Daily Archives: 08/02/2012

6th Annual LGBT Community Survey

(Community Matters) CMI’s 6th Annual LGBT Community Survey. Over 45,000 total respondents living in 148 countries.  Summary focuses on US respondents.

  • “LGBT”  is the preferred moniker by LGBT consumers
  • 73-88% of gay men and lesbians say that whether or not a company sponsors LGBT charities influences their purchasing decisions
  • 37% of gay men and 12% of lesbians say that “LGBT outreach” was significantly influential in their purchasing decision of a hotel room.
  • About 17% of gay men  and 12-16% of lesbians over 30 have attended a ticketed LGBT fundraising event with a ticket price over $100 in the last 12 months.
  • 56 % of gay men and 53% of lesbians say they gave to an LGBT focused non-profit in the last 12 months (graph below)
  • 27% of gay men and 22% of lesbians say they gave more than $1000 to LGBT focused non-profits in the last 12 months.
  • The top reasons why LGBT didn’t give to LGBT focused non-profits: Nobody asked me or I’m not familiar enough with the nonprofits.
  • Gay men drink much less beer and more spirits & cocktails
  • 77% of gay men support Pres Obama, 5% Mitt Romney, 18% other or not voting; lesbians, 84%, 2% and 14%, respectively

Freedom of Expression

(Community Matters) Aside from sometimes over zealous politicians expressing their solidarity with the LGBT community, I don’t think most are arguing that Chick-Fil-A’s president shouldn’t be allowed to express his opinion nor that the company can’t give their money to whom they want. Even most of those politicians have walked back their initial statements, now rather expressing their support for LGBT equality.

What you’re seeing is the LGBT community & friends urging others to boycott Chick-Fil-A too. Less sales, less profits to channel to organizations established to deny me and others equal constitutional rights.

I would argue against my city/county giving any subsidies for the building of one of their sites. But, if there are no zoning and development restrictions and they need no entitlements, I don’t believe governments ought to be able to prohibit their stores.

Our friend Steve Salbu’s NYTimes guest editorial

Steal Like an Artist

(Community Matters) I don’t even have to order Austin Kleon’s new book – Steal Like an Artist, I’m sure Steven already has it. In Culture Map

Update: ha! I just now read Steven’s last tweet (4 days ago): @austinkleon at Powell’s Portland. http://t.co/neBCwg9g