What is Fagbug?
On the 11th annual National Day of Silence (April 18, 2007), Erin
Davies was victim to a hate crime in Albany, NY. Because of sporting
a rainbow sticker on her VW Beetle, Erin's car was vandalized, left
with the words "fag" and "u r gay" placed on the hood and driver side
of her car. Despite initial shock and embarassment, Erin's decided to
embrace what happened by leaving the graffiti on her car. Erin took her car, now known worldwide as the "fagbug" on a 58-day trip around the United States and Canada, and filmed a documentary about her experience. Along the way, Erin discovered other, more serious hate crimes, had people attempt to remove the graffiti, and experimented with having a male drive her car. After driving the fagbug for one year, Erin decided to give her car a makeover. The fagbug documentary is scheduled to have its worldwide premiere January 2009 and has been sent to over 100 film festivals around the world. Fagbug will have its theatrical debut in NYC and LA by September to qualify for the 2009 Oscars. Below are the official selections and awards the film's received so far:
I saw your car the other day with my friends and I just started laughing and cracking up... We were even walking behind you to go take a picture of your car and making fun of you without even realizing you owned that car... It wasn't until recently I saw your website and slide show that I saw the change you were trying to make, especially in people like my friends and I. I felt horrible after it, I wanted to cry. I hope you can forgive me. I'll support you as much as I can, and hope that you'll keep on going on.
With Erin out spreading the message of tolerance, love and acceptance she has run into an issue. She has stopped being Erin, human being, and has become Erin, the Fagbug girl. Now while most of you know that what she's doing is so majorly important, but it is coming at the cost of herself, and her life. She recently blogged about not being able to talk on the phone to her mom for 5 minutes, without being bugged, excuse the pun. SO I've decided that because Erin can't afford a second car, for her to drive on her just Erin days, she needs someone to help her. After all that she has done for the LGBTQ community and in fact this country to help spread her message, someone needs to help her back. So this bulletin is for all those people who have been harrassed, or picked on, ridiculed and laughed at for being different, for being gay or lesbian, for being themselves, and made to feel like you're inferior in some ways, to help Erin continue her good fight that she does in your name, or someone you know's name, or someone you thought you knew. Please help me, help Erin, help yourselves and the cause that Erin has worked so hard for. I want to help her, but I need you guys to help me. I propose that we raise the money for her to buy a car. Maybe not a new one, but a different one, that Erin can drive and be Erin, not the Fagbug girl. My goal is $5000. Please send a check, money order, what ever you can to: Dawn Condon 40 Morgan Ave Apt 1 Oneonta, NY 13820 Make checks payable to Erin Davies, and write For Deposit Only on the back. That way you know that I'm not just cashing them. Some people won't send money cause they don't know that it will get to her. She is one of my living heroes and deserves my help. So I'll take whatever I can get, even if it's only my own $10. Thank you all!
If you are quick to take offence, then you'll be under the control of those who you find offensive. If you are easily angered, then your actions will be dictated by those who anger you. If you are obsessed by what other people think, then you will be imprisoned by their thoughts. If you yearn for easy answers and quick solutions, you'll fall prey to people who offer you nothing but promises. If you find the truth too difficult to bear, you'll be enslaved to those who tell you what you want to hear. When you have the courage to think for yourself, the strength to accept what is, the commitment and discipline to make a difference, then you are free. You are truly free to live with purpose, joy and fulfillment. Let your life be defined, not by reactions to what others do, say, or think but rather your own unique vision. Raise your eyes above the pettiness and follow the path of greatness that is within you.
thanx 4 the add... stumbled across ur amazing story while lookin up things on Buggys... Since im getting 1 this week i just went and ordered a FAGBUG sticker for it =]... I'm straight and i support LOVE!<3
YOOOO i live in watervliet i seen u gettin on 787 the other day i was like what the fuccccc kinda gay ass car is that. WOOOOOO get r done fag bug style
