Alabama

TexasTowelie

(116,491 posts) Tue Mar 17, 2015, 10:01 PM Mar 2015

Anti-Gay Bigotry In Alabama Costs University $15 Million, Because Republicans Are Jerks

The University of Alabama is feeling the pain inflicted on the state by anti-gay Republicans after a longtime gay couple and former alumni reconsidered leaving the school their $15 million estate.

Elliott Mitchell and Clark West had planned to bequeath their $15-$18 million fortune to the university upon their deaths. They met at the college in 1972 and are season ticket holders for Alabama Crimson Tide football games.

After being together for decades, the pair married in 2013 in Hawaii and made their home in Florida. Despite the constant bigotry in Alabama, Mitchell and West have been very loyal to their alma mater, having donated millions to the school. But their charity came to an end two years ago.

The duo wrote a letter to UA President Judy Bonner and the university board of trustees in 2013 explaining that continued discrimination against the LGBT community in the state made them reconsider their priorities.

“We understand the conflict of well-intended people struggling to find balance with this issue. But, we also realize there is no support in the legislature or initiatives at the University to create a dialogue. Instead, there is a very strong and continued effort by the state and the majority of its citizens to exclude this group in every way possible.

You are welcome to share our situation with anyone you believe will be helpful in encouraging Alabama to provide equality to all its citizens. You have done it before and you can do it again. We do not want anything from you, just a recognition that all decisions have consequences.”

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Anti-Gay Bigotry In Alabama Costs University $15 Million, Because Republicans Are Jerks (Original Post) TexasTowelie Mar 2015 OP

Alabama, the "Make Me State." yallerdawg Mar 2015 #1

yallerdawg

(16,104 posts)

1. Alabama, the "Make Me State."

Reply to TexasTowelie (Original post)

Tue Mar 17, 2015, 10:14 PM

Mar 2015

From your link:

Ever since the ruling, conservatives have refused to honor it. Instead, they are choosing to be on the wrong side of history and are fighting for a bigoted and hateful society. And because of that, Alabama institutions are beginning to pay a steep price. Perhaps it’s time for an all-out economic boycott of Alabama. Maybe that will finally make conservatives do the right thing. (my edit bold)

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