An Arkansas newspaper remains under siege by activists intent on forcing it to change a long-standing policy that is negatively impacting same-sex couples. What started out as a simple request by a reader has gained the attention of media outlets across the state, and the interest of people around the country.
As Yahoo! News first reported on Monday, Cody Renegar and Thomas Staed asked the Northwest Arkansas Times to print a wedding engagement announcement and photograph of their impending June wedding/committal ceremony. The newspaper routinely prints similar notices for other couples in their Sunday edition for a $10 fee. Renegar was told by newspaper employees that their announcement would not be printed.
“We run announcements for marriages that are legally recognized in Arkansas,” said editor/publisher Rusty Turner.
After the engagement story appeared on Yahoo!, Renegar said that he has heard from people all over the United States. More than 2,000 people have signed a petition on Change.org calling for the newspaper to change their policy regarding same-sex announcements.
Local activist Jay Phillips said he was not surprised by the outpouring of support Renegar and Staed have received.
“This is the front-line in the war for equality in our nation,” Phillips said during a Wednesday telephone interview. “The biggest victory regardless of whether or not the newspaper changes its policy…is that people are talking about it…that’s half the battle to gaining change…you’ve got to break the ice before you can stir the water.”
NBC-affiliate KNWA reported on Tuesday that the northwest Arkansas residents were becoming actively involved in the issue. After airing two interviews with Renegar, the stations’ web site became a rallying point for supporters and opponents of same-sex marriage, often igniting heated online debates.
Rogers resident Chris Faulkenbury, 32, said he joined the debate to support the couple because ignorance needs to be confronted in an intelligent and direct manner.
“I’m from northwest Arkansas and up until a few days ago, I was proud to call this my home…now I’m ashamed of it,” he said.
Faulkenbury said he is an openly gay man and has never been unfairly treated. He said the issue isn’t about gay rights, but rather it is about human rights for everyone.
“This affects me because I’m a human being, not a gay human being,” he said. “I want to be afforded the same rights as everyone else…not different rights or special ones…and that’s what (Renegar and Staed) deserve too.”
In addition to the online petition, local gay rights and community activists staged a BUYcott of the local Backyard Burger franchise in Fayetteville, after the restaurant pulled its advertising from the Northwest Arkansas Times over their policy.
When contacted by telephone, restaurant manager Justin Eaton said that his location had been exceptionally busy all day, but that he was not authorized to speak on behalf of the company.
“I had lunch there today and they have had quite an increase in business,” Phillips said. “Their parking lot was jammed and they were running out of stuff.”
The issue has drawn the attention of Hollywood as well. On Monday, actress/author Dee Wallace (ET: The Extraterrestrial, Cujo) said that love is what people should be seeing here.
“Basically, from a spiritual point of view, anyone that embraces and enhances love in the world is what 2012 is all about,” she said. “Someone has to remind all of us that love doesn’t have a ‘look’. It is, simply, the truth.”
Film producer Gary Lane said his latest movie, Hollywood to Dollywood, in which Renegar is featured, discusses southern acceptance of issues that challenge the social norm. “We made a movie that shows how the south is at least 30 years behind the rest of the United States…this is another example of the ignorance that should not exist in 2012.
“Cody and Thomas are personal friends of mine and they are quality people,” Lane said. “They deserve the love they share and the right to share it with their community.”
Phillips said he had spoken with the newspaper’s publisher on Wednesday, but no policy change had been announced. “There are no villians here,” Phillips said. “(Newspaper editor/publisher) Turner is not a bigot or an evil man, he’s just doing his job and defending the paper’s policy.”
Representatives from the Northwest Arkansas Times were unavailable for comment on Wednesday afternoon.
Renegar said the outpouring of support has been “phenomenal” and he was encouraged that change was in the air. “Thomas and I are just so appreciative of everyone who has listened,” he said. “It’s just amazing what people can do when they work together.”