Activists (including rainbow flag-designer Gilbert Baker and UK activist Peter Tatchell, above) came out in force in San Diego, giving a face to the boycott of the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San Diego that has gained steam since April when GLAAD pulled out of a Gay Pride event that was to held at the hotel this weekend. The hotel's owner, Doug Manchester, while advertising in gay media, has also made a huge donation to support the ballot measure that would ban same-sex marriage in the state.
The AP reports: “Picketers outside the Manchester Grand Hyatt waved rainbow banners and signs reading “The ‘Hyatt' of Hypocrisy' to protest owner Doug Manchester's $125,000 donation to a group backing the November ballot measure…'(Hyatt) put so much money into advertising this hotel in gay magazines, and it's a huge slap in the face,' said newlywed Manuel Munoz, 33, who was in town from Rancho Cucamonga honeymooning with husband Ed Alberson. Munoz was staying at a nearby Sheraton. Hyatt said it took no position on Manchester's contributions to the marriage initiative. The company manages the 1,625-room waterfront hotel on behalf of Manchester's development company, Manchester Financial Group. ‘It's a personal decision of Mr. Manchester's that doesn't involve Hyatt,' said Hyatt spokeswoman Lori Alexander, who watched the sidewalk protest from the steps of the hotel. ‘His name is on the door, but it's not the views of Hyatt.'”
Rex Wockner, who shot the photo above and below, has plenty more at his site…
More than 220,000 people were expected to have attended the Pride event over the weekend. Wockner also has a look at some of the VIPS that were there.
Two websites were created to organize the boycott by a coaltiion of gay groups called Californians Against Hate. The NYT wrote up their efforts last week.
