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OK once again back to the original topic
Bring in gay tourists and more tolerance, too
Friday, February 02, 2007
Connie Schultz
Plain Dealer Columnist
When I first heard that Cleveland was about to launch a marketing campaign to entice gays and lesbians to spend their tourism dollars here, I scratched my head and let out a long hmmmm.

Um, 'scuse me? Didn't we tell all those gays and lesbians that we don't want them here? Wasn't that the basic message after the majority of Ohio voters passed that heinous bill in 2004 called Issue 1?

There were 11 such ballot amendments around the country that year, but we got top billing in media coverage because everyone agreed that ours was the worst. We banned gay marriages and all civil unions and stripped health benefits to unmarried couples -- gay or straight -- even when they had children. When it came to sanctioning bigotry, no one did it better than Ohio. Nice to be No. 1 in something.

That was us, right?

Just checking.

So, when I heard that the Convention and Visitors Bureau of Greater Cleveland wants to target gays and lesbians -- this time "target" being a good thing -- I was skeptical. What's the motto going to be: "It's a Nice Place to Visit But You Wouldn't Want to Live Here"?

You could fill a medium-size town with the number of gays and lesbians who left Ohio after 2004. I've met at least half of them in Manhattan alone, and I don't think we can count on them anytime soon to spread the good cheer.

Then there are all those gays and lesbians whose family values kept them here: They have steady jobs they love, their children are doing well in school, their parents need them, they have a whole community of friends they don't want to leave. As campaign slogans go, though, "I'm Stuck Here" doesn't exactly drag 'em in either.

So, what could the bureau be thinking?

One word: ka-ching.

Turns out, lots of gays and lesbians make lots and lots of money. The Travel Industry Association commissioned a study released in December that showed the "average gay party of 2.8 people" -- I'm going to go out on a limb here and speculate that most were couples and families -- spent an average of $2,940 per trip, compared with the $2,870 per trip spent by the "average heterosexual party" of 3.8 people, a whole people more, by the way.

Who knew?

Well, actually, a lot of us knew. You can't do much business -- or even much living -- in Cleveland without coming across some annoyingly talented and generous member of the gay, lesbian, transgender and bisexual community. The list is long in my own life, past and present: my pastor, our mortgage broker, several chefs, three florists, a former veterinarian, a hairdresser who moved away, a printer and several of my closest friends. All those friends could afford to buy houses before I did.

They're everywhere. They're everywhere.

And that's a good thing.

The best news has been the response to the marketing plan so far. Sarah Fryberger, the visitor bureau's spokeswoman, had expected an onslaught of negative calls. Instead, a growing number of businesses and civic organizations are calling to jump on the welcome train. They want to make sure they're on the list of LGBT-friendly places.

I wish they'd been so eager in their support of the LGBT community in 2004, but let's not quibble. They're stepping up now. Welcome.

Fryberger also is paying close attention to the details. One person from New York called warning her that some gays and lesbians won't travel to Ohio because they're afraid that, should their partner get sick, they'll be banned from the hospital emergency room. Fryberger is compiling a list of hospitals where policies honor such couples.

Think about it. Even if I laced my husband's meatloaf with arsenic, I'd be allowed to stand next to his hospital bed simply because he married the opposite sex. Imagine the damage I could do until his blood test came back.

Fryberger is thrilled with the response from the Cleveland business community. "I'd be happy if the only thing we get from this is the chance to extend a warm welcome."

I'll be even happier when all of us mean it.

To reach this Plain Dealer columnist:

cschultz@plaind.com, 216-999-5087
link

I don't know if how much gays spend is a good gauge of how much they make. Maybe they just like to appear to make lots and lots of money.

Which I believe is the case. I used to work with a gay guy who always dressed the part of a wealthy person--but in reality he lived with his mom and he was 50!!

And a few other gays I know haven't got a lot of money---but they tend to spend it on their appearance. Hence, making them seem wealthier.

This could be way off, but its always appeared to me as if its true.

Another dig from lama, which I will ignore. It keeps me on the path to inner peace haha.

I like your sig, ralphie. Profound.

I should have put a smilie there, lama. I was only friggin' kidding ya. I almost always post like an arse in tailgate.... How long have YOU been around here???

I accept your apology in advance for your merciless attacks on me.

And to think that after you posted your pic on michelle's photobucket thing, I lauded your ability to colour-coordinate your hair, lip gloss and blouse. I even said you were hot!

OK we can bury the hacket. Do I get to pick where

No burying the Hackett please!!

Oops that's what I get for trying to post while my cat is sitting on my hand. Is Buddy still alive? If he is you're right burying him would not be a good idea.

He passed in 2003. I always liked him..

Nice quote job, Ralphie. Oh well, it makes about as much sense as anything else you type.

Notice how Ralphie doesn't mention any of the men disagreeing with Lamp? Quite telling isn't it?

Are you trying to start an argument, jules?

Jules .... so where did you ladies come up with the broomsticks and witches logo???? "Quite telling isn't it."!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You may have to search awhile to find any "anti-gay" statements by me,Jules. To each their own...matters little to me as I have 2 or 3 cousins who are gay and all live within 60 miles of Cleveland. Great people and have a sense of humor about most issues.

I miss Barney.

Well Jules...."Oh well, it makes about as much sense as anything else you type."
Your implication is that I do not make sense in anything I have posted and the gay issue I have posted about so....by your definiton I have made improper remarks concerning gays.

I really do enjoy the banter between all the posters on this board but some folks here cannot separate remarks made weeks ago in jest from remarks made recently.

OH


MY


GOD!!