Vile Homophobic Bigotry "Grows" Well in Houston ...

[MarkTwain]

Originally from: http://www.queerty.com/queer/news/an-antigay-co-grows-in-houston-20061019.php#comments

An Anti-Gay Co. Grows in Houston
More of a weed than a flower...

We received an email from a few people last night detailing how a gay couple tried to get some work done at their house through a company called Garden Guy, Inc. based in Houston.

Here's the reply they received:
From: Garden Guy Inc
Date: October 18, 2006 9:08:36 AM CDT
To: @houston.rr.com
Subject: Cancel Appt -Garden Guy

Dear Mr. ,

I am appreciative of your time on the phone today and glad you
contacted us. I need to tell you that we cannot meet with you because we choose not to
work for homosexuals. Best of luck in finding someone else to fill your landscaping needs.

All my best,
Sabrina
Todd and Sabrina Farber
Owners, Garden Guy, Inc.

visit us at: Garden Guy, Inc
Member of the Association of Professional Landscape Designers
Creating beautiful landscaping for Houston homeowners since 1991!

- SNIP -

"All my best"? Pretty cheery for a discriminatory sign-off, don't you think.? Anyway, do what you will with this information. Whatever it is, make sure it's creative.

_____________________________________________
From their website: www.garden-guy.com

The God-ordained institution of marriage is under attack in courts across the nation, and your help is needed. Go to: www.nogaymarriage.com to take action.
http://www.garden-guy.com/about.html

____________________________________________
Ironically, these pleasant god-fearing, loving christians have a forum on their website which, surprisingly, has been quite active the last twenty four hours. Although, the links to it have just recently been removed from their main website .... surprise:

http://216.30.130.70/cgi-bin/yabb/gardenguy/YaBB.cgi

____________________________________________
The fine christian family, from their own company website, Pity the poor kids.

"Todd Farber, President of Garden Guy, Inc. has owned and operated his company since 1991. Todd has a BS in Horticulture from Texas A&M." .... Hmmmm. Go Aggies! ?

[ruggerson]

1. These people are foul, disgusting pieces of garbage n/t

[ellenfl]

2. i avoid religious vendors. i grow orchids and there is

a local grower that has religion on their website. i don't buy from them because i don't appreciate the proselitizing.

boycott that vendor and get all your friends to also. when i lived in houston in the 80s there was quite a large gay community. spread the word and let the fundies have that vendor.

i don't have any snappy rejoinders so i can't advise you on a response.

ellen fl

[moc]

14. The gay community in Houston is still very large.

I have several gay friends who live there and have for a long time. I plan to spread the word.

I'm so embarrassed this jackass is an Aggie. :puke:

[midnight]

46. This is what I don't understand.

why is this discrimination tolerated? I attended a seminar with a co-worker. She is religious and so am I. She took a different seminar from me and meet another women who shared a cab with us. The women was smart and funny, and I found nothing offense about her. My co-worker expressed her concerns that this women was gay. I said that it really didn't matter. Do these people that being gay is contagious?

[moc]

56. They have some very crazy ideas for sure.

My husband's 25yo nephew came out 3-4 months ago. (My response was, "come out? you'd have to be living under a rock not to know the kid was gay", but I digress.)

A lot of dh's family are fundies. His sister is an evangelical, and after hearing the "revelations" regarding her nephew, she asked dh if being gay "was like an addiction." :eyes:

Dh told her, "No! He was BORN THAT WAY!" :banghead:

[midnight]

60. As far as I'm concerned it is no one's business. We as a

Country need to become educated that we cannot be in charge of other peoples orientations. What we do have control over is more important and that is making sure our Country does not go financially bankrupt. I know there are lots of other issues. Please add to the list.

[youthere]

61. He should have said:

"Not as addictive as ignorant bible-beating is"

[MarkTwain]

50. That was my thought...

... as well. Anyone who knows A&M, knows that there are a lot of gay alumni that would not be pleased with their fellow alumnus, at all. What a cretin.

[Mr_Spock]

20. Same here

I've sent email to vendors who have religious crap on their web site.

I like your products, too bad I can't buy from you because of your non-welcoming religious views.

[ellenfl]

40. the funny thing is that whenever i see this vendor at a show,

the person at the table is usually the rude guy! i don't like buying from people who are rude to me either.

ellen fl

[Mr_Spock]

64. lol - the guy was rude when I simply expressed my objection

to his right-leaning religious views on his website, then offered me free product!!??!! to "show he was a good Christian".

I laughed and said I will not sell out my values for merchandise!!

These folks are full of bizarre contradictions that I don't want to deal with.

[ccpup]

3. I guess one could report them

to the Better Business Bureau. If they were saying they don't work with Blacks, Hispanics, Asians, etc. wouldn't that be some sort of legal issue? Perhaps it may be for gays/lesbians/transgender? I'm not sure, but their stupidity shouldn't go unpunished or unreported.

[Change has come]

10. Send a black or hispanic gay couple

then the can complain of racial discrimination.

[marmar]

13. If you sent a black or hispanic gay couple...

Those people's heads might explode. :nuke:

[TexasLawyer]

4. Evangelicals fear the loss of their children...

Suddenly clear why this is happening. I wouldn't want to hang around with these hate-mongers any longer than I had to.

http://www.nytimes.com/2006/10/06/us/06evangelical.html?ex=1176609600&en=b29752956653649f&ei=5087&excamp=mkt_at3

[bullwinkle428]

16. EXACTLY! They are afraid their kids might be "turned gay" - I've

encountered this attitude at other sites I spend time at, which are unfortunately not Freeper-free, and it just sickens me to the point where I've dropped my classic "Make sure you check under your bed for 'queers' tonight before you go to sleep!" If I can piss off just one of these cave-dwellers each day, well, I think I've done my job!

[Clark2008]

41. Wonder if they ever considered that they're "losing" because

they're too judgmental, restrictive and, well, against the real teachings of Jesus (love thy neighbor)?

:shrug:

[MarkTwain]

69. So true, great article...

... unfortunately, one look at that picture of their "family," you can pretty well discern that those kids are lost to reality until they wake up at 25 and realize what vile bigots their parents were.

[theHandpuppet]

5. This is what you get when discrimination is legal

And until you're on the receiving end of this bullshit you really don't get it. Gay people have to put up with this crap every damned day. Now someone tell me that gay rights are just a distraction or a "side issue". GAY RIGHTS are HUMAN RIGHTS!

[ninkasi]

21. Exactly!

"Gay rights are human rights." That's what it boils down to. Treating gays as second class citizens is immoral, as far as I'm concerned. There is already too much hatred in the world, we don't need any more of it. I wouldn't let that group anywhere near a garden of mine.

[kestrel91316]

6. I am bad. I emailed them:

Dear Garden Guy:

You need to amend your home page to clarify your position on providing services to sinners. Be sure you mention how you won't provide services to those who consume shellfish, those who wear fabric blends, and those who sleep with menstruating women, in addition to not providing services to gays.

You want to be sure you follow God's laws to the LETTER, now. Wouldn't want anyone to be mistaking you for some milquetoast Christlike wimp.

Yours in Christ,
(kestrel)

[ComerPerro]

9. Also, they shouldn't have a website, not in the Bible

And why are they running a for profit business?

Not very Christian, if you ask me...

[Change has come]

11. Nice

especially...Yours in Christ

:rofl:

[Liberal In Texas]

28. LOL! n/t

[fudge stripe cookays]

33. Brilliant!

(as they say in the Guiness ads...)

:rofl:

Personally, I think we should put them on every mailing list in the nation, in addition to getting them a yearlong paid subscription to the Advocate!

[wicket]

34. AWESOME response!!!

:yourock:

[ellenfl]

42. excellent! eom

[terrya]

43. Excellent response!

That is just simply superb. :thumbsup:

[Coexist]

47. THANK YOU.

That was wonderful.

[marmar]

7. That's vile...

And I look at that picture, and see those kids being raised and brainwashed with that bullshit. I'm going to call that business tomorrow (even though I live nowhere near Houston) and say, "I was going to ask you for a landscaping price quote, but I don't do business with bigots."

[theHandpuppet]

8. Here's a song that seems appropriate for this family

"You've Got To Be Taught" from South Pacific
by Rodgers and Hammerstein

You've got to be taught
To hate and fear,
You've got to be taught
From year to year,
It's got to be drummed
In your dear little ear
You've got to be carefully taught.

You've got to be taught to be afraid
Of people whose eyes are oddly made,
And people whose skin is a diff'rent shade,
You've got to be carefully taught.

You've got to be taught before it's too late,
Before you are six or seven or eight,
To hate all the people your relatives hate,
You've got to be carefully taught!

[marmar]

12. Great lyrics....

The only South Pacific song I'm even vaguely familiar with is the one that begins with "One Enchanted Evening....", but "You've Got to Be Taught" is spot on. As are these from the song "7 Seconds" by Youssou N'Dour and Neneh Cherry:

And when a child is born into this world
It has no concept
Of the tone the skin it's living in
And there's a million voices
And there's a million voices
To tell you what you should be thinking
So you better sober up for just a second
7 seconds away
Just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting
It's not a second
7 seconds away
Just as long as I stay
I'll be waiting
It's not a second
7 seconds away

[MazeRat7]

15. I wonder when their server will stop accepting posts ?

It took mine, but is suffering under the load. Something tells me the site wont be up after tomorrow.

MZr7


edit: Oh yeah... K&R so others can "express" their feelings as well.

[Synnical]

17. This post just made my stomach turn. n/t

[sweetheart]

18. Sam Houston was gay

The Alamo was a homo-erotic sexual encounter that lasted for days
before the mexican army showed up... and just in time to stop Houston
from creating an army of perverts that would, 100 years later, mass murder
a million people by bombers of gross stupidity.

[moc]

19. Read the forum. The homophobes are being

raked over the coals!

[REP]

31. Some Terrific Responses

I hope this is a legitimate one, because it rocks!

Dear Mrs Farber,

It has recently been brought to my attention that your company is one that does not do buisness with homosexual's and wanted to say thanks for sharing with the general public the true charcater of your company. As a general contractor and being married to a landscaper we find ourselves networking continuosly in hopes of helping others and of course growing our equal serving opportunity buisnesses. We take note in your view and will share this unfortunate information with our contacts,

Regards
Gabe Espinoza, Owner - Bayou City Renovations

[Chulanowa]

22. Woah...

Wonder what the rest of their family pole looks like.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

23. Hmm.....self-defense mechanism?

Maybe Todd has been accused of being a fag by his redneck Bush-loving Texas buddies for being into "flowers" so he has to prove his manhood. What an asshole AND a pretty stupid businessman.

[Dragonbreathp9d]

24. I emailed the nogaymarriage site:

I headlined it "I am a Devout Christain and I am troubled..."

and heres the rest:

by YOU. You disgrace the name of Christ by using His name in order to push you biggoted beliefs, and you disgrace me by associating yourself with Christ as I do. Jesus would have smiled upon anyone who loves another, and never once does he condemn homosexuality. He preaches acceptance, peace, love, and tolerence, something you all have obviously overlooked. Do you actually BELEIVE this CRAP that you spew on your website? Honestly? There is absolutely nothing wrong with homosexuality, how could it be as God created them that way? And if you say it is a choice then I have a story for you... its about a young Christain who realizes he is gay in his teens, and hates himself so much he tries to kill himself, then turns to drugs, gets off of them, goes to alcohol, until finally he accepts who he is and has been sober for 22 (or maybe 23) years. He is my cousin, he and his life partner are some of the most caring, loving, nice, God-fearing individuals I have ever met, their compassion for other human beings astounds me.
Gay marriage should be allowed. That is true equality, and what Jesus would want. If you disagree, reread the New Testament.

--- Your Brother In Christ
-Jonathon

[McCamy Taylor]

25. Um, Houston is a very gay city. These people are losing lots of work.

Gays in Houston should probably look for gay landscapers, dont you think? I am sure that there are plenty. Why help the breeders make more of themselves?

[donheld]

38. That's probably why they're homophobic

Most of the good landscaping is done by gays and we steal all their business.

[DemoTex]

57. My first thought too. There is lotsa money in Montrose.

I used to live on Montrose Blvd. (near downtown Houston) and had a lot of very wealthy gay friends in the area: Doctors, lawyers, pilots, and petro-executives. These people had money to spend and very high standards for design and decor.

The gay network will avoid these homophobes. Ironically, the fundies in the 'burbs generally do not have the money or the discriminating tastes to seek the services of really good landscapers or designers.

[canetoad]

26. and another thing

their landscaping stinks.

Prissy, uptight and regimented. I wonder why.

[Jed Dilligan]

36. I wonder why people pay him

Any jackass with a pencil and a napkin could come up with those "designs."

[Bluebear]

27. 10 to 1 the goateed guy hangs out at the Montrose Mining Co.

and doesn't want to get "made" by a client.

[Binka]

32. 10 to 1 That's Why The Beard Keeps Making Babies

Really good cover. For awhile. Somebody is gonna out Todd soon.

[wicket]

49. It's like clockwork

Why is it the biggest homophobes always seem to end up being gay themselves?

[Liberal In Texas]

29. Texas. Geeze, I live here and sometimes I'm so embarrassed because of

other fools that happen to also live here.

We're not all like that.

The best thing to do is to not do business with these Neanderthals. And make sure you tell them why.

[MonteSano]

30. Homophobia in Texas?? Who woulda thunk it?

[Bridget Burke]

55. I'm glad that you come from a state with NO homophobia!

Which state is that, please?

(Houston has a really big Pride Parade every year.)

[wicket]

35. Their forum was shut down in the past hour!

It was working an hour ago, and there were a flood of complaints in there about this company's bigotry. The forum is now not working:

http://www.garden-guy.com/forum.html

[donheld]

37. They have a phone number

281-208-4400

[wicket]

39. Thank-you

I sent this story to Andrew Sullivan too.

[CoolOnion]

44. If you're straight, boycott.

Let them know you don't do business with homophobes.

[theHandpuppet]

45. Christianity is a big business these days

How to turn a buck and be blessed for your bigotry all at the same time!

(Just a sampling)
http://www.christianebuy.com/
http://www.christianet.com/
http://a.abcnews.com/WNT/Business/story?id=1503742
http://www.shepherdsguide.com/
http://christiandirectory.info/
http://www.gbnworld.com/
http://www.timothyplan.com/?gclid=CKaz8IHih4gCFU5xFQod8BAL9Q
http://www.christianstaffing.org/?gclid=CIyzlpTih4gCFRyPFQodXwbz9A
http://www.christianregistry.com/Privacy.asp
http://www.exodusnetwork.com/?source=Google
http://www.thebest25sites.com/christian-business/
http://www.botcw.com/

Yes, what Jesus really wants is for you to use His name in order to turn a buck! BTW, while you're touring this Twilight Zone of links, check out some of the articles posted on the last link on the list, such as:

I KILLED OSAMA BIN LADEN
Aug 24, 2006
In the early morning hours of August 19, 2006, Osama Bin Laden was killed by a local citizen, Earl Darling, of Cortlandt Manor, New York. The US army and its allies had been searching for Bin Laden in the Middle East for years. What they did not know was that Bin Laden had disguised himself as an average citizen and was living right under our noses in the USA. Here is the ground-breaking news in Earl Darling’s own words.

God save us from Islam and Europe!
Aug 14, 2006
In a real way, it is not the United States, but Israel that will now lead the war against Islamism. It could appear that way, until you recognize that Iran and the United States are fighting by proxy through Lebanon and Israel. Israel is certainly on the frontlines in the "war against terrorism." However, it is Europe who will soon lead the charge.

Tribulation ,The Last Days, And The Believer
Jul 26, 2006
The world is indeed careening closer to Armageddon. There is no doubt. Not only do we have enemies abroad, it seems within this nation, people hate each other. In California, Mexican radicals are saying something to the effect that we "don't know how radical they are". These groups openly avow their Mexican heritage. That is not bad at all. The problem is they want to erase whites and the American's government's hold on California and related states.

[The Stranger]

48. The real underside and truth behind all of the "good Christian" facade.

Even Satan himself was standing on stage next to the Virginia "Macaca" Bigot running for governor saying what "good," "Christian folks" they are.

But the brass knuckles inside that velvet glove is not so nice to see, now is it?

Compassionate Conservatism and Christian Fundamentalism are White Supremacy with a bright, White, shining face.

[Puglover]

51. This from their forum

"You just know that Todd is riding the baloney pony while Sabrina is at those Women's Temperance Union meetings.

It's only a matter of time before she comes home early one day and...

:rofl:

[Puglover]

52. You can still read their forums

http://216.30.130.70/cgi-bin/yabb/gardenguy/YaBB.cgi?board=rose;action=display;num=1161213225;start=15

[theHandpuppet]

53. Methinks Mr. Farber has manhood issues

These folks should also be contacted! Do they know about his bigoted business practices?
http://www.sugarlandtoday.com/features/Landscaping.html

Is Todd Farber one of the "Jews for Jesus"? I don't know, but I found this 1985 item from the Jewish Herald (Houston): http://www.texsys.com/Her005.html
1985 May 23 (Pg 21 Col 4)
        Chad Farber, son of Manette and Arnold Farber, and brother of Scot and Todd Farber, will celebrate his Bar Mitzvah on Friday, May 31, at 8 p.m., and Saturday, June 1, at 10 a.m. at Congregation Beth Yeshurun.
        Chad is the grandson of Ruth and Harry Schnitzer and Jean and Leonard Farber, all of Houston.
        Char Farber is twinning his Bar Mitzvah with Evgeny Ozerov, from Leningrad, Russia. Evgeny's parents are Valery and Olga Ozerov.
        Chad and his family cordially invite family and friends to join them in celebrating this happy occasion.

Mr. Farber, the horticulturalist, is also a big name in Texas boar hunting. No prissy sports like ice dancing for Mr. Farber! No doubt, like his idol Dick Cheney, Farber grabs his big ol' gun and takes his boys out to shoot at whatever moves in his direction. http://boards.tx-outdoors.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9976

You have issues, Mr. Farber.

[donheld]

66. "Mr. Farber has manhood issues" and I'll bet his wife knows it

She keeps him away from gay clients because they're both afraid he'll go over to the "dark side." I feel so sorry for those kids.

[Rocknrule]

54. Michael Moore should drive the Sodomobile to this guy's business

[wicket]

58. OMG, that would RULE!!!

:rofl: :rofl:

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

59. I went to michaelmoore.com and gave him a heads up. -nt

[lonestarnot]

70. bbbbwwwwwwwaaaaaaaa. Honk Honk.

Sodomymobile. :rofl: Dude cracks me up.

[wicket]

62. kick

:kick:

[wicket]

63. Houston Chronicle article on this:

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/metropolitan/casey/4274630.html

[donheld]

65. Why don't they refuse to do business with all sinners?

:shrug:

[theHandpuppet]

71. Bizarre response by the writer of the article

"Were I posting, I would commend the Farbers for standing by their principles in an age where money trumps all.

"They might, however, consider climbing up one more rung on the moral ladder.

"They should refuse to do business with all sinners."

So are we to assume that the writer considers being gay a sin as well?

[AspenRose]

67. Wish I could say I'm surprised

I went to A&M. The campus is full of people like that. *heavy sigh* I might have been attending around the same time as this guy. I can tell you that while I was there, some students were arrested for killing doves out of season, crucifying them and hanging them on a protest shanty that Students Against Apartheid had propped up to increase awareness regarding the struggle. These 'fine, upstanding' students also spray-painted "there will be no peace until all N****** are dead" on the shanty. THAT was the atmosphere when I was going to school then....so this guy's attitude doesn't surprise me in the least.

But I am quite ashamed....and angry. :mad: Might as well have said, "...we choose not to work for black people." Basically the same thing.

'Sorry, your money's not green enough.'

What is WRONG with people?!

On the up side, the couple in question might want to consider themselves lucky these folks chose not to take the job, and risk being 'preached to' on how 'evil' they are by the company employees 24/7. :shrug:

[ruggerson]

68. kick n/t