$2 bill rocks Indiana

A local group hopes that circulating lots of $2 bills in Indiana will shed light on the state’s troubling anti-gay sentiment and demonstrate the economic power of the state’s gay and lesbian community and its supporters.

People from Rock Indiana Campaign for Equality ordered bills from banks and began spending them two weeks ago. They’ll continue doing so through the summer. Most banks can get customers the seldom-used bills by special order.

“We are receiving feedback from all over the state — from South Bend to Evansville — that businesses are noticing; that comments are being made at grocery stores, restaurants, gas stations, home improvement stores and on bus services,” said Pepper Partin, a Rock Indiana organizer. “Businesses are realizing that they are taking money from people who may leave Indiana if we do not collectively take a stand against discrimination and special-interest driven government.”

Rock Indiana Campaign for Equality urges everyone who believes in equal rights to participate in the $2 bill campaign by replacing their common denomination bills with $2 bills. “Money moves people in a way that protests don’t,” said Marti Abernathey, steering committee chair of Rock Indiana. “Most people understand the value and strength of money. We need to show how much of an impact our spending power has in Indiana. Using $2 bills is a way to do just that.”

According to organizers, the protest comes in light of the anti-gay sentiment prevalent in the 114th General Assembly and in Indianapolis-Marion County City-County Council’s refusal to add sexual orientation and gender identity verbiage to the Human Rights Ordinance.

Representatives of Rock Indiana say that organizing against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) citizens has become big business for special interest groups that have infiltrated the government.

Pepper Partin

“Because of the vast discrimination that is being wielded against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Hoosiers, we feel it is important to send a message to businesses that GLBT citizens are not only consumers, but tax paying consumers and that we contribute to Indiana’s economy,” Partin said. “We can easily take these powerful dollars to another state where special interest groups such as Eric Miller’s Advance America do not have a stronghold on the state, city and county governments.”

The $2 bill saturation period began April 25, but grass-roots organizing started several weeks prior. They say that by the time they rolled out the campaign, protestors had already ordered a supply of $2 bills. “People all over the state were eager to participate,” Abernathey said. “Our Constitution has taken a beating over the past few months and many people across the state want to take a stand with one of their most powerful weapons: money.”

For more information about the $2 campaign visit www.2dollarbillcampaign.com or contact Rock Indiana Campaign for Equality at rockindiana@gmail.com.