Facing a
threatened boycott by LGBT tourists, dozens of local
businesses in a Utah community are fighting back
against what they're calling a discriminatory city
council. In January the city council of Kanab, Utah,
formally proclaimed that Kanab supports the "natural
family"--made up of a working husband, a
stay-at-home wife, and what the council referred
to as a "full quiver of children."
The proclamation was brought to light by
syndicated travel columnist Arthur Frommer, who wrote,
"I think they know perfectly well this is a smoke
screen for discriminating against gays." The Salt Lake
Tribune reports that a number of gay rights groups
began considering a boycott.
But local businesses have decided to distance
themselves from the proclamation. Earlier this week
signs began appearing in shop windows that
read, "Everyone Welcome Here!" The signs feature a
string of rainbow-colored people and are being distributed
by the local business owners' group Kanab Boosters.
As one shop owner told the Tribune, "It's
not just about tolerance but acceptance of those different
from you." (Sirius OutQ News)