Comic and actor Billy Eichner has helped to highlight the economic crisis facing many LGBTQ people who work in the service industry.
With the ongoing spread of coronavirus, some cities and states are acting to close down all public gathering points.
Although everyone understands the importance of acting to stem the spread of the virus (which at the time of writing has been diagnosed in 182,000 people worldwide and killed 7,200), the economic impact is going to be incalculable.
Related: New York City and Los Angeles close all bars and restaurants
How about we take this to the next level?
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Where not forced to close down, some bars are staying open as long as they can. The financial implications of closing are undoubtedly one of the reasons for this.
On Twitter on Sunday, Eichner responded to a tweet calling on singer Lance Bass to shut his West Hollywood bar and restaurant (Bass did so at the close of business on Sunday – his venue is still able to offer takeout).
This is unacceptable. We MUST find a way to subsidize these workers (please tell me a reliable org to donate to and I will!) but my god if there is one community that should know the consequences of this type of crisis it’s ours. https://t.co/wEODKFNpDD
— billy eichner (@billyeichner) March 16, 2020
Responding to an image of Bass’s busy bar, Eichner tweeted, “This is unacceptable. We MUST find a way to subsidize these workers (please tell me a reliable org to donate to and I will!) but my god if there is one community that should know the consequences of this type of crisis it’s ours.”
Eichner went on to tweet a link to the USBG National Charity Foundation (US Bartender Guild), which helps out with grants for bartenders. It’s launched a COVID-19 relief campaign where people can donate or apply for help. Eichner said he was donating.
Jameson Irish Whiskey is donating to the same fund. It tweeted it was pledging $500k.
#LoveThyBartender pic.twitter.com/YaDS5yNnCj
— Jameson U.S. (@jameson_us) March 15, 2020
The charity says it is facing a huge number of applications. It also has links to similar non-profits helping those in the service industry.
The poster of the tweet Eichner was responding to was LA songwriter and activist, Justin Tranter.
Tranter went on to post a message, stating he wanted to offer more direct help: “I know how many lgbtq people make their living in nightlife. I was one of them for well over a decade. But there will be NO NIGHTLIFE for a very long time if we don’t take this seriously for the next few weeks.
“If you are an lgbtq nightlife worker who is suppose to be working tonight, dm me your Venmo I will send you your nights pay to stay home. I’m not kidding.”
He went on to later tweet, “Hi loves!!! Venmo is not letting me send anymore money, cus I’ve hit me limit. I’ll try again tomorrow. Stay strong lgbtq nightlife heroes!”
Others are also appealing for more direct help. A tweet from last week encouraging queer creatives, bar staff, those in the gig economy, sex workers and others to share their cash apps – and for “wealthy queers” to step up – has gone viral, with thousands posting their details.
if you are queer/trans and in the gig economy 💸 a sex worker 💸 in hospitality/service industry 💸 drag/nightlife 💸 freelancer 💸 working gig to gig 💸 put your venmo/paypals in this thread! 👇🏽👇🏽👇🏽 ask for help if you need it! ✨ wealthy queers, fall in!
— Fran Tirado (@fransquishco) March 12, 2020
Related: Fetish fashion brand CEO offers the words of comfort we need right now
In related news, Senator Mitt Romney – yes, Republican Mitt Romney – yesterday proposed every American should be given $1,000 as an emergency coronavirus payment.
“Every American adult should immediately receive $1,000 to help ensure families and workers can meet their short-term obligations and increase spending in the economy,” a release from Romney’s office stated, “Congress took similar action during the 2001 and 2008 recessions.
“While expansions of paid leave, unemployment insurance, and SNAP benefits are crucial, the check will help fill the gaps for Americans that may not quickly navigate different government options.”
Whether the proposals are included in future House response packages to the viral pandemic remain to be seen.
In the meanwhile, authorities are reminding people to frequently wash their hands, practice social distancing (i.e. limit the number of people you see or mix with), and to self-isolate if they suspect they have any symptoms of COVID-19. For more advice, check the guidance from the World Health Organization.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
We truly are in disturbing uncharted times…
For once the Democrats and Republicans in the house rapidly agreed on a multi billion dollar emergency relief bill. Yet right on cue that abhorrent pernicious little puke Louie Gromet prevents it from being sent to the Senate…
Some of these creatures simply know no shame…
Chrisk
Some of the hardiest hit will be many of his constituents but hey. We don’t need any of that evil socialism.
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
How long will it be before the cities of NYC, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle issue an order to cease with tenant evictions? Many of those kids are working three and four jobs just to pay rent and now for many of them at least two of those jobs they can no longer return to. This is going to get bad people. Last week there was a proposal to include a $1k check to everyone who filed a tax return. I laughed at first but now that I think about it there seems to be no other choice. If nearly the entire country is already under quarantine because of an air borne virus how do you find and treat tens of thousands of people already living on the streets in tents, cars, under freeway overpasses and such? The stench of urine and human feces is already so bad in downtown Los Angeles the streets have to be scrubbed and sanitized and once they are the same homeless tent dwellers return to their self claimed spots. Does it make sense to evict people to the streets and that type of environment over something they nor the landlord had control of? What do we do? Welfare in some form or other is now going to become a universal thing for all of us for the rest of the year regardless of stature. Businesses can’t survive without some form of government assistance and now people are going to starve without it. Disease notwithstanding grocers expect to be paid on the spot for groceries. This is a mess people and the tip of the iceberg has yet to be seen.
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Believe it or not NY has already ceased evictions…a sliver of good news for those in service industry….
Sister Bertha Bedderthanyu
I just read in the LATImes that Los Angeles is going retroactive back to March 4 on evictions. We are all suppose to get a $1k check very soon to stimulate the economy but I think I’ll hang on to mine for as long as I can.
Kangol2
Senators Booker, Bennet and Brown have proposed $4,500 instead of $1,000. The US can afford it, and if this situation lasts, as even Drumpf himself said, into July and August, a $1,000 one time check (or $500 monthly, as Kamala Harris has proposed) is not going to cut it. I keep hearing about more tax cuts, but instead, just give people, especially those who need it, the money outright. We give trillions to the banks, corporations, etc., and those who are already rich (those monstrous GOP-Drumpf tax cuts), so let’s now give something to those who are barely hanging on, especially when borrowing costs are zero AND we borrow in our own currency.
Heywood Jablowme
Billy is a class act!
cwaigy
I’m now officially in love with Billy Eichner. Funny, sexy, actor, sexy, caring, supportive and have I mentioned funny and damn sexy?
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Kangol2
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