Is it being a hypocrite???

Question

I was talking to a friend of mine the other day and she found out that some of the bigger customers that I have are evangilists. I own a specialty printing company and I made brocures, banners and other promotional items for their various campains. These groups openly oppose gay marriage and gay rights. I always carged full retail on all jobs. No discounts.

My friend says that I am being a traitor to the community and a hypocrite. I tell her that being a person that was discriminated against many times in my life. I will not discriminate against another, no matter who they are. If I was to refuse to do the work for them I would be more of a hypocrite.

Is my friend right??? am I a traitor to the community?

Answer 1

As a rather wise actor said to another in a movie I saw once... "nuttin poisonnel, it's bizniss..."

You're in business, that's what you do, you make signs, banners, you print things. Would be nice if GLBT folk came by and placed orders with you, but if not... bills need to get paid, and we all suffer from a powerful urge to eat once in a while. You have to look after yourself and your household, family. If you don't, I'm sorry to sound so mean but, it's not like the community will look after you. I've heard enough from the GLB's and how some feel it would be so cool to cut off the "T" and leave us to die. If that's the way they feel, then hey, you gotta do what you gotta do. Send a little to the HRC and keep on truckin' momma!

Answer 2

I don't think you're being a "traitor to the community", but I do think you need to look at what these people are doing and decide whether or not it's in YOUR beliefs to help them. Business is not always strictly business. I can honestly say that if I knew some of my customers were using my work and products for hateful means I would never wish to serve them in any way.

It may not be in good business sense to do so, but you also need to follow what you believe is beneficial to people who deserve it.. Is it wrong to sell a gun to someone if you know they're going to kill another?

Answer 3

Traitor is a strong word. In one respect, you would be viewed as one if you PRINTED items that opposed views on gay marriage/rights, or hate literature. Doing that would be hypocritical but I find no wrong on your part if you printed other items that promote peace. I'm sure not all evangelist promotional items are strictly focusing on gays. This is my viewpoint on a personal level.

In business however, it is within your right to do business with whom you choose, and where you choose to draw the line on what to print or not. One form of prejudice does not make another form of prejudice right; reverse prejudice is just as bad.

Answer 4

Unfortunately this is one battle that there may not be a winner. The decision has to be made whether you feel you can influence the other side (evangelist) in a postive way which not only helps you but does not hurt you or the community and whether your right and need to make a living as well as your moral fiber would suffer or not from their business or loss of their business.

Answer 5

I find it ironic that some have chosen to blame you.I think they would be the first to object if a pharmacy refused to fill a subscription for their aids medicine based on religious beliefs.You are a business woman and you are making money.Am I a traitor because my father is a baptist minister and doesn't agree with gay marriage but I still talk to him I don't think so he is my father.Take their money charge them right and as long as they act proper in your store respect that they have a right to free speech as well.

Answer 6

A traitor to the community? You live in a colony of lesbians on a secluded island where only they are allowed to live?

You are correct that to discriminate is wrong, no matter how petty someone else's religious beliefs may be.

Answer 7

I think it is your personal call whether you want to continue to do business with those people. I don't see any conflicts in ethics.

Having said that, do you personally feel comfortable that you are helping the running of businesses that hurt gay people's rights? your own rights?

I don't think it's unethical, however, I do think that it touches upon social responsibilities. Whether you are gay/bisexual/straight - if you believe that gay people should have equal rights - by essentially supporting businesses that oppose that, it does seem to go against your social responsibility, not to mention personal moral standards.

So, in the end, I think you have the rights to choose what to do. It's your money, your earning, your business. However, if I were your friend, you'd earn my respect if you stopped associating with those people.

Answer 8

You are a businesswoman. You are in business to make money. If you want to cut them out because you think you're being a "traitor" then go ahead. But be ready to accept any and all backlash from your actions (whatever they may be). You can't make everyone happy, and your friend has no right to call you a traitor.

Answer 9

If the materials that you are actually printing spread hate about you and people like you then you may be.

In that position, I would say "I like having you as a customer but what you are asking me to print offends me personally, so I need to ask you if you could take this one job somewhere else. I hope you understand and that you will use me for your other printing needs.

If it's just that they have certain offensive views but they are not asking you to participate in spreading them, then it's no problelm ethically in my book.

Answer 10

You need to support your family. It's a job. You're not the one writing the stuff. You're not the one putting it all together. You're not the one handing it out to others. And you're not the one spewing the hate.
So, your not being a hypocrite, your doing your job.
If you feel you that it's unethical for you, or you feel bad, or you don't like it. Then stop printing their stuff. It's your call in the end.