Spotty response to ‘call in gay’ day

A daylong work stoppage during which employees were encouraged to “call in gay” to express support for same-sex marriage drew spotty participation nationwide Wednesday, with some gay rights activists praising the concept but questioning its effect.

In San Francisco’s gay Castro district, residents and merchants said they endorsed the message behind “Day Without a Gay” but didn’t think a work stoppage was practical given the poor economy and the strike’s organization.

“If we are going to make a huge impact and not be laughed at, then we have to take the time and make the time to communicate with all the parties,” said David Lang, a gymnastics coach. “In theory it’s a great idea, but it’s being done wrong and now that it’s been done wrong, I don’t think it will be done again.”

The protest, which a gay couple from West Hollywood organized through the Internet, was designed to demonstrate the economic clout of same-sex marriage supporters following the passage of voter-approved gay marriage bans in California, Arizona and Florida.

Washington

Georgetown left $75 million gift

Georgetown University has received the largest philanthropic gift in its nearly 220-year history from the estate of an alumnus from New York.

The gift announced Wednesday from Robert L. McDevitt’s estate is estimated at $75 million. It will fund an endowment for faculty positions emphasizing disciplines that reflect McDevitt’s Catholic faith and interest in science and technology.

McDevitt, who died on Sept. 22, owned and operated funeral home in Binghamton, N.Y., and was a longtime investor in IBM.