UNBELIEVABLE.

[stoney321]

I'm sorry to bring something like this to your attention, and I'll just state that if you don't have the energy to get up at arms over homosexual "Bashing," move along. I received an email from a company whose products I have used in the past, a company who (as a Master Gardener) I have recommended to others. I am now emphatically taking that recommendation back. This is the email I received in my mail box today. Jesus H.



This is not your typical newsletter from Outsidepride.com, Inc. In fact, this is the first one in six years which is not business related.I apologize for cluttering your inbox with an unsolicited email; however you are free to unsubscribe just by clicking the link at the bottom.

I want to share with you my television viewing experience the other night on prime time television. I ask those of you who agree with me to go to www.cbs.com and go to the bottom of the page, click the feed back link and express your opinion. I know the vast majority of you will agree with me as all polls indicate. We are the majority, not the minority as the liberal media would lead you to believe.

My wife and I sat down to watch television the other night with our children. Cold Case was on which is normally a fairly enjoyable show to watch; however, the last half hour of the show dealt with a young man who wished he had asked his male friend to come with him (long story short). The show ended with the two men hugging and obvious intimation they had discovered their gay feelings towards each other. The very next show was Without A Trace. The whole last half hour of this show was about two lesbians who were struggling with their feelings of lesbianism. It ended with full acceptance from one father and the two lesbians making out. Yes, they were kissing right at the end of the show on public prime time television. So much for wholesome family television.

Now, I am NOT trying to bash homosexuals and I am not a bigot;however, I feel homosexuality is morally wrong and should not be "promoted" as what is the norm for society. Text books are being rewritten as I am writing this to "highlight" every homosexual who has made a contribution to society. There are teachers who have been asked to make sure students know that, "This person in history was a homosexual." History is being rewritten to promote homosexuality and prime time television is doing its best to make homosexuality a "normal" behavior. If homosexuality was the norm, civilization would have ceased to exist thousands of years ago. Procreation takes a man and a woman. There was Adam and then there was Eve, not Adam and Steve.

There are literally tens of thousand of you reading this email right now. If you are tired of the way public television is going let CBS know! It will only take about 1 minute of your time. Again, just goto www.cbs.com and click the feedback link at the bottom. It is time the majority speak up and not let the minority run this country. The majority can bring back the Christian heritage this country was founded on because it is, "In God We Trust."

Thank you for your time,

Troy Hake
President
Outsidepride.com, Inc.

And this is the reply I've sent back to the President, Troy Hake.


Dear Troy Hake,

I received your email regarding homosexuality on television programs that run late in the Primetime scheduling block, programs that show graphic violence and gore, that show women being absued, children murdered or abused, and so forth.

It's interesting that you sent a spam email to all of your company's mailing list because of your horrified reaction to love. Two people who love each other. Yes, they happen to be the same sex. It's interesting that any time those shows have graphic heterosexual sex, I have yet to receive a spam-type email from you or your company, not that I want one, mind. Gratuitous sex is fine, as long as it's between people with the parts you approve of interlocking? That's quite hypocritical.

Even though you state that you are NOT a bigot, that you are NOT bashing homosexuals, you ARE. You are a bigot by saying it is wrong. That's... what a bigot IS, sir.

Interesting that abuse, cruelty and neglect to children, and graphic violence makes "good tv," but two people finding love and happiness - as exhibited through the innocent act of kissing - is wrong .

You have utterly convinced me that I will never use any of your products. Nor will any of my friends. I will be sure to send your email with my response to as many people as I can, so they can write in and let YOU know how we feel about how "Outsidepride" is doing. Just like you asked other bigots and hate-mongers to write in to CBS.

You should be ashamed of yourself, but I'm sure you won't be. And I'm sure you've completely forgotten that Jesus Christ himself said, "As I have loved you, love one another." There was not an addendum that it was okay to hate certain groups.

Best regards that I can muster,
Laura M____________
Texas Master Gardener

So. Here's where YOU come in. THIS IS THE CONTACT PAGE for the company, Outsidepride.com. Please take the time to email them and let them know how bigoted they are. I hope their mail servers gets so many hits, it bogs down. PLEASE DO NOT USE INFLAMMATORY LANGUAGE. Do not give them fuel to say "I told you so." Be polite. Be firm. And pass this on to as many people as you'd like. Link, cut and paste, repost, whatever you feel necessary.


Here is their mailing address, if you would prefer to send something handwritten:
Outsidepride.com, Inc.
915 N. Main
Independence, OR 97351
Fax: 503-606-0659 (Thanks for the great idea, carmelonia!)

I'd like to remind everyone that they sell SOIL and GLOVES. What that has to do with homosexuals on TV is beyond me. Ridiculous.

[ETA] psychoadept received a reply! Which still doesn't negate the hate.

And be sure to email CBS to tell them something positive about their diversity and consideration for all people in their programming!

[ETA 2]: guys, my hands are about to fall off. I appreciate the overwhelming response to this, and would like to mention that liz_marcs has some terrific blog links discussing this very thing. I won't be able to reply to everyone, but please know that your adding your voice is greatly appreciated!

Comments

[ladycat777.livejournal.com]

I love your brain.

Also, wtf. No, really, wtf. Without a Trace and Coldcase are not wholesome family programs. They're adult programs that deal with a wide range of issues, often incredibly graphically. Or as much as they're allowed on prime-time tv. That just ... god, I hate that argument more than anything. Hate.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I KNOW!! It's like saying Law & Order is an excellent family program. Dude, it's not Little House on the Prairie! (Which had rape and abuse on it, for the record. Although in a completely white-washed "we love Jesus and he will see us through" way.)

So friggin' ridiculous. I liked the "liberal media" shout outs and the old yarn, "Adam and Eve, not Steve" bullshit.

WHAT THIS HAS TO DO WITH SEEDS AND WEED FABRIC, I have no idea.

[thebratqueen.livejournal.com]

I can't be the only one who's seeing irony in a company named "OUTsidePRIDE" having a homophobe on staff?

That being said, your letter rocks like a chair. WTF, dude, WTF?

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

AHAHAHAHA!!! Right, right!

I mean... they sell SEED. And tillers. If they want to be a Jesus company, shouldn't they be fishermen? (Your icon is cracking me up)

If they want to get Biblical, I am armed and ready. I eat shit like this for breakfast, yo. *readies verses about "loving your brother more than your wife" AHEM*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I liked his chagrined "so much for wholesome family programing" line. BECAUSE MURDER is so friggin' wholesome. (Well, Cain did kill Abel, and that's biblical...)

If they get innundated with emails, they'll have to pay attention SOMETIME. (Thanks, and tally-ho!)

[tinpanalley.livejournal.com]

Oh, man...

It's interesting...because when I see shows that incorporate a healthy homosexual relationship, it makes me happy. I love that we're seeing that more and more.

And, these shows that are filled with violence and often very adult situations are only considered "corrupt" for his children when they include homosexual love? Poor, sad, and deluded man.

You wrote an incredibly strong, intelligent response back and although I'm sure that it will fly right over his head, it was very important for him to read.

I will definitely be writing my own response as well.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

*points above and laughs*

[elcazavampiros.livejournal.com]

OMG! What the fuck was that?

Fine, have your opinion, but it is truly unprofessional to send this opinion, unsolicited to the people who give you money for goods. I am flabbergasted. His assumption that all of his company's customers agree with him and will go marching to CBS to complain is completely asinine.

I thought your response was worderfully worded.

Thank you for reminding us how narrow-minded people can be and how ignorance can make people do stupid things.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

EXACTLY! I like that he starts off with "Now, I know I've never sent anything unrelated to business in our newsletter, BUT..." Dude, you shouldn't have STARTED.

Still flabbergasted by my inbox this AM. WTF, Caza?

[wickedgrdn.livejournal.com]

WAY TO GO, YOU! I have my own feelings regarding homosexuality, but that guy crossed the line. What that had to do with gardening is beyond me and why he felt the need to express himself in that way is ridiculous. I'm glad you took steps to inform him of what a bigot he really is. I wouldn't use that company's products anymore, that's for damn sure.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

And you know, we're all entitled to our own opinions, sure. I have relatives that are very much "Hate the sin, but love the sinner" types, which, while I wish they'd be a bit more open minded, at least they aren't trying to marginalize someone's happiness.

But to use his COMPANY as a platform to share his personal religious agenda? No, sir.

And I'm glad that you feel comfortable enough in my LJ that you can state your mind, even when it differs from mine.

[slasheuse.livejournal.com]

To Outsidepride.com:

I am writing to express my disgust at Troy Hake's attempt to boycott CBS for allowing depictions of loving homosexual relationships, even in a non-explicit way and in a late primetime slot. That Hake considers his behaviour to be non-bigoted shocks me only slightly more than the fact that he considers programmes dealing with murder, violence and child abuse "family viewing" except when they show two persons of the same sex kissing.

I sympathise not only with the LGBT employees of Outsidepride.com, but - on a personal level - with any LGBT members of Troy Hake's own family and circle of friends, who will clearly never be able to be open about themselves to Mr Hake, because although "not a bigot", Hakes considers this behaviour to be "morally wrong", and not "normal". I feel sorrier for them than I can say.

Shakespeare was bisexual. Michaelangelo was gay. So, in all probability was Raphael. Give me some of that abnormality, please!

Neither I nor any of my friends will ever use your products.

Also... has it NEVER occurred to you how the presence of "out" and "pride" in your title might - horror of horrors - lead people to think you AREN'T a nice, wholesome, "family-friendly" company?

How terrible that would be.

Wishing you a more open mind,

[firstname] [surname].


To CBS.com:

I would like to congratulate CBS on their positive portrayals of homosexuality in recent episodes of "Without A Trace" and "Cold Case".

I'd also like to warn you that Troy Hake, President of Outsidepride.com, Inc is trying to persuade his subscribers to complain about these portrayals. ...yeah, "outsidepride.com" sounds pretty gay to me, too.

Lots of love from [firstname], who is a lesbian, and who wishes there had been MORE programmes like this when she was working out HER stuff. xxx

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Ahahahaha!!

Right on, sister girl! *kisses you square on the lips*

[dedra.livejournal.com]

Done! Here's the letter that I sent them...whatcha think?

Dear Sir--

I find it difficult to believe that in this enlightened era, there are still bigots willing to spread inflammatory remarks and allow them to grow, much like the products that you sell.

Hate is not a family value, nor is discrimination. You cannot qualify nor quantify love in any way, and I believe it is disturbing, to say the least, that you would send such a letter to your customers encouraging them to spread hatred, bigotry, and discontent.

Were you, perhaps, unaware of the many people who would find that offensive? There is an estimate that there is one homosexual in every 10 people--and that only accounts for the ones that are free and open about their lifestyle choices. That does not even allow for those who do not choose to be honest due to fear, possible reprisals, or repression.

Although your products have been highly recommended to me in the past, you have just lost a potential customer, as well as those foul homosexuals that are my friends who do enjoy gardening. You may not know it, sir, but we are among the most affluent of minority groups and have a large portion of our incomes to spend on such things. However, in the future, I will make sure that the products that I purchase come from a gay-friendly company, not a bigot such as yourself.

Sincerely--

Dedra Linn RN

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oooh, the "hate is not a family value, nor is discrimination" is an excellent line.

Go spread the word, like so much compost! :)

(And amen to the most affluent of minority groups. Your damn right.)

[psychoadept.livejournal.com]

Pimped. And thank you.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

You ROCK. Thank you very much.

[chrisleeoctaves.livejournal.com]

The letter you received is shocking. Imagine taking advantage of your business' mailing list to spout such narrow-minded crap! I seriously worry about the fate of the planet when I read shit like this.

Your letter was wonderful. Kind. Human.

I'll pimp this, for sure.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

I mean, what an individual person thinks is obviously up to them. It was the company email and "let's take back our Christian values!" bit that blows me away, too. I guess no Jewish or Muslim or Pagan gardeners, huh? Yeah - Pagans are all against the earth and gardening, I've been told. *eyeroll*

YOU, darling, are wonderful. Thanks for pimping, and I hope you and the Octaves (I like imagining your family as a singing group, but not repressed like the Osmands) have a great day. *hugs*

[sdwolfpup.livejournal.com]

I am gobsmacked by the email that he sent out. That he says he's not a bigot, that he actually went to the "Adam and Steve" line, he used his business email to send something entirely unrelated to gardening. I will happily send him a letter very politely telling him off. *g*

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

SERIOUSLY. The company NEWSLETTER. And I live in Republican/Christian Right land and I've not seen a COMPANY promote their bigotry before! Wow.

You're wonderful, and I thank you. *squishes and hugs*

[cheesygirl.livejournal.com]

Just... just... dude! Once again these idiots just don't get it, do they? Homosexuality might not be the "norm" but that does not mean it's wrong or evil. He's getting the terms "norm" and "normal" and "majority" mixed up.

I'm not at all a gardener but I know people who are and I'll make sure to un-recommend any of this dickwad's company's products.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

EXACTLY. Normal doesn't mean morally correct/superior.

Thank you for getting the word out. I'm still blown away by the audacity of this guy. *high fives you*

[southernbangel.livejournal.com]

I saw mention of this yesterday on a blog I visit. All I could think was "WTF?!? Without a Trace--dealing with kidnapping, murders and such, and Coldcase--again with the kidnappings, murders, et al.-- are NOT family shows."

Sometimes I weep for humanity.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, sweet! Really? If you can remember where, I'd love to read that blog (and let them know of other efforts to tell this company what's what.)

And you made my point exactly: it's a show about the horrors and EVILS that people do to each other. Yep! Just like the Old Testament! (Which, unfortunately, is true.)

Have your beliefs. Have your thoughts. Just do NOT use your position as the President of a company to spread hate. I cannot abide that, ARGH!

[chantal87.livejournal.com]

What an asshole!
He needs a gigantic thump on his noggin.
Preferably with a rainbow flag.
I'll start emailing now.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

You rock. The idea that violence and abuse is "family viewing" is mind boggling.

[obsessedmuch.livejournal.com]

I... he... WHAT?

Dude. WTF does not begin to cover it. Your letter is brilliant. I hope the company goes under in a sea of complaints and boycotting. Won't happen but it gives my little gay heart a happy to think about it.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

If anything, I'm hoping that he'llissue a retraction and acknowledge that maybe his company is the wrong place to spread shit. Wait... Heh.

And yes: WTFUCK, indeed!

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

You have to be kidding me? Wtf? What do they think they're doing? I'm stunned at the stupidity of this from a marketing POV if nothing else; did it never occur to them that some of their customers might not be straight?

God, so hateful and stupid and how the hell they can say they're not a bigot is beyond me.

Love how you expressed yourself in your letter; calm, reasoned, and do please pass on any response you get.

Eesh. I feel like I need a bath ::shudders:;

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, excellent point about the MARKETING ASPECT. Homosexuals have ENORMOUS buying power, and he's an idiot for not recognizing that, first of all. Not to mention that his customers might not like hate, etc. etc.

*sends you extra bleach*

[slackerace.livejournal.com]

I find it deplorable that a company would use it's customers' personal information in such a way as to send out a mass mailing to further its president's non-business-related agenda.

I would never shop at this company again if I had received this email. Your response is first rate.

Frankly, homophobes like this dickwad make me sick. I am going to send an email to this individual; however, it will be once I am able to respond without the rage I am feeling.

I love the denial of hate and intolerance, and the the ominous however, which serves to negate whatever became before it.

Holy fuck. There are so many things on television that I take exception with. Know what I do? I turn it OFF or change the channel! My ability to restore order in my little cosmos.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Yes, ma'am. I don't want this in my inbox, and you can bet the first thing I did was to unsubscribe to their newsletter. Then emailed them. Then emailed all of the MGs. And then posted here. And then...

And right, right: the "however" is SO irritating and shoulder nudging. It's right up there with "I even have black friends." Well good for you, asshole.

(You turn OFF the TV? Are you CRAZY? Hahaha, right!)

[shipperx.livejournal.com]

WTF?

Words fail.

Why in the hell would anyone write an e-mail like that?

Good for you for writing back, but seriously, what was he smoking when he wrote that thing? And how high was he when he hit 'send'?

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Oh, he wasn't high on anything but his love of Jesus. Not remembering that Jesus not ONCE said anything about (either for or against) homosexuality. A bunch of touchy feely "love each other" crap, but when you DECODE that, you realize Christ wants us to hate the Jews and Darkies. And women. And drink beer.

It's in the manual, somewhere.

*flips the bird*

[marenfic.livejournal.com]

Anytime someone starts a sentence with "now I'm not a bigot but. . . " you just know whatever follows is going to be priceless. I think there should be a big "try again" buzzer that sounds anytime those words are uttered.

That, and "some of my best friends are [insert minority group about to get stereotyped], so I'm not a bigot"

BZZZZZT!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

EXACTLY!! I made that same point up above - great minds think alike. "YOu know, the Jews own Hollywood."

WAIT. I'm getting my Mel Gibson bigotry mixed in with my Troy Hake bigotry. Just like Reeses peanut butter cups with the chocolate and peanut butter.

[emma-daisy.livejournal.com]

Once AGAIN the real issue with Cold Case is being overlooked. I just don't understand how people can sit idly by, week after week, and NOT write in and complain about it's weird and confusing use of inappropriate music during the slow-motion scenes! My GOD, people! What kind of crazy world do we live in that The Monkees are used to set the emotional tone of the scene!

...anyway. Will link to this because seriously, how can people still be so amazingly stupid?

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Ahahahahahahahahaha!!!!!

OMG, their music is upsetting me! Bwah ha ha. And thanks for linking, and I KNOW! [/Monica] People are mind boggling.

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

Good god. What an asshat that guy is.

Writing my diplomatically indignant feedback to this gentleman right now.

here 'tis -- already submitted at their site

[entrenous88.livejournal.com]

I was alerted by a close friend of mine to your company's decision to send its e-mail list members a message asking them to make their voices heard about television programming on the station CBS.

In your correspondance, you asked that your customers contact CBS to let them know they were unhappy with programming that contained storylines featuring gay and lesbian characters.

I would like you to know that the news of your email had a very different impact than the one you assumed.

Rather than contacting CBS with a complaint, I am writing to three different sources in programming at that network to congratulate them on presenting a range of relationships and a diversity of individuals on their shows.

As for your company, and your choice to use your platform as president to attempt to spread a hateful message disparaging an entire group of people, I will certainly alert my large network of friends and family about the bigotry that your company promotes, and urge them to boycott your products.

I will also post about your company's zealotry against gay and lesbians on the newsgroups I belong to, on the blog I update, and of course mention that your company should be avoided at all costs to anyone I know or who I encounter in the future who has even a remote interest in gardening and purchasing gardening supplies. I have the text of the email you sent out on hand, and I will supply that to anyone with questions so that they are aware of your choice to link your products and sales with exclusionary and prejudiced policies.

[lostakasha.livejournal.com]

Thanks for posting this, L -- I'm circulating it far and wide.

My respone targeted the rank amateur idiocy of using his customer list as a bully pulpit for his 'opinions.' Never mind that he's a bigot -- he's a shitty business person, and I was delighted to let him know that.

Well, yeah, and point out the bigotry, of course. But I reminded him that shows like Cold Case and WAT are playing to advertisers that keep coming back for more -- more abduction, more rape, more torture -- more abuse of human beings -- which is, as we all know, outstanding family entertainment.

Thanks for this!

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

(hee! rank amatuer. I can see Giles getting huffy with this guy, now.)

The calling of those shows "family entertainment" is just astounding to me. Oh, by all means: violence - both sexual and physical - in a graphic nature is a-ok for the kiddoes, but sex? STONE THEM!

Thanks for spreading the word. Lots of people out there will thank you for the support.

[darlingboys.livejournal.com]

Stoney you rock HARD girl... I'm forwarding now to my bestest friend in the world who happens to be a gay man. Oh the horror! ;-)

What a fricking tool! If there is any justice in this world his company will suffer mightily for his idiotic spam email.

[darlingboys.livejournal.com]

BTW, I actually saw the WAT show. It was an excellent episode.

[cherusha.livejournal.com]

The level of stupidity astounds. What a despicable excuse for a human being.

And way to alienate a good portion of your customers. I hope this company has some kind of return policy so people can easily demand their money back.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Ha! That could be a very effective message if people dumped all their compost and lawn/garden clippings at the front door of this company, huh?

JEEEEEEEEEZ.

[yin-again.livejournal.com]

Done and done. What a putz. I hope his server crashes so hard it turns into a Commodore 64.

I love you and you rock, babe.

[stoney321.livejournal.com]

Ahahahaha!! Commodore 64. (I like computer humor. Nerd alert!)

You rock for participating, and ditto on that WTF.