This looks like a great event. Get out and support these businesses. Here’s the press release:
On Saturday, June 11, a group of Asheville businesses will donate a percentage of their proceeds to LGBTQ nonprofits to protest House Bill 2.
Businesses have elected to donate anywhere from 1% to 20% of Saturday’s proceeds to an LGBTQ nonprofit of their choice. Most businesses will donate to Equality NC or Campaign for Southern Equality, two major advocacy groups working to repeal HB2.
“Corporate leaders have been some of the most vocal opponents of HB2,” says Marylee Sumeriski from Dancing Bear Toys. “Individually, small businesses get drowned out in the national conversation. We make a bigger impact if we work together.”
Sumeriski and her co-worker, Jordan Castelloe, organized Shop for Equality to give small businesses a platform make their voices heard.
“It impacts small businesses like ours that thrive on the tourism industry as we watch conferences, shows, exhibits and concerts continue to cancel their visits due to the legislation,” says Noora Cox from Green Sage. “And more importantly it impedes on the development and growth of the economy and community of WNC as more and more businesses and homeowners look elsewhere to settle.”
“It’s really an issue of human rights,” says Sarah Evers, owner of Dancing Bear Toys. “We want all of our customers and community members to be treated with equal dignity and respect.”
Participating businesses include Edna’s of Asheville, Green Sage Cafe, Early Girl Eatery, King Daddy’s Chicken and Waffles, Patton Avenue Pet Company, Blackbird Frame and Art, Dancing Bear Toys, Instant Karma, and THE BLOCK Off Biltmore. For a complete and updated list of participants, please visit www.shopforequality.wordpress.com.