Religious Right Targets New Victims
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Religious Right Targets New Victims
Elizabeth Anderson
Staff Writer Fighting Hate
report@fightinghate.org
In Feb 2002 the radical right discovered a new group to attack in its ever widening circle of those they do not feel adhere to their interpretation of biblical principles.
The American Decency Association (ADA), the American Family Association (AFA) and the Concerned Women for America (CWA), are well known ultra right extremists groups that have protested hate crime bills, gay and lesbian adoption and have urged the banning of Harry Potter books as they have satanic overtones. These groups have teamed together in a new assault on private alternative sexual interest events held in hotels throughout the country.
The most recent victims of these attacks, Bondage and Beyond in Michigan, My Vicious Valentine in Chicago and Beat Me in St Louis, are three events that cater to the SM community. Susan Wright of the National Coalition for Sexual Freedom (NCSF) notes, "They have been targeted by conservative groups because there is a misconception and myth about sadomasochism and alternative sexual expression."
The radical right has focused its attack on activities held at hotel franchises owned by Cendant Corporation, the worlds largest hotel franchiser, the worlds largest vacation ownership organization, and the worlds second largest general-use car rental agency. While publicly Cendant Corporation has appeared supportive, a recent memo sent out to all franchisees stated, "You must consider the potential negative consequences of hosting activities that your community and national interest groups find offensive".
One franchisee, Howard Johnson Inn & Suites, recently withdrew its proposal to host an erotic power exchange group at its Springfield, Illinois location saying, "our parent company has elected not to host any further controversial or potential offensive meetings or conferences. The implications of Cendant Corporation's memo may have far reaching effects for other organizations and events that may be considered controversial by extremist groups. This broad statement could preclude groups such as the Boy Scouts of America, Planned Parenthood, and even church services of various denominations. According to Tori Bowan, of Fighting Hate, an organization that works to expose groups that promote discrimination, bias and hatred towards alternative groups and lifestyles. While all of the groups I mention are very mainstream, there are people out there that find them controversial. Its a broad statement with wide reaching implications for everyone".
According to Nils, membership director of Fighting Hate, "These events are popular because of the important role they play in the growth and education of sexual minority groups. Groups like CWA tend to focus on events at play parties, and to take terminology like "Sadomasochistic" out of the favorable context in which they are now known. They ignore the benefits of the educational tracks and seminars planned by event organizers. Event organizers go to great lengths to find knowledgeable, reputable experts who teach others to make the SM art safer, and their relationships more fulfilling. Play parties serve multiple roles...allowing people the opportunity to observe and practice techniques first hand, and to enjoy the support of old and new friends alike. The inspirational and educational aspects of these events cannot be overestimated, and it would be a major setback to the personal growth of SM people if they would cease to exist."
TAKE ACTION 1
Please write to Mr. Allen to let him know that the community is watching these recent developments with great interest. Please note that letters and faxes have a much greater impact than email.
Sample letter:
Howard Johnson Inn & Suites
Kevin Allen, General Manager
1701 J. David Jones Parkway
Springfield, IL 62702
Phone: 217-541-8762
Fax: 217-541-8774
Send a copy to: Liz Ryan Sax
Media Relations Manager
Cendant Hotel Division
(973) 496-0750
Liz.RyanSax@Cendant.com
Dear Mr. Allen:
The radical right discovered a new group to attack in its ever widening circle of those they do not feel adhere to their version of biblical principles.
The American Decency Association (ADA), the American Family Association (AFA) and the Concerned Women for America (CWA) have teamed together in their assault on private alternative sexual interest events held in hotels throughout the country.
Mr. Allen, I understand that your franchise recently withdrew its proposal to host "2003 THUDDS" at its Springfield, Illinois location saying "our parent company has elected not to host any further controversial or potential offensive meetings or conferences."
When you bow to the pressure of right-wing extremist groups, you set a dangerous precedent by allowing them to dictate who you should and should not do business with. When they are successful in persuading you to discriminate against sadomasochistic groups, nothing stops them from dictating that you do not do business with hundreds of other interest groups that they find offensive.
You should be less concerned with what extremist groups find "offensive" and more concerned about whether your customers abide by the law. Your actions have been nothing short of discriminatory.
I travel an average of _____ days out of the year, and until you change your policy I will not be taking my business to Howard Johnson's of Springfield Illinois.
Sincerely,
(Your name, address & phone number)
TAKE ACTION 2
Please write to the Mr. Silverman, Chairman, Cendant Corporation to let him know that the community is watching these recent developments with great interest.
Cendant Corporation
9 West 57th Street
New York, NY 10019
Henry R. Silverman Chairman Board of Directors
Send a copy of your letter to
Media Relations Manager
Cendant Hotel Division
(973) 496-0750
Liz.RyanSax@Cendant.com
email: Corporate Communications Sr. V-P
Elliot Bloom
Email: elliot.bloom@cendant.com
email: Corporate Communications V-P
Laurie Quinn
Email: laurie.quinn@cendant.com
email:Corporate Communications Manager
Eliza Dalton
Email: eliza.dalton@cendant.com
Sample Letter
Dear Mr. Silverman
I would like to compliment Cendant for its stand in honoring its contracts to hold events such as My Vicious Valentine, at the Ramada O'Hare Plaza in Rosemont, IL and Beat Me in St. Louis, at the Howard Johnson near Lambert airport. Bowing to extremist groups makes them bolder in their demands that everyone conform to their narrow view of the world.
I am disappointed, however, to learn that Cendant has sent a memo to its many franchisees suggesting that they turn away groups that are "controversial in nature." I am sure you are aware that nearly every group can be controversial to another. Groups such as the Boys Scouts of America, The Gay and Lesbian Rights Task Force, Jesse Jackson's Rainbow Push Organization, The NAACP, any union organization or political party could bring, "potential negative consequences" Any of these groups meet your comment, " community and national interest groups find offensive" All of them have one time or another rented ballroom space or sleeping rooms at one of your many hotels. Is it your aim to turn us all away?
In fact, the groups that have driven you to this memo are in and of themselves controversial. The Concerned Women for America oppose women earning equal pay for equal work, the separation or church and state and father's rights to custody of their children. The American Decency Association is against hate crime bills that would protect all of us and they have urged the boycott of Disney. The American Family Association, boycott businesses that offer domestic partnership benefits such as the ones offered by Cendant since 1999 and wish to deny gay and lesbian Americans their basic freedoms.
My family and I spend more than ____ number of nights in hotel rooms for business and pleasure. We seek to spend our hard earned dollars at establishments that welcome all lifestyles and maintain ethical business standards.
I hope you will continue your support of special interest groups as you have thus far, the small vocal minority that appears to speak for so many, speaks for so very few. I urge you not to turn away your good and loyal customers in favor of vocal bigoted groups that preach hate and discrimination.
Very Sincerely,
(Your name, address & phone number)
__________________________________________________
Fighting Hate Organization's ( www.fightinghate.org ) mission is to inform, motivate and organize alternative sexual interest communities to respond to threats to their rights in a law-abiding manner. Fighting Hate will maintain a network that gathers information, screens it, disseminates it to the community, and provides the means for an effective response to challenges.
Fighting Hate on all levels begins with you.
To find out more go to www.fightinghate.com