Earlier today, someone apparently hacked into the website of the Steel City Stonewall Democrats and sent a very strange rumor out that a local LGBTQ businessowner is a rightwing Republican along with the thinly veiled suggestion that patronizing those businesses would fill the coffers of George Bush. Something like that.
It took me about two minutes flat to debunk that rumor. First, the message itself was poorly written and included a recommendation to visit MY site if the Steel City site went down. That's odd, especially as I have no content up about that individual at all. Second, I hit the City Paper website and found evidence that the individual had contributed to the Bruce Kraus campaign. Kraus is not a Republican. He is not a rightwinger. He wasn't even endorsed by the local Dems.
Finally, I asked Steel City for the heads up. They have issued a statement:
Early this morning a message was sent out to a large number of addresses in our database from treasurer @ steel-city.org by some unauthorized person who hacked into our system or somehow obtained a password. We regret this unfortunate incident, and we are investigating the matter at this time.The message pertained to a business owner in our community. The business owner in question has in fact generously supported our community, including efforts by the Stonewall Democrats and the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force. We apologize to this individual and to everyone who received the message.I'm amazed at how many people came to my site in response to this rumor. I'm further amazed how many times it was posted on livejournal. My God, people, think! What if someone posted an anonymous rumor implying you were betraying your community with no evidence to back it up?
Ledcat thinks it is the handiwork of Diane Gramley or another wingnut. Regardless of the source, we have to think before we pass along rumors. Steel City Stonewall is a good organization that makes things happen on our behalf. They deserve better than to be punked for a personal vendetta.
So if you think this sucks, surf on over and do the best thing -- join. Become a member and do your part to be part of building a strong local LGBTQ wing of the Democratic party. We cannot afford to take things for granted here in Western Pennsylvania as far too many of our elected Democrats are social conservatives and shelter their homophobia behind the Catholic Church. It is very important that the people we elect remember the LGBTQ in "we" especially as we head into the next Gubernatorial election (hi Dan O.), the 2009 Mayoral Election (Luke doesn't support gay civil unions, remember?) and so forth.
The only valuable lesson is the reminder to think twice before spending your money in establishments that are hostile to your own self interest. Put your gay dollars where they count. Start with Steel City Stonewall Democrats. Ledcat and I belong. All the cool homos do.
