Bothered

In a meeting at work I brought up a new website called Gaywheels which is an automotive research website targeting the gay audience. The site provides all the information from all automotive companies but the companies who are deemed gay-friendly get a multi-color rainbow next to its name; the ones who are not gay-friendly get a grey rainbow. It's a way for the editors of the site to inform their audience about the companies they could be buying from.

Five minutes later I was in a conversation w/ a co-worker who was in the meeting and had known about the site and the site's owners. Can't remember how but she brought up a story she heard on NPR about the "Christian Coalition, or whatever they're called" and investing in funds of companies who are against the homosexual lifestyle. She rolled her eyes - how dare they - it's ridiculous. I opted a PC comeback: whatever, they can do whatever they want it's a free country, anyway.... avoid dwelling in the subject. We talked another 5 minutes about various things work-related and then parted after saying, "Let's do lunch!"

I really did like talking with her but that particular comment and attitude bothers me. I heard that story on NPR. Why does she take issue with Christians who invest money in companies that reflect their values - and not with the gay consumer who chooses Toyota over Nissan because Toyota is a gay-friendly company? The rise of American Apparel as a "sweat-shop free" company, Tom's of Maine as the "environmentally and socially responsible" producer of personal hygiene products, etc. shows the trend of more consumers and producers caring more about more things than just style and price.

I think it's wise to research before spending or investing money; everyone should. I get that people and organizations have agenda and opinions they support. But I don't appreciate the incosistency in this context, as shown by her comment. We vote with our money. Let people spend or invest it as informed individuals. I can't not support that.