The effort follows California voters' passage last month of Proposition 8. The ballot initiative reversed this year's state Supreme Court decision allowing gay marriage.

Tina Reynolds with Equality Action NOW is one of the organizers of the protest - called "Day Without a Gay". On Capital Public Radio’s “Insight” she said they’re encouraging people not to buy anything either.

“Don’t spend any money, have some impact on our community financially. Of course everybody else is worried about the financial dilemmas. It is doing what you can to let your neighbors, friends and family, co-workers, know that you are gay.” 

But Prop 8 supporters say, in light of the weak economy, this kind of protest is a bad idea. Randy Thomasson heads Campaign for Children and Families, a Sacramento-based group that supported Prop 8. 

“Day Without a Gay,” yeah it may sound cute. But you’re really turning off your boss and you’re turning down the American economy. So there are other legitimate ways of protest. Mostly by voting. But the voters have said that marriage is only for a man and a woman.” 

Organizers of "Day Without a Gay" are also encouraging people to perform volunteer work.