laws like this now where is HRC National?  Even in the South they seen to only refer to the HRC Local chapters who usually do nothing more than throw benefits.  They really won’t be that much help.

Is HRC National doing anything?