Legal Fees, Privacy Window Tinting and Security Upgrades

Update: We've reopened donations. 11/25: We've reopened our donations due to continued harassment, bullying, and disruption of business. We are now raising funds for civil legal remedies for this ongoing situation.

11/21: The privacy window tinting is scheduled for installation on 12/5 and 12/6.

Original Description: Since 2022, we've been repeatedly harassed by a group of homophobes who are unaware the Confederacy lost the war. These guys call themselves "First Amendment auditors,” but they primarily target small businesses flying Pride flags or owned by queer folx for harassment, when they are not filming government buildings.

In 2022, they stood outside and filmed customers through the windows and carried large guns to intimidate folx. They hurled offensive slurs at customers, pounded on our windows, and asked their followers to tank our reviews and call our store and harass the staff by phone. This went on for days. We papered the windows.

They returned a day after the election this year feeling newly empowered to harass us again using the same methods as before. The primary instigator wears a confederate soldier hat and has a handful of felony convictions. Their friends continue to harass our business and another business down the street that also has a Pride flag. Again, they've returned with guns and cameras to harass and intimidate. They live in the neighborhood, so we're an easy repeat target for them.

Our only recourse is to make it impossible for them to film inside our shops from the exterior of the buildings. Due to the size and scale of our windows, we are working with a local window tint company to professionally install mirroring that makes it possible to see out from inside, but not into the shop from the outside.

We are also hoping to install an interior security system (more robust than a Ring camera) at both stores. We intend these measures to act as a deterrent for future harassment and as a way to make our customers and staff feel more safe and secure in our space. 

The cost of these upgrades, given the size of our spaces, are not cheap. A number of customers have reached out asking for a way to contribute anonymously. This is our way of providing a space for that, should anyone feel the desire to help us with the cost of these upgrades.

Our fundraising goal is $25,000+

Our window tinting quote for both locations totals $6,110. 

Security system/cameras for both locations is estimated at $1000+ for equipment - plus cost of install by our professional contractor. The install and cord fishing through the walls will be the biggest expense with this portion of the project.

Remaining donations will be used for civil legal remedies for this ongoing situation.

Once all is said and done, we will publish a transparency report showing where the money was spent.