Fallout from Prop 8 continues as various organizations, who have pro-gay rights missions or are dedicated to upholding their non-discrimination policies, decide how to approach businesses and other organizations (the Mormon Church of course being a primary target) in California that gave money to the Yes on Prop 8 campaign.
Working in the world of scholarly organizations myself, I found Inside Higher Ed’s article on the American Historical Association (AHA)’s decision to go ahead with their conference at the Manchester Grand Hyatt San Diego as planned especially interesting. The Manchester Hyatt’s owner, Doug Manchester, funneled a great deal of money to the campaign. Instead of backing out of their contract, which would still drop hundreds of thousands of dollars into Doug Manchester’s hands plus allow him to book the space for another function, the AHA has voted on an alternative proposal to pack their program with sessions dealing with gay rights issues. Given how much the AHA has already invested and that Manchester would get much of the money either way, I actually very much like this alternative plan. Other scholarly organizations, which have not yet signed contracts, are planning to boycott the hotel.
I am still amazed by stories of business owners in California who gave a great deal to Proposition 8 and didn’t think that their businesses would be affected by their support for a law that discriminates against many of their clients.
Comments
Deborah Siegel — January 6, 2009
I LOVE AHA's solution!! HA!!!!
Powell DeGange — January 6, 2009
The New AHA Solution was not even passed with the needed 100 people present to vote on it. Canceling the AHA's conference would impact Manchester's bottom line and the assumption that he already has banked a lot of AHA’s money is false. The Convention is a year out. No contract mandates that an association pay substantial funds a year away from the meeting date. This situation is no fault of AHA’s however they need to fight Manchester on this and demand they get out of their contract because of the irresponsible action’s of the hotel that places AHA in a compromising position. By continuing to have the conference here, AHA is perpetuating the injustice and discrimination. Other associations, including other academics, have stood up for justice in San Diego and canceled their contracts as to not violate the lgbt boycott and cross the hotel worker union picket line. How hypocritical is it to have panels discussing gay issues while holding the very event and conference at hotel owned by a huge contributor to the discriminatory ballot measure.
Please watch this youtube video on what happened when the National Communications Association came to San Diego:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hO6JQydegf8&feature=related