[Darth Denkay]

The queer clubs/bars around here open and close so quickly that even if I did that sort of thing keeping up with what's what could be quite a task. As for queer-owned businesses, it's basically the same song, different verse. Sadly, the one exception is a - I don't know, a rainbow store plus lots of other gay-themed items. The owner regularly hits on the under 18 patrons - not getting my business.

As for professionals - doctors, lawyers, plumbers - I go by reputation. In the past I've used three queer professionals without asking around - dentist, realtor, and florist - and gotten horrible, overpriced service from each. If I get good recs about a queer professional then I'll give em a try. But I won't give any professional my business without good recs.

Here's the thing. If I hire you for a service then I am hiring you for your ability to do the work well and for a reasonable cost. I really don't care who you sleep with. I get flack around here because I go to a United Methodist church - not anything specifically gay about it, and I don't support the local gay churches. I don't go to church because I'm gay, I go because I'm Christian. I've checked out the gay churches and frankly there is simply too much focus there on being gay. It's not what I'm looking for in a church.

I guess the bottom line for me is that I use a professional or business based on merit. If I lived somewhere where gay-owned businesses really were a reality, then yes, I would probably at least check them out. But no, I don't give someone my business just because they are queer.