Change.org Helps Negotiate Agreement Between ROCKSTAR Energy Drink and LGBT Rights Organizations
Published July 09, 2009 @ 10:03AM PT
Chalk this up to the power of the netroots and the willingness of a company to take a step toward equality. Change.org, along with The Bilerico Project, The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, GLSEN (The Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network), The Trevor Project, and Michael Rogers of PageOneQ.com have reached a bold agreement with ROCKSTAR Energy Drink, with the company releasing a statement today that affirms its support for LGBT rights, expands the LGBT-friendly corporate policies in its offices, and announces $100,000 in donations to LGBT rights organizations.
Change.org has been leading negotiations for the agreement. Six weeks ago lawyers from ROCKSTAR Energy Drink contacted us about a post we wrote in April 2009 that raised questions about ROCKSTAR and LGBT rights, which at the time had begun circling the web. In the time since, we have worked with all of the parties involved to reach an agreement that will affirm and dramatically expand the company’s support for LGBT rights and will substantially benefit LGBT organizations that work day-in-and-day-out to fight for equal rights and the dignity of LGBT people throughout the country, especially LGBT youth.
We’re particularly excited about the immediate financial support being offered to the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada. The contribution made by ROCKSTAR Energy Drink will enable the Center to continue running at full capacity to serve the needs of LGBT people in ROCKSTAR’s own hometown of Las Vegas. We’re also excited that in addition to enacting some very LGBT-friendly corporate policies, ROCKSTAR will also be supporting the National LGBT Bloggers Initiative, and in the near future the work of The Trevor Project and GLSEN.
The statement appears below. Again, this deal would not have been possible without the efforts of bloggers, the organizations involved, or the willingness of officials at ROCKSTAR to take a stand for LGBT rights. This is yet another sign of how netroots advocates can affect real social change.
ROCKSTAR Energy Drink Expands LGBT-Friendly Corporate Policies; CEO Russell Weiner Announces Additional ROCKSTAR Donation of $100,000 to LGBT Organizations
July 9, 2009
Las Vegas, Nevada – ROCKSTAR Energy Drink CEO Russell Weiner announced today that the beverage company will expand its LGBT corporate policies and make $100,000 in donations, shared among several prominent LGBT organizations. The donations represent a significant contribution given ROCKSTAR’s relatively small staff of 120 employees.
The contribution will be shared among the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and The Trevor Project, and ROCKSTAR Energy Drink will also financially sponsor the National LGBT Bloggers Initiative. The donations and affirmation of LGBT-friendly corporate policies mark steps by ROCKSTAR to demonstrate support for the LGBT community.
“It has recently come to ROCKSTAR’s attention that there might be a misconception about our company’s policy and my personal support for LGBT rights,” said Weiner. “We apologize for that misunderstanding, and want to make clear today that our company fully supports our LGBT employees and our LGBT customers.”
"Some have erroneously associated our company with offensive language directed at LGBT people, specifically statements coming from Michael Savage, who is not and has never been a shareholder or officer of ROCKSTAR Energy Drink. On behalf of our company and directors, including myself and CFO Janet Weiner, I would like to take this opportunity to disavow any offensive statements directed toward LGBT people, including statements from Michael Savage. ROCKSTAR assures our customers and the general public that our brand will never be associated with any language that does not affirm the essential dignity of every person in our diverse national community."
In response to encouragement from bloggers, including social change media site Change.org (www.change.org) and LGBT news site The Bilerico Project (www.bilerico.com), ROCKSTAR Energy Drink is expanding its corporate policies related to LGBT issues. In addition to reaffirming its corporate anti-discrimination and equal opportunity employment policies, which include protections on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, ROCKSTAR has announced that it has included an LGBT component in their company’s corporate-wide diversity training and will begin to offer company resources for employees who may want to start an LGBT workplace group.
Additionally, ROCKSTAR will continue to offer domestic partnership benefits to LGBT employees, a company policy that has been in place since ROCKSTAR Energy Drink was founded in 2000. Under this policy, LGBT employees in domestic partnerships receive the same benefits coverage as heterosexual married employees, as well as the same protections afforded under the company’s sick leave, bereavement, leave for victims of domestic and sexual violence, and family military leave policies.
“These policies demonstrate that ROCKSTAR is committed to equality in the workplace,” said Weiner. “But while corporate policies are one plank in the struggle for equality, we recognize that supporting the LGBT population requires an even greater effort.”
To this end, Weiner announced that ROCKSTAR has pledged to give $50,000 to The Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, a community-based organization which supports and promotes activities directed at furthering the well being, positive image, and human rights of the LGBT community and its allies in Southern Nevada, near ROCKSTAR’s office in Las Vegas.
ROCKSTAR has also committed $25,000 to Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), a leading national education organization focused on ensuring safe schools for all students, and The Trevor Project, a leading national organization focused on crisis and suicide prevention efforts among LGBT youth. Both gifts will be disbursed in 2010.
On top of these donations, ROCKSTAR Energy Drink will contribute $12,500 to sponsor the National LGBT Blogger Initiative, which provides training and support for LGBT bloggers, and pledges to support LGBT-related pride festivals in the future. These contributions are in addition to the $25,000 Weiner recently gave to Project Open Hand, a San Francisco charitable organization that works closely with LGBT communities on HIV/AIDS outreach.
“We’re grateful for the opportunity to support the work of these organizations, who are at the forefront of the struggle for LGBT rights in this country,” said Weiner. “We are proud to enhance our corporate policies and contribute to these organizations, and we hope that these actions clear up any misunderstanding or misconceptions about ROCKSTAR’s support of the LGBT population.”
Candice Nichols, the Executive Director of the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, said that ROCKSTAR’s contribution to the Center shows its commitment to LGBT rights and will be immensely helpful in serving the needs of the LGBT community in its hometown of Las Vegas and throughout Southern Nevada.
"We are pleased to see ROCKSTAR taking bold steps as a company to ensure the dignity and self-worth of LGBT people, both within their own corporate policies and within the city where they are incorporated," said Nichols. "ROCKSTAR's contribution to the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada will help our organization continue to provide vital services to the LGBT population of this area, including services for LGBT youth. During these tough economic times, we appreciate the significance of ROCKSTAR's contribution and look forward to working with them as a partner down the road to continue to support the needs of Southern Nevada's LGBT population."
Eliza Byard, Executive Director of GLSEN, said that ROCKSTAR’s efforts to expand support for LGBT employees and the local LGBT community are significant steps in the right direction.
“GLSEN is very pleased to have helped reach an agreement that immediately benefits the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, a community center that serves the needs of LGBT people in ROCKSTAR’s own backyard,” said Byard. “ROCKSTAR seems sincere in its efforts to affirm the dignity of its LGBT employees and the greater LGBT community, and in its recognition of the damage language can cause - damage that GLSEN confronts daily in its work in K-12 schools. We look forward to seeing continued evidence of this commitment in the weeks and months ahead, and to accepting their contribution next year so long as they continue upholding the principles they’ve publicly articulated.”
Charles Robbins, Executive Director and CEO of The Trevor Project, also said that ROCKSTAR is taking the right steps to partner with LGBT organizations.
“The Trevor Project is pleased that ROCKSTAR is moving in the right direction to act as a responsible corporate citizen that truly embraces diversity,” said Robbins. “It is important to recognize that the kind of offensive language which ROCKSTAR has now disassociated itself with can be truly dangerous, especially to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning youth who remain at a higher risk for suicide. Whenever a company or individual supports our work, we know that it is lifesaving, and we look forward to the impact that ROCKSTAR’s systemic support will have in our community for years to come.”
Michael Rogers, the Founder of the National LGBT Bloggers Initiative, echoed these sentiments. “I'm excited to see that ROCKSTAR Energy Drink is not only committed to positive messages about LGBT Americans, but that they have demonstrated that commitment with generous support of community organizations. I applaud the company's recognition of the unique partnerships that can be built between corporations and online activists and their goal of working for positive social change.”
For its part, Change.org has been working with ROCKSTAR Energy Drink over the past few weeks to make a bold statement on behalf of LGBT rights. Both Change.org’s CEO, Ben Rattray, and Gay Rights blogger Michael Jones, have been leading discussions with ROCKSTAR.
“ROCKSTAR’s show of support for LGBT rights and Russ Weiner’s significant financial contribution demonstrate that the company is committed to being a responsible corporate citizen when it comes to equal rights for its employees and its customers,” said Rattray. “This is a model for other companies to follow who wish to make it unequivocally clear that they support equal rights for all.”
Jones added that discussions between ROCKSTAR and Change.org have shown that the company is solidly behind equal rights.
“The overtures made by ROCKSTAR and Russell Weiner to foster an LGBT-friendly workplace, as well as the generous contribution to leading LGBT organizations indicate a level of engagement with LGBT rights that should be commended,” said Jones. “This is a great example of how bloggers, companies and LGBT organizations can work together to foster equal rights.”
Bil Browning, Editor-In-Chief of the popular LGBT group blog The Bilerico Project (www.bilerico.com), echoed these sentiments. "I'm pleased to see ROCKSTAR is taking steps to ensure all their employees and customers are treated with dignity and respect. ROCKSTAR’s commitment to continuing multi-year support of the LGBT community through both organizational and blogger outreach demonstrates their willingness to move beyond any misunderstandings surrounding their company. Not many companies would be willing to reach out to their main critics and find common ground for a solution that leaves all parties satisfied; ROCKSTAR should be commended for their eagerness to correct any previous problems."
About ROCKSTAR: ROCKSTAR Energy Drink is a remarkable entrepreneurial success story founded by Russell Weiner in 2000. Then only 30 years old, Mr. Weiner risked $50,000 of his own money secured by a mortgage on his condominium to start the company. Through the hard work and dedication of its employees, and due to the excellence of its product, ROCKSTAR is now one of the top selling global market leaders in energy drinks.
About Change.org: Change.org is an online hub and media network for social issues and collective action. The San Francisco-based social entrepreneurship venture operates a network of blogs covering more than a dozen major social issues and has partnered with 4,500 leading nonprofit organizations to provide its more than 500,000 members with opportunities for involvement.
Contact Info:
Tony Guilfoyle
Director of Corporate Relations, ROCKSTAR Energy Drink
tony.g@rockstar69.com
415-269-2064Ben Rattray
CEO, Change.org
ben@change.org
202-253-1288Michael Jones
Editor, gayrights.change.org
mjones@change.org
617-595-7868
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Comments (35)
Comments on Change.org are meant for further exploration and evaluation of the ideas covered in the posts. To that end, we welcome constructive comments. However, we reserve the right to delete comments that are offensive, abusive, or off-topic; that contain ad hominem attacks; or that are designed to subvert or hijack comment threads rather than contribute to them. Repeat offenders may be permanently removed from the site at our discretion.
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Michael is the Communications Director for the Human Rights Program at Harvard Law School, and previously was Communications Director for Pax Christi USA, a progressive Catholic human rights organization.
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Wow. Well-done! I love seeing the fruits of something as open and as seemingly simplistic as blogging, but I think there was more work behind this than this mere follower might realize. :)
Posted by Luella - on 07/09/2009 @ 10:26AM PT
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Awesome news, Michael. Kudos to ROCKSTAR, you, and all involved.
Posted by Clay Burell on 07/09/2009 @ 10:29AM PT
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I'm not an Energy Drink person, but now I just might start buying Rockstar!
Posted by Anna H. on 07/09/2009 @ 10:31AM PT
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I am an energy drink person who has been actively boycotting Rockstar products until now. Well done!
Posted by Greg Goldgof on 07/09/2009 @ 10:50AM PT
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Double-like!
Posted by Timothy Foley on 07/09/2009 @ 11:01AM PT
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I am a pro-LGBT rights person who is going to celebrate by buying her friends a round of Rockstar tonight. Congrats Mike on this awesome change and thank Rockstar for giving to such great organizations!
Posted by Amanda Kloer on 07/09/2009 @ 11:04AM PT
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This is TREMENDOUS! Well done!!
Posted by Leigh Graham on 07/09/2009 @ 11:18AM PT
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Impressive on all fronts! Kudos to Mike for starting the conversation, Ben for not backing down, and ROCKSTAR for moving in the right direction.
Posted by Shannon Moriarty on 07/09/2009 @ 11:44AM PT
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Alas, I continue to "erroneously" associate Rockstar with the Savage Weiner's comment's about autism. The press release doesn't mention that a) "Michael Savage" is the air name of one Michael Weiner, and b) the said Mr. Weiner is the father of Rockstar CEO Russell Weiner and husband of CFO Janet Weiner.
On his nationally syndicated radio show, Michael Savage (Weiner) claimed that autism is "[a] fraud, a racket. ... I'll tell you what autism is. In 99 percent of the cases, it's a brat who hasn't been told to cut the act out. That's what autism is. What do you mean they scream and they're silent? They don't have a father around to tell them, 'Don't act like a moron. You'll get nowhere in life. Stop acting like a putz. Straighten up. Act like a man. Don't sit there crying and screaming, idiot.' "
Hate speech is hate speech. Not that I'm an energy drink person, anyway.
Posted by Mark Romoser on 07/09/2009 @ 11:45AM PT
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Mark,
Although I agree with you to an extent; however, if we are all to be held for the "sins" of our fathers, then I would be guilty of being a homophobe myself. I would be guilty of being racist, etc. as my father is a homophobe and a racist. After all, we don't get a choice in who our parents are.
Posted by Dave Hershey on 07/09/2009 @ 12:18PM PT
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Very brave of you Mark to be honest in this modern day onslaught of homosexuality. Philosophically, I cannot see a person as a "bigot" for taking a position against this issue. But if enough people tell you that you are a bigot, you may start believing it. If God didn't exist, then you are a bigot. In an evolutionary community it wouldn't make sense to deny homosexuality a simple "alternate" position in the scheme of things. If your father were a cruel hateful person and hated everyone, he is a bigot. But if you simply disagree with the homosexual lifestyle, you are entitled to do so.
Posted by Mark M on 07/10/2009 @ 01:28PM PT
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Kudos Mike and thank you to Rockstar! Great job!
Mike, I think that something else that is missing (and fell FAR off the radar) was that despite Nevada Governor's veto of the Domestic Partnership bill back in May, both chambers of the Nevada legislature overrode the Governor's veto on May 31st! (http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/05/31/nevada.domestic.partnerships/)
I went back to see if there were any stories about the override here on Change.org, but there weren't. The last time anything was written was April 15th when the Governor said he would sign it. So beginning October 1st, same-sex couples will be allowed to register as partners and will then also be able to obtain the benefits under this companies policies (in their home state.)
Posted by Dave Hershey on 07/09/2009 @ 12:12PM PT
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Just to make sure there is no confusion, I won't be purchasing Rockstar, but that is a matter of taste. I don't like energy drinks. I just think it is nice to see that the company is donating to LGBT organizations as well as offering DP benefits to its employees. That's all.
Posted by Dave Hershey on 07/09/2009 @ 05:44PM PT
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You people that are now all abot Rockstar are silly. Because they caved in bored gay bloggers, they now have to pretend to support something they really don't.
Boycotting is 90% useless and the arguments people use to support it are worse. Let's say I need a table. There's a table I really want but I heard the guy at the factory who puts the one screw on the left leg of the table doesn't like gay people. By your train of thought, I should boycott the entire company, go without a table and start a crusade to get the guy fired or embrace gay people.
As rediculous as this example is, thats just precisely how carried away we are with our "gay rights" causes.
I guarantee you....that your money is ALWAYS going to someone who doesn't like gays. ALWAYS.
Unless there's a real principal involved (we ARE talking about energy drinks here people) then screw it. They can have my money, as long as I get that table.
And Im sorry, str8 people have a point. With all the misery going on out there (homelessness, starvation, the state of our health care system, adoption, racism, etc) we have the nerve to get bitchy and wanna take action when some OBSCURE company that makes energy drinks doesn't agree with us??
We've lost our perspective...
Posted by Robert Mills on 07/09/2009 @ 01:00PM PT
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Mr. mills...Speaking as just one straight person...Im glad that the homosexual community and the gay rights organisations fight back so vociferesly against any kind of prejudice and intollerance.
The way I got it figured...As long as we have corrupt politicians in office...As long as the various problems that we have in our society continue to be profitable to some group and/or corporation then...Were gonna continue to have those problems...I mean, as long as the pharmaceutical companies and doctors are profiting off of sick people then youll never see and end to cancer or anything else like it but this civil rights thing...Well, if you think about it, companies that are standing tall for civil rights...In this case, gay rights, run a very huge risk of losing a large part of their market...Namely the bible thumpers which unless Im mistaken, tends to rule the southern part of the u.s.
I dont normaly drink energy drinks other than gatorade but it would be worth my time, I think, to give the rock star brand a try.
Posted by Thomas McHugh on 07/10/2009 @ 03:58PM PT
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Doesn't the wife of Michael Savage get paid (and paid well) for working at Rockstar? Don't they live in a community property state?
What the corporation has done is all wonderful and good, but every Rockstar you buy will still put money in Michael Savage's pocket.
No thanks, I will pass on that Rockstar...
Posted by Rob Smallstep on 07/09/2009 @ 01:08PM PT
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Try not to trip and fall while running to the bank to deposit the hush-money! Way to sell out.
Posted by Eric . on 07/09/2009 @ 02:27PM PT
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I have a difficult time believeing this entire article. I would like to see them make a FORMAL apology on their website. Doing this in the open is truely how to apologize - so lets start there. As for the money that is all well and good - however I refuse to seel out my ethics and put all this behind me. I will continue to sell my Boycott Rockstar lines until they offer a PUBLIC apology and make their changes PUBLIC such as on their website. Show me they are sincere and show me that they are truely apologetic.
Posted by Scott Campbell on 07/09/2009 @ 02:57PM PT
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Interesting article.
Posted by Stephen Anfield on 07/09/2009 @ 04:06PM PT
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$100,000 is a drop in the bucket for a company owned by right-wing CEO Russell Weiner. That $100,000 ensures they're not boycotted by the gays. Meanwhile, profits still goes to the family of right-wing radio host Michael Savage. His wife is CFO and his son Russel is CEO. What his wife earns, he earns (duh!).
I'll stick with RedBull or Monster...
Posted by Jake Schaaf on 07/09/2009 @ 04:38PM PT
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Is there an action to thank ROCKSTAR for taking this step?
Posted by Ted Nunn on 07/09/2009 @ 05:44PM PT
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Tolerance has been affirmed! It's great that ROCKSTAR Energy Drink has pledged a donation of $100,000 for LGBT organizations, including the Trevor Project. With the company's tolerance for the LGBT community thoroughly intact, they're a better company in which customers can be sure that ROCKSTAR is helping to progress actions started by the LGBT community such as National LGBT Bloggers Initiative.
Posted by Edwin Bonilla on 07/09/2009 @ 06:06PM PT
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Nice work; never heard the original allegations, but ROCKSTAR should be commended for working with LGBT groups to fix the perceptions!
Posted by Nancy Hudak on 07/10/2009 @ 05:53AM PT
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Seriously? This is important gay news? I think it's embarassing that a soft drink company - one that isn't even really getting gay dollars - is taken to task for discriminatory policies instead of our supposedly gay lovin' government. Jesus Christ, I know that coming up with artwork for each year's Day of Silence gives GLSEN way too heavy of a workload, but maybe they could pay someone a few hours of overtime to at least say "the DOMA that Clinton made possible sucks balls!"
Posted by Drunken atheist on 07/10/2009 @ 10:43AM PT
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Don't drink the Rockstar Weiner-Juice!
http://gaywired.com/Article.cfm?ID=23332
-----------------------------------------------------------
Wanna know why us ho-mo-sexuals are never going to get the respect we deserve in this world? It's because we keep letting creeps of questionable political loyalties buy us out and silence us.
Case in point: Rockstar Energy Drink CEO Russell Weiner, who just weeks ago threatened to sue Gaywired and other gay news organizations for pointing out his political and familial connections to his racist and anti-gay father, radio "personality" Michael Savage (aka Michael Weiner), has just given a teensy bit of money to three gay groups, who rolled over immediately to enthusiastically embrace this co-founder of the pro-"traditional marriage," anti-immigrant Paul Revere Society.
Sellouts!
Here's the announcement as reported by Bilerico.org's Bil Browning:
I'm pleased to post a joint press release from Rockstar Energy Drink change.org, and Bilerico Project today. The beverage company will not be suing Bilerico Project or change.org and they have expanded or started many new LGBT positive corporate policies - including non-discrimination clauses and domestic partner benefits. Rockstar will be donating $100k to three LGBT organizations and has agreed to make a significant donation to the LGBT Bloggers Initiative as well.
ROCKSTAR Energy Drink CEO Russell Weiner announced today that the beverage company will expand its LGBT corporate policies and make $100,000 in donations, shared among several prominent LGBT organizations. The donations represent a significant contribution given ROCKSTAR's relatively small staff of 120 employees.
The contribution will be shared among the Gay and Lesbian Community Center of Southern Nevada, the Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN), and The Trevor Project, and ROCKSTAR Energy Drink will also financially sponsor the National LGBT Bloggers Initiative. The donations and affirmation of LGBT-friendly corporate policies mark steps by ROCKSTAR to demonstrate support for the LGBT community.
Well, whoop-de-doo, Mr. Browning.
$100,000 from Rocktard Energy Drinks is seriously small change. This is a brand that is distributed coast to coast by PepsiCo. Russell Weiner probably spends more per year having his car detailed and his cuticles trimmed (not by immigrants—natch! "Real Americans" don't work cheap, ya see...).
To add insult to injury, Bilerico goes on—in his joint press release with Rockstar—to mention the company's CFO, Weiner's mother Janet Weiner, who is also CFO of Savage Productions, the company that brings Michael Savage's hate speech to the airwaves. Has Mrs. Weiner stepped down and ceased profiting from Savage's horrible tirades? No word on that. Hmm.
Instead of rolling over and taking money from these hateful douchebags, we in the LGBT community should be keeping the pressure on Rockstar to do something truly positive and that is: get Michael Savage to make a full and unequivocal apology to gays and immigrants and then GET THE FUCK OFF THE AIR. Retire.
The rest of this disgusting, Uncle Tom-esque joint press release is printed in it's entirety below.
Yuck.
Posted by Eric . on 07/10/2009 @ 12:18PM PT
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What is one to do when they are Pro-Gay, but at the same time, a Group of Gay People, mostly from NYC and Northern NJ, have taken over their Urban City, and are intentionally torturing the African Americans in their City (Asbury PArk, NJ), by Gentrifying as many of them OUT of the City as they can, in connection with a Waterfront Redevelopment?
You can easily READ this Web Post by a Gay "Wickepedia Like" site, about "Gay Gentrification" ... http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/gentrification.html . And if you read it, you will see that Asbury Park is the number ONE Example of this happening in dozens of Cities nationwide.
So WHAT do you do when one group striving for their "Civil Rights" gets them at the tremendous expense of a minority Group, which was living in Slavery for over 300 Years before President Lincoln freed them. Even then, it wasn't till Presidents Kennedy & Johnson had written & enacted the official "Civil Rights Bill" that they even got a REAL taste of Freedom.
Now, they're being Forced out of the Urban Cities by greedy Redevelopers, whose "Front People" are mostly Gay Men! READ that "Definition" from an GLBTQ site!
There are even several Gay Organizations fighting them, one of which is Gay Shame, which is a PERFECT Name for it, in San Francisco.
But WHY are the torturing the Poor, and not Helping them, as they SHOULD be?
Could someone give me an Answer?
Steve
Posted by Stephen Wider on 07/10/2009 @ 01:50PM PT
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This is great news. Well done!
And hey, what's going on with the LGBT Blogger Initiative? It's been months now and I haven't heard anything about it. It's still around, right?
Posted by Matt Baume on 07/10/2009 @ 02:18PM PT
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Fantastic news. What was the role, if any, of Michael Savage at Rockstar? Was it false information that he had anything to do with the company? Actually, it doesn't mean much, whatever the answers to those questions. If he was connected with the company, it's good to know that is probably now stomping on the floor in a tantrum. Rev. Bookburn - Radio Volta
Posted by Rev Bookburn on 07/10/2009 @ 04:12PM PT
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Steve - Not ALL gay men are the greedy developers depicted on the Life channel. Some of them drink Red Bull and listen to Def Leppard.
Posted by Turk Fowler on 07/10/2009 @ 04:46PM PT
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Turk,
I have about 25 Gay friends, not to mention one of my 3 best friends from High School back in 1967, whom now is a Multi-Millionaire living near San Francisco since the mid 1970's.
I'm not at ALL "Homophobic", but the City here is 100% controlled by Gay people who Are GREEDY and out to make "Big Bucks" with our Waterfront Redevelopment, at the expense of the Poor. There were just several "Anti-Gay" Hate Crime events over 4th of July Weekend, by young Blacks. I don't condone that, but the Gays are bringing it upon themselves by NOT including 80% of the Population IN the Redevelopment.
I TOLD Ed Johnson, who's both Gay & Black, and now our Mayor, that there might be Riots coming down the road soon ... In 2005. And when young Blacks, 40% of whom are out of work, start getting desperate, they KNOW who's "In Control" and preventing them from 1. Getting Jobs, 2. Having Stable Rents (Due to refusal to enact Rent Control) and 3. The Utter & Total LACK of ANY Plans for AFFORDABLE Housing here, now or in the Future! Yet they're building 3,164 Luxury Condos from $450K to $2.1 Million EACH.
And Gays, who are only 5% of our population, control the City Council, Planning Board, Zoning Board, TRC (Redevelopment Org.), School Board and Chamber of Commerce and the UEZ Organization! You can't even get a PERMIT for a Party, Rally, March .... ANYTHING .. Without THEIR O.K.
I wanted to do a Social Justice Rally in 2006, and they SQUASHED it! Mayors from all over the State were calling me to offer to speak at it.
And, I'm very sorry, but if Decent Gays won't stand up for the persecuted Poor & Minority People here, then the WHOLE Gay Movement has to take the "Hit" for it! Period!
Look at that site I gave at http://www.glbtq.com/social-sciences/gentrification.html , and it PROVES what I'm saying.
Do you want to CALL our Mayor and TELL him he should support Rent Control, Jobs for the Poor & Affordable Housing? His name is Ed Johnson, and you can leave a message for him at 732-775-2100, which is our City Hall Main number, or at his Home at 732-776-8683.
He'll SAY that he's "Working on it", but he's been on the City Council for over 4 1/2 years , has a LOT of influence, but he hasn't passed ONE thing which will help the Poor here. His Idea is of "Affordable Housing" is $140-250K Condos, which would eliminate 60% of our Population from qualification, the same ones living in "True Poverty!"
My Pastor, Father Bill McGlaughlin, GOT $50K TRULY Low Income Affordable Housing Units for the Poor in Trenton, before he came to Asbury Park, but the City here will NOT Cooperate with him to do it HERE! That ties his hands.
They want the Poor OUT .......Period! And they are Soul Less People who don't go to Church, because they're EMBARRASED to be admonished by their OWN Pastors!
And what is happening HERE is repeated all over our Nation, as well! It's NOT "An Isolated Incidence", at all!
Peace,
Steve
Posted by Stephen Wider on 07/13/2009 @ 11:44AM PT
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The Truth About Rockstar has posted important information about the Rockstar Energy Drink Boycott on our blog.
Best,
jack
Posted by jack griffin on 07/12/2009 @ 01:36AM PT
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I'd like to make it VERY Clear that I'm FOR Gay Rights! But, if Gays HURT other People, particularly Poor & Powerless Black & Hispanic ones, intentionally, then they are PURE & Utter Hypocrites for even ASKING for THEIR "Civil Rights", when they deny those SAME Rights for the Poor! Period!
The Problems which Gays have here in Asbury Park are their OWN Doing, NOT that of what others DO to THEM! They have two working People with NO Children to support in their Households, yet they cry "Discrimination", while Torturing the Black People here into living with 5-7 People in a one bedroom because they REFUSE to Pass Rent Control. 102 Cities have Rent Control in NJ, including EVERY Other Urban City. Yet we don't, WHY? And if you read about Rent Control on http://www.policylink.org/ , it will tell you that Rent Control leads to the Economic Stabilization of Cities, NOT their Downfall!
Peace,
Steve
Posted by Stephen Wider on 07/13/2009 @ 11:55AM PT
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By the Way, Energy Drinks like this RockStar are EXTREMELY dangerous for one's Health!
Posted by Stephen Wider on 07/13/2009 @ 11:56AM PT
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I live with my friends mary and michele. they recently ran into some legal trouble that they believe that they are not guilty of. the courts want them to take probation. the problem is two people on probation cant live in the same house hold unless they are married. they are married but their marriage is not recognized in the state of IN. they need all the support and prayers they can get at this time. ways to do this is myspace.com/mickandmare or po box 117 lapaz in 46537. Thank you all. ive known mary and michele for a long time, they are like my adoptive parents and i have to do whatever i can to help them cuz theyve helped me and many others when they didnt have the resources to do so, but they still did and still do cuz thats just the way they are, now i need your help to return the favor.
Posted by Tiffany Tomlinson on 07/14/2009 @ 08:36AM PT
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Very cool of Rockstar!
Posted by kristina rosebrough on 09/07/2009 @ 12:16PM PT
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