Whether impressive or fabulous, I appreciate your compliments - thanks! I do try to weave a tapestry of current events into my comments.

First, I would like to thank everyone for their comments, whether thoughtful or angry. I thought a further explanation is warranted. I have traveled extensively and sometimes been shocked at difference I encounter. For example, I have traveled through Arab countries where I was flabbergasted to hear local people praise Saddam Hussein as misunderstood by Americans. I have also encountered equally shocking opinions in East Europe and parts of Asia. Yet I feel that my understanding of the world was greatly enhanced by this exposure.

This is different because the events in NC fundamentally institutionalizing bigotry are so recent and make me question whether I should be spending my money in NC at this time. Maybe after some time elapses, I would feel differently.

For those who care,

c'mon, this is a troll!

Went to grad school in nc, one of the most beautiful states. Husband and I have planned a trip to Asheville in September--after much deliberation. Have decided that it's bet to "show up." We're thinking of stamping all our money with something like, "money brought to your state from another gay family."

As long as you boycott California and the vast majority of the states in the US, I see no reason why not.

The NC outcome is stupid, but stupidity regarding this topic is quite widespread. It is not really a regional issue.

http://lesbianlife.about.com/od/wedd...arriageBan.htm

Obviously, due to my own circumstances, I was disappointed in the recent NC vote. I fully support the right of the majority in that state but to say that "there is bigotry everywhere" as a justification to totally ignore a vote you disagree with is simply that: a justification.

I'm certain that majority isn't the least bit interested in those people who don't agree and naturally they are acting as if something like that vote is never going to have any economic or other consequences. And if you visit anyway they will be right.

Nobody is justifying bigotry. We are simply reminding people that it is widespread. Should NC residents be ashamed? Perhaps, but then the same is true of California voters. Should we boycott NC? Perhaps, but then you should also boycott California.

It is simply unfair to single out NC for what is, unfortunately, a national problem.

My friend absolutely loves the Arizona desert but won't go on vacation there anymore because of the politics.

I went to visit a relative in Asheville last year. It's quite beautiful. However, I'm not used to big signs about Gun Clubs and Gun Shows greeting me. Felt a bit strange to say the least.

I once had a boyfriend who came from NC and left it to be in NY. He was Catholic and said that in NC it was as bad to be Catholic as it was to be Jewish (I'm Jewish). That was 20 years ago. Don't know if it's changed.

"Any thoughts?"

My thoughts are that you're a chickensh** to hide behind another screenname; North Carolina'll be better off w/o you. The ~drama~ of insisting a state resolution is horribly worse than countries where homosexuals are crushed into the ground with large stones because it is "recent" makes me lol.

When you are all finished figuring out the states which do not support equality or civil rights, whether it be SSM, benefits to SSM partners the same as for "married" couples and those that severely restrict a woman's right to chose, or even those states that restrict voting rights or worker's rights to join a union, please post those states that would be acceptable to visit ... but I suspect the denial of equality and freedom goes hand-in-hand in the states and COUNTRIES where civil rights, equality and freedom is denied.

I don't have time to make such a list, but it would be helpful for those of us contempting "boycotting" specific locations, states, even countries.

If I am interested in seeing a country or a state I dont take in considerations what are the politics of these places or how the people voted in certains issues..

If these issues are the case from keeping the people going there then many people from different countries would also boycott the US then..

To say that bigotry exists everywhere in response to someone's asking if they should travel somewhere isn't a "justification?" Then just what is it?

Tourism dollars are vital to many places, and lack of them can hurt a region or state. South Dakota got an earful after some very repressive legislation, and it hurt them financially. Colorado saw a dip in tourist dollars when Maria Navatrolova pointed out some negative-to-her legislation; there are many examples. If you do not wish to spend your travel/leisure/vacation/tuition dollars in a place as a political statement or because you are offended by legislation, BE SURE to let it be known by letters to the editor, the state tourism boards, the politic movers and shakers, etc.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/26/bu...R_AP_LO_MST_FB

A very moving article from the New York Times about how one North Carolina businessman deals with it. He is quite a hero!

Oh, and by the way, Asheville is, on the whole, pretty darn liberal, and is in Buncombe County, one of the seven counties in NC that voted AGAINST Amendment One. So I guess you are morally obligated to GO to Asheville, not stay away from Asheville!

oops. Martina Navratilova.

<I>To say that bigotry exists everywhere in response to someone's asking if they should travel somewhere isn't a "justification?" Then just what is it?</I>

It is helpful information.

Presumably, the OP feels strongly on the issue. They seem to feel strongly enough to boycott travel to NC. I, for one, presume that people who feel that strongly about the issue would boycott the other states that have shown the same attitude as NC.

Heck, beachplum specifically asked for a list of states with policies similar to those in NC. I'm sure it was a simple oversight that caused her to miss the link to such a list I posted above, but clearly many people want such a list. Now, the enormity of that list is troubling, and leaves limited options for those that seek to boycott travel to intolerant states, but they clearly feel strongly.

This, of course, presumes that the boycott is driven by true concern and outrage and is not simply a case of trying to puff oneself up for simply doing what they would otherwise do. I mean, I could say I am boycotting Saudi Arabia because they don't respect human rights, but the reality is that I simply lack any interest in traveling there. I suspect those that would boycott NC, but not CA are similarly puffing themselves up.

Or perhaps the vote in regards to NC travel is something that is part of a larger set of problems one may have with that particular state. A situation which could culminate in a "just not interested" point of view.

Or you may have a destination that might have been interesting, just as the OP claims, but the vote under discussion became a final off-putting straw while CA didn't have as many strikes against it. Hard to say as a uninformed bystander just how many more strikes it would have taken.

First, I don't put US travel decisions on the same scale as foreign travel, so whatever the middle east has going on at the moment has nothing to do with it. Why would it? I would imagine mot people put domestic and international travel on a different sliding scale for a vast number of reasons.

Focusing now on the question at hand... for me, it would likely be a mix of what was putting me off vs the volume of what attracted me in the first place. And it's true that there's nothing really big I want to see in NC except maybe the coastal areas. Nice places I've heard of, but no "I've really always wanted to see..." sort of places. But in the big scheme of all the places in the world one could choose from would NC be high on the list? No, not really. For me it would be just a possible diversion if in a neighboring area. I might chose a few places to see in NC if I were in the area. But add the usual anti-gay vote onto open KKK rallies and other such impressions and picking up the trip planning books starts to feel unappealing and a bit like commiseration. Despite that most NC'ers are great people I'm sure, the higher-than-average current ookiness (rather than simple existance of) seals it for me. Not as the big gesture, but rather more like choosing the better sounding soup from the choices on has on a shelf. On the other hand, California has a large number of things that appeal. And maybe even enough to overcome the number of cons it would have it matched NC blow by blow, whereas NC doesn't have a travel bench that deep. But it still would be a lot less appealing upcoming holiday if it did.

Clifton - I have to say that you made my point better than me. You would place this vote as some sort of tiebreaker and an excuse to not travel somewhere you likely wouldn't anyway. Paint it anyway you want, but I can't think of anything so transparently self-righteous.

Much like my lack of travel to Saudi Arabia is driven by the fact I don't need to see miles of sand, your decision to "boycott" travel to NC is driven by a lack of interest. To pretend that those decisions are driven by some moral regard is dishonest.

Well, yes I did tg, but that's anecdotal. If I were traveling down the east coast - which I can totally see us doing at some point because we're bound to be on a "see America" kick someday - then normally I would probably stop off along the way in NC. I wouldn't mind seeing Kitty Hawk and Kill Devil Hills or inland at spots along the Appalachians. So if you've misinterpreted as zero interest in NC right off the bat, you're set straight now.

However, when I factor in this other stuff, then yeah, for now I'd just as soon spend the time somewhere else. Saying that it wouldn't be the end of the world to miss those places for now isn't the same thing as saying they're not worth seeing ever. After all, it doesn't take a lot of time to just go on through the state. But if you think it's not just about this one vote that makes me feel that way, there you'd be right. It can be something besides indifference or an angry boycott and events and perception can make some difference what part of the grey spectrum you fall into about a particular place.