Beyond DC

Gay T-Shirts In Windows A Problem For American Apparel

Posted by Amanda Hess on Jul. 21, 2009, at 6:16 pm

legalize

A local vandal may have found an antidote for the “Legalize Gay” T-shirts that have popped up in American Apparel window displays around the D.C. area—eliminate the window.

When Kassandra Powell arrived for work at the Silver Spring American Apparel store yesterday morning, she was met with a crowd, a police car, and a broken window. “I was told that the [security alarm] went off at 5:15 a.m.,” she says.

Powell, a store manager, had reason to believe that the early-morning glass-shattering was more than your average retail break-in. Nothing was stolen from the store—including the anti-Prop-8 t-shirts prominently displayed on the opposite side of the glass.

This morning, the Georgetown American Apparel location experienced its own attack from an upset window shopper—this time, over the telephone. Around 10:30 a.m., visual merchandiser Walter Reed fielded a call from a male who was “enraged for no reason.”

“He was like, is this the Silver Spring location? And I said, ‘No, this is the Georgetown location, ‘” says Reed. “He said, ‘You have some Legalize Gay shirts in the window there.’ He said that he and his friends found it offensive, and that if we didn’t take them down, they were going to break it—the window,” said Reed. “I said, ‘Is that a threat, Sir?’ And then he hung up.”

When Reed called the Silver Spring store to inform them of the threat, he was told that the location had already received the more forceful warning about its window display over 24 hours earlier. Then, Reed informed the police of the telephonic follow-up.

Reed was doing more than helping a sister store out—he personally assisted the Silver Spring location in styling its pro-gay display. “I helped do the windows there just last week,” says Reed. “I know there was a Gay Beach shirt right there in the window.”

For now, Reed’s handiwork has been temporarily disassembled. “I took it down because of the threat,” says Powell. “It’s not because we’re trying to comply with their demands or anything—we just don’t want a broken window.”

UPDATES:

American Apparel Windows Will Stay Gay

American Apparel Employees Receive Death Threats

American Apparel “Legalize Gay” Vandalism Inspires Support, Security

Tags: American Apparel, broken glass, Georgetown, Legalize GAY, Prop 8, proposition 8, silver spring, vandalism

Comments

Steve O. July 21st, 2009
9:20 pm

#1

I bet it was a Tyrone on the other end of that phone.
Rick July 21st, 2009
10:11 pm

#2

Actually, it looks like the company isn’t pulling the displays and they’re going to do a bunch of Legalize Gay ads in DC. I remember seeing one a few months ago.

http://www.americanapparel.net/presscenter/dailyupdate/dailyUp.asp?d=48&t=1807

Terrorism is a strong word for this, but it’s still using intimidation against those with different political views, and it sucks.
KG July 22nd, 2009
1:19 am

#3

Actually Rick, terrorism is the correct word for this. An act of terrorism is the threat of violence or intimidation to support one
paul July 22nd, 2009
1:34 am

#4

terrorism is terrorism no matter how you slice it
Rob July 22nd, 2009
2:34 am

#5

Steve O., what?? That comment is as bigoted as what the vandals did.
Chris July 22nd, 2009
3:54 am

#6

Thanks for giving in to their demands.

Not.

A broken window is a small price to pay for equality. Id burn my house to the ground for it.
Jolly Brenna July 22nd, 2009
5:04 am

#7

America! Get rid of your morons!

THIS SUCKS!

Love NORWAY

(btw: did I tell you we are out of the financial crisi?)
tired July 22nd, 2009
5:05 am

#8

I’m tired of homophobes. They say they’re offended by the anti-prop 8, pro-gay crowd … well, I’m offended by them and I’m not gay. Can’t we all just get along. Geez.
Tucan Sam July 22nd, 2009
6:24 am

#9

Chocolate citttaaaaay!
elle July 22nd, 2009
7:02 am

#10

I”m starting to get tired of this: people have got to stop being homophobic and start legalizing gay marriages and fully accept gay people so I would STOP hearing them complain !!!!!! this is not the most important issue in this world, it’s not the cure for cancer or anything, you people are so selfish
S* July 22nd, 2009
7:24 am

#11

Americans are so prude, and a lot are offensiv by so many stupid, non-relvant things.
This would never happen in Europe..even in the more conservative countries!
USA is said belonging to the ” Western world”…yeah right!!
Get educated and open ur poor mind!!
It was first the indians, then the blacks and now gay people..whats next?
U trully represent the stupid american cow boy from the west : clue-less and talking like crap!
Solo July 22nd, 2009
8:09 am

#12

Right authoritarians who imagine they are righteous for forcefully imposing their beliefs on others are more dangerous than any of the acts they rail against. They’ve somehow twisted the very doctrines they claim to believe. And how hypocritical is it to hate homosexuality while supporting illegal wars and other humanitarian disasters their own govt is causing. Sick, sick, sick.
Obamas_Teleprompter July 22nd, 2009
8:57 am

#13

Good. Next time I hope the place is put out of business for good. Take your “rights” somewhere else. There is nothing right in being a FREAK.
TiffanyMarie July 22nd, 2009
9:03 am

#14

this is disgusting.im heterosexual but I have been a supporter for gay rights since birth. I am only a teenager but I will be contacting elected officials because this is ridiculous. Those guys are such cowards that is why they did not do it when people were at the store.
Drew July 22nd, 2009
9:17 am

#15

“This would never happen in Europe..even in the more conservative countries!”

Well, the Germans DID sort of invent this whole thing: i.e. the night of broken glass. I don’t think we need to compare countries to say that something is wrong, full stop.
Mike July 22nd, 2009
9:31 am

#16

S* please stop rehashing the old “this would never happen in Europe”. Gays are brutally repressed in Poland and Russia and receive harsh treatment in many other Eastern European nations. Homophobia and violence know no borders.
CrypticHill July 22nd, 2009
9:40 am

#17

Well thats just great, take it out of your window because you dont want a broken one… Well looks like they won!
liz July 22nd, 2009
9:42 am

#18

Oh, that is such CRAP! These a-holes need to understand that people need to live their lives as they want to. No amount of window breaking, bible thumping or homophobic outrages are going to stop the movement for equal rights for everyone.
CuzHeSezSo July 22nd, 2009
9:46 am

#19

WWJD? Well, He wouldn’t break a window or call in terroristic threats! Jesus was never a coward in addressing matters. He never vandalized anything, and He never skulked around under the cover of darkness to show his revulsion or disapproval of anything. Lest people think this is the work of “Bible thumpers”, the overwhelming majority of anti-gay attacks come from non-Christians and Christ haters.
JJB July 22nd, 2009
10:10 am

#20

it’s good to see that the DC police followed standard DC Police procedure: do nothing.
DontbotherreplyingIdontcare. July 22nd, 2009
10:12 am

#21

i think its a bit harsh to imply that because they are putting these shirts in the window that they are imposing anything on anybody or forcing your belief on someone. We live and in a country where people can dish it, but can’t take it. Nobody claims that that you are imposing on them for being what you call “normal” You live your life, you fight for what you believe in.

Because a Gay does it, and wants people to know what they feel they are imposing/ forcing? I think not, as a straight women, I feel as if once you pay taxes, you need to be treated like everybody else.

Is it fair that Gay’s Pay taxes, but can’t do what they want, or live they why they want? Leave thier assets to the ones they love? I think its hypocritical, and seems like Civil Rights error is replay. Child Pedophiles seems to have more freakin rights then Gays do. What people do behind closed doors is none of your f*cking business period.

People make me sick, calling out Gays and Marriage, while saying its not Godly. When Gays seem to take Marriage alot more serious then the straights, who have high divorce rates. Nobody is saying they want to be dripping with crosses while walking down the alter. They just want the same rights, people need to wake up and quit the non-sense, and stop trying to call them out.
Chad July 22nd, 2009
10:14 am

#22

That’s pretty harsh S. I say that the US is immoderate because you do have ridiculous things like this happening, but most people I know are more comfortable with gay people and issues than a lot of people were in France. I have no complaints about how I was treated coming out in a suburban Philadelphia community, and while I don’t think race relations are perfect in this country, they don’t look any better from what I’ve seen in France. People there whispered to me about les arabes, mentioned to me that the Jews run the country here in the US, and my host mother said that moving to a liberal city doesn’t allow you to find a social circle free of homophobia, which is possible here. Take a little bit of a closer look here before you condemn the whole country and insist that everything about us conforms to all of your negative stereotypes. When you do that you’re stooping to *our* level.
KB July 22nd, 2009
10:15 am

#23

Front of T-shirt: Criminalize ignorance
Back of Tshirt: Sodomize window breakers.

I’d buy one.
suger July 22nd, 2009
10:39 am

#24

As a DC citizen i think its time to go buy a Legalize gay Shirt!
Chad July 22nd, 2009
10:45 am

#25

That’s pretty harsh S, and I’ve gotta tell you, anyone who has any idea what they’re talking about is going to have a slightly more nuanced view than yours. I stayed in France twice, once for a month and once for 5, both times with French families. The first time I thought it seemed perfect, beautiful, open-minded, and lacking the racism and class inequality that we have here in the US. Now that I’m older and wiser I saw what happens in the French suburbs, I heard what the nice man across from me on the train said about les arabes (and what he said about American Jews when I defended the Arabs), and I got turned away from a club when I was with Algerians. I’ll be the first to admit that race relations here aren’t perfect, but they’re definitely no better in France. Also, liberal American cities are overwhelmingly pro-gay and comfortable with gay people. I’ve never had a problem coming out in my hometown in the Philadelphia suburbs and having long-running jokes about dating my straight male friends. My second French host mother, a dancer who has many gay friends and colleagues, tells me that finding a social circle without homophobia isn’t as easy there, and let’s not forget the skin-heads that can be found in the more conservative European countries. Yes, there are a lot of stupid people in this country, and yes, many of them are very loud and vocal about their stupid views, but from what I’ve seen, you’ll find plenty of people here who are at least as open-minded as your average European, probably more.
Katie July 22nd, 2009
11:12 am

#26

As someone from Silver Spring, I’m really surprised, disappointed and disgusted. Silver Spring is an incredibly diverse area – arguably one of the most diverse areas – where people can comfortably be who they are. This store is located in a center point of the town where this diversity merges. Please do not take this act as a representation of the area, but instead the act of an incredibly narrow minded, vengeful individual. I wish this never happened, but I think that’s even more reason for us to literally wear our heart on our sleeve. And I am happy to read the update that they will not be removing the display and are increasing their ad space with this message. We cannot quiet ourselves just because these people know how to break a window. If anything, we should speak louder. Don’t be afraid to stand up for what’s right!
Q July 22nd, 2009
11:31 am

#27

Breaking the window does nothing but generate more attention to the cause. The best thing for the T-Shirt protestors to do is to NOT BUY ANYTHING from American Apparel or simply protest in front of the store during store hours. Breaking a window after hours is cowardly.

From an ideological stance, it is better for the store to keep replacing the window than to cave into pressure from extremists. Doing so serves two purposes: 1) It shows that intimidation via vandalism isn’t sustainable and 2) Any person filled with that much hate isn’t thinking clearly and will undoubtedly get careless and get CAUGHT!
Kimberly July 22nd, 2009
11:33 am

#28

Actually Elle, the only selfish person here is you, you want this to stop because it annoys YOU (your own words, not mine) not because a group of people are being bashed and discriminated against every single day. This got to stop because is ridiculous and moronic, not because it will shut gays up. And there are far more important issues in the world…right…such as? Yeah let me guess, “world hunger”. Pathetic. Im glad Im living through this social revolution though, just like the black community fought for their rights decades ago homosexuals are doing it now, and they have my support.
nofagsallowed July 22nd, 2009
11:37 am

#29

pray the gay away!
Q July 22nd, 2009
12:15 pm

#30

Amanda, there are blog problems. It shows 32 listed comments but is says 43 are posted.
Jon T. July 22nd, 2009
12:33 pm

#31

Please keep putting up the window displays……even if it means having a window broken daily. Fighting for rights can always get ugly. Continue the Equality!!!!
kb July 22nd, 2009
12:34 pm

#32

S* stated “USA is said belonging to the
Tom A. July 22nd, 2009
1:21 pm

#33

Maybe a grammarian vandalized the shop, since one cannot “verb” an “adjective,” no matter how cute and “hip” it may seem.
Q July 22nd, 2009
2:04 pm

#34

Tom A., “Gay” is a noun now, didn’t you hear? Maybe the issue is that “Gay” was not plural as in “Gays”.
knuckstable July 22nd, 2009
3:22 pm

#35

don’t worry there’s already a better solution for being gay. it’s called AIDS.
skaz July 22nd, 2009
3:54 pm

#36

They should put up a display twice as big.
A July 22nd, 2009
4:26 pm

#37

By taking the display down you ARE complying withe their demands. Stand up and be proud – don’t let homophobic bullies win!

I love you American Apparel for being a forward-thinking company!
Jakub July 22nd, 2009
6:18 pm

#38

LEGALIZE MARRIAGE FOR SAME-SEX COUPLES NOW!
Colin July 22nd, 2009
6:36 pm

#39

I’m more disappointed that American Apparel will receive heaps of good publicity for this than I am that this was an instance of hateful vandalism.
Dave July 22nd, 2009
6:38 pm

#40

Criminalize vandalism!

Where are the shirts to support store owners’ rights?
mdesus July 22nd, 2009
7:10 pm

#41

quick note jesus definitely vandalized the shit out of the temple in jerusalem. He was (rightly by the laws at the time by the way) put to death for starting a riot, and destroying money changers stalls in the temple.
Jason J. July 23rd, 2009
11:27 pm

#42

The day I heard of this I drove right to the Silver Spring store and shopped. In my opinion, this was one of the best ways to defeat this act. Often times it’s with our wallets that we make the biggest statements, I encourage you all to do the same. God bless,

Jason J.
James Smith September 3rd, 2009
8:08 am

#43

Amerian Apparel is not a liberal company. Seriously, type “anti American Apparel” into Google and read…
spirit2 September 9th, 2009
1:26 pm

#44

Some of the comments here are breathtakingly ignorant and psychologically violent. If you believe that you can “pray gay away” or that AIDS is the “cure” for homosexuality, then you need to step away from your computer and do some soul searching. Hating gay people is easier than being comfortable in your own skin and living in harmony with all people regardless of their differences. I pray for a cure to heterosexism and homophobia. I pray for a cure for ignorance.

I bet you anything that most of the posters on this blog are not sitting in a mansion in Beverly Hills or a penthouse in Manhattan. I bet most of you are working class folks -maybe some artists and students, but mostly regular people. When will people wake up to the fact that supporting all minority causes, women’s causes, gay & lesbian, bi-sexual and transgender rights is in the best interest of most Americans no matter what walk of life you come from?! The bankers, insurance companies, corporations and social elite are playing us, getting us to fight over crumbs and stupid t-shirts while they ratchet up the profit-machine, slowly chipping away at the once legendary American Dream of earning a living wage, owning a home and retiring with dignity. Think about it, folks. It is cowardly and stupid to hate anyone -especially if it is not in your best interests -as a citizen and a human being.

Go back to school. Read books. Try some therapy. Talk to people who seem to know something about how to live with an open heart. Talk to a pastor or priest or rabbi. Befriend someone who is gay, black, lesbian, transgender, disabled, poor, latino, asian, of mixed ancestry, adopted, etc. When we love difference, our lives are enriched. When our eyes are open to beauty, the universe blossoms.
PromoTshirts October 20th, 2009
1:11 pm

#45

I think they should have left the display up. By stepping down to any threat, large, small or violent, you’re giving it power. You’re validating their authority (which they don’t actually have).

‘Legalize Gay’ indeed.

I just did a blog post on a cute gay rights t shirt I found today. Thought some of you might like it promotional-t-shirts.com

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