Harrah's Hotel and Casino Pleads for Gay Rights on Economic Grounds

The Harrah's chain of Las Vegas casinos and hotels has written a letter to Nevada's legislature warning about a potential loss in gay tourism if Gov. Gibbons vetoes that state's pending domestic partners bill.

In a letter to lawmakers, Harrah's Senior Vice President Jan Jones said that Nevada must compete with other destinations for the growing gay and lesbian business and that there could be a "negative economic impact" if the bill does not become law.

"Our state cannot afford to lose any more revenue to other destinations because of a reputation as a place which is not socially or politically the right place to do business or to vacation," Jones stated in the letter, dated Tuesday. Gays and lesbians have the highest disposable income of any segment of the population, according to Jones. "Our company does aggressive marketing to this community," Jones said Wednesday. "How can we say to them 'we want your business, but we don't care about your rights."

Honesty is the best policy, and diversity is the right thing to do. Harrah's has accomplished both with this letter of support for the Nevada domestic partnership bill, which the governor promises to veto.

Send Harrah's Hotel and Casinos a thank you letter for supporting LGBT customers in Nevada and for their overall ranking and awards by the Human Rights Campaign.

Crossposted via Joe My God.

Nevada Governor Pledges to Veto Domestic Partnership Bill (TAKE ACTION)

Nevada Gov. Jim Gibbons (R) has promised to veto the domestic partnership bill. His spokesperson Daniel Burns has said that:

"The governor believes that government has no business in your medicine chest or your bedroom"

He also believes there are existing contracts that can be created, so no change to the law is needed. If there are people who want to be domestic partners, they can do so under existing laws.

He is also mindful of the fact that voters of this state on two occasions have said that marriage is between a man and a woman, and it's part of our Constitution."

It is unfair to deny domestic partners equal rights, and create legal obstacles for partners to obtain the same rights when it comes to estate planning, family planning, and medical decision making.

To contact Governor Jim Gibbons:

State Capitol
101 N. Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 684-5670
Fax: (775) 684-5683

E-contact form

The good news is that there is word there may be enough votes within the state senate to override the Governor's veto. It is imperative Nevada residents contact their senators to urge for passage of senate bill 283.

Nevada Governor on Domestic Partnerships: "I Don't Believe In It"

Republican Governor Jim Gibbons of Nevada has vowed to veto legislation that would give some of the rights of marriage to same-sex couples through domestic partnerships legislation.

Asked about the measure now under consideration in the state Senate, the Republican governor says he would reject it if it reaches his desk because, “I just don’t believe in it” (Tahoe Daily Tribune).

Contact the Governor and urge him to support equality for LGBT people.

State Capitol
101 N. Carson Street
Carson City, NV 89701
(775) 684-5670
E-Contact Form

Lake Tahoe? I don't Think So.

An Avalanche of negative reaction has hit The Incline Village General Improvement District after this North Lake Tahoe, Nevada resort town voted last month to rescind health care insurance benefits to domestic partners of its employees.

According to Incline Village General Improvement District financial research, the move to take back domestic partnership benefits will only save the district about $1,500 in expenses, the estimated amount the district would pay through the end of the fiscal year, which ends June 30, 2009.

The district board will review their actions on March 11th, but whether they take action to reverse their decision is unknown.

Lez Get Real and other LGBT activists are calling for a boycott of Lake Tahoe until the district reverses this discriminatory and unnecessary position.

Contact page for Incline Village Development.

H/T to Lez Get Real for breaking the story.