# Calling In Gay to Work Protesting Prop 8 Through Charitable Work By Jennifer Astle | Published 2008-12-09 | Social Good Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/calling-in-gay-protesting-prop-8-through-charitable-work References: [huffingtonpost](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/08/calling-in-gay-latest-pro_n_149434.html) & [huffingtonpost](http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/12/08/calling-in-gay-latest-pro_n_149434.html) The new way to fight Prop 8; calling in gay. What is calling in gay, you may ask? A few years ago I was having a conversation with a gay friend about his frustration with homosexuality being branded as an illness. His argument was this; “If being gay means that I am sick, does that mean I can call gay?” Little did he know that he was on to something. This version of calling in gay belongs to Sean Hetherington and his boyfriend, Aaron Hartzler. They envisioned “[A Day Without a Gay](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/united-by-vanity)” to demonstrate to employers the [importance of homosexuals under their employ](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/intuit-india). The movement encourages gays to call in sick to work and then volunteer their time to a charitable cause, instead of sitting at home watching soaps. So go ahead America, call in gay! ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 2.0/10 - Activity: 51% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Social Good](https://www.trendhunter.com/socialgood) > [Activism](https://www.trendhunter.com/activism) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Call in Gay Movement:** Calling in sick to work as a form of protest and donating time to a charitable cause instead. - **Employee Activism:** Employees using their power to make a statement and promote change in their workplace. - **Social Responsibility:** Showing responsibility to causes that matter to the individual and that align with their values. ### Where This Applies - **Human Resources:** Opportunity for HR departments to create policies that promote employee activism and inclusion. - **Nonprofit Organizations:** Opportunity for nonprofit organizations to partner with companies and their employees in promoting social responsibility through volunteering efforts. - **Corporate Social Responsibility:** Creating initiatives through larger organizations that promote employee activism and support charitable causes. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Playful Pride-Inspired Candles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/prideinspired-candle.md) - [Pride Month-Focused Mixology Events](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/celebratingyou-campaign.md) - [LGBTQ-Supporting Beer Cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/alchemist-just-say-gay.md) - [LGBTQ+ Business-Supporting Programs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lgbtq-luxury-rewards.md) - [Mature Queer Drugstore Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walgreens-and-the-old-gays.md) - [Complimentary Pride Month Meals](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/deliveroo-campaign.md) - [LGBTQ+ Vodka Sodas](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gay-water.md) - [Queer-Friendly Remote Work Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lgbtq-remotely.md) - [Senior-Friendly Pride Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/seniorfriendly-pride.md)