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Loading ...McDonald’s Caves In To Anti-Gay Group Demands
10.10.2008 1:05pm EDT
(New York City) The American Family Association is calling off a boycott of McDonald’s after the fast-food giant agreed to end its support for the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
In addition, a company employee appointed to the chamber’s board of directors has resigned.McDonald’s incurred the wrath of the AFA after it made a $20,000 donation to the chamber, and Richard Ellis, who until last month was vice president of communications for the chain, was named to the chamber’s
board of directors.
The company at first resisted AFA’s demands that it sever ties with the chamber. In a July response to the conservative group that fights LGBT issues nationwide, McDonald’s Global Chief Diversity Officer Pat Harris said: "We have a well-established and proud heritage of associating with individuals and organizations that share our belief that every person has the right to live and work in their community free of discrimination."
But now in an e-mailed memo to franchise holders, the company said it has dropped ties with the chamber.
"It is our policy to not be involved in political and social issues. McDonald’s remains neutral on same-sex marriage or any ‘homosexual agenda’ as defined by the American Family Association."
Richard Ellis is no longer with corporate headquarters. He is now with the company’s Canadian operation.
The e-mail said that Ellis stepped down from the chamber’s board "voluntarily."
"We appreciate the decision by McDonald’s to no longer support political activity by homosexual activist organizations," the AFA said in a statement to its members calling off the boycott.
The AFA previously boycotted Disney for several year’s over its support for Gay Days at Disney World, although the company was not an official sponsor of the event.
It boycotted Cincinnati-based Proctor and Gamble over the company’s support for the repeal of a city charter amendment that prevented Cincinnati city council from enacting any laws that would recognize gays and lesbians.
The group boycotted Kraft for its support of the Chicago Gay Games and threatened to boycott Wal-Mart over its involvement with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
The boycotts resulted in little impact on the companies.
The AFA boycott of Ford was heralded as a success by the organization which noted that it had resulted in a drop in sales and share value. But most financial analysts said that Ford’s problems were really the result of vehicle designs that failed to impress the public.
The conservative Christian group launched a nationwide boycott of Ford in 2005 over the automaker’s support for LGBT issues, briefly put it on hold, and then reinstated it.
The AFA claimed victory when Ford began pulling its ads from LGBT publications, but industry observers and the company said the ad pullout was part of a downsizing of expenses.
I say the GLTB community needs to stop all business at McDonalds. If they can not surport us then we should not surport McDonalds with their fat greasy crap.
Oh, I really hope that the HRC stays away from this. The HRC is nothing more than a political oriented fundraiser for the HRC. As long as this remains an issue of normal gay and lesbian folk, there is more of a chance the complaints will be taken seriously.
Generally, once a large GLBT organization, such as HRC, gets invested in this, they organize a very large email campaign and the corporation goes back to equality.
Here is my letter of protest to McDonalds. You can goto mcdonalds.com and choose your contry, then use Contact Button and select the Corporate EMail Form.
“In regards to McDonalds recent caving into the AMA boycott demands and
rejection of association with the GLBT Chamber of commerce, I am compelled to
personally respond.
In your press release your company states:
“It is our policy to not be involved in political and social issues.
McDonald’s remains neutral on same-sex marriage or any ‘homosexual agenda’
as defined by the American Family Association.”
If this is the truth, why did McDonalds cave into the AMA demands? The AMA is a
Political and Social group who have decided to brand millions of americans as
‘Satanic’ ‘Evil’ and worse than ‘murderers and thieves’ Some of their members
have called for the public execution of our LGBT community.
McDonalds has sided with a corrupt, fear-mongering hate organization and tossed
fairness and equality for it’s workers and customers under the bus.
Because of this, I will no longer support or purchase a single McDonald’s
Product until someone in your corporation has come to their senses.
Do you not understand the historical implications of siding with a Hate group
for the sake of profit? Sometimes Human Rights are more inportant than the
bottom line. Fortunately, other companies who have fallen under AMA’s wrath &
have NOT CAVED will continue to gain my respect and business.
Living in an area where nearly 50% of our city population falls into the LGBT
category, I can forsee your franchisee suffering from your calamitous decision.
I am definately Not “liking it!”
Go to it, Boys and Girls!
*** From Advocate:
Following AFA Boycott, McDonald’s Exec Leaves Gay Group
The antigay American Family Association has ended its five-month boycott against McDonald’s after a company executive resigned from a gay and lesbian business group, reports the Chicago Tribune.
Richard Ellis has stepped down from the board of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and the AFA claims it’s because of the stress it placed on the Oak Brook, Ill.-based company. The AFA claimed that by participating in the gay chamber, McDonald’s wasn’t remaining neutral “in the cultural war over homosexuality.”
But a McDonald’s spokesman says Ellis left the chamber because he recently left his post as vice president of U.S. communications for an executive position at McDonald’s in Canada, and the gay chamber is a U.S. association. Though not officially caving to the AFA, a McDonald’s spokesman distanced the corporation from the gay group.
“Richard’s decision to be a member of the board was a personal decision, not a company decision,” Jack Daly, McDonald’s global chief communications officer, told the Tribune. Daly added that McDonald’s is not a member of the chamber and that the company, which was previously a sponsor of the gay group’s fund-raising gala, has no plans to be a sponsor of the event next year.
According to the AFA, McDonald’s e-mailed franchise owners with the following message: “It is our policy to not be involved in political and social issues. McDonald’s remains neutral on same-sex marriage or any ‘homosexual agenda’ as defined by the American Family Association.”
The AFA’s website carried the message “We appreciate the decision by McDonald’s to no longer support political activity by homosexual activist organizations. You might want to thank your local McDonald’s manager.” (Neal Broverman, The Advocate)
“WATTLES” WILD-MAN WAS *LYING*
(surprise, surprise).
Here’s the press release from GLCC:
Statement by the NGLCC Regarding the AFA and McDonalds
10/9/2008
The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) exists to foster relationships between major corporations and businesses owned by LGBT people and to ensure a fair and equitable workplace for all Americans. The NGLCC does not lobby on the issue of same-sex marriage. The NGLCC’s number one legislative priority is access to quality and affordable healthcare for our business owning members. The mandate of the NGLCC is to foster strong businesses, and not to pursue individual political agendas. In these trying economic times, now more than ever, the NGLCC is committed to ensuring our member businesses continue to be a strong and vibrant part of the small business engine that makes the U.S. economy run.
Like all our corporate relationships, McDonald’s USA has been a good partner with the Chamber. There has been no discussion between the NGLCC and McDonalds regarding continuing membership, nor has the NGLCC been notified of any move not to renew our work together. The NGLCC will continue to align with corporate America in support of equal opportunity for all of America’s workers and small businesses. For more information about the NGLCC, please visit http://www.nglcc.org.
Cheers,
Bud
All the time I read news like that makes me upset and disappointed, mainly because I came from a different country (Brazil). It’s sad to see that a respected country like the US has tiny little heads like this dude Don Wildmon (founder of AFA). The biggest disappointment is towards those big companies that bend over to AFA’s demands. I would like to know where the CEOs keep their balls, if they have any. The country in this right moment does not need religious fanatics, what we need are men with balls that can stand up for the people, embrace all as a nation and stop the craziness. We need leadership, peace, growth. Out with the bullies, the bigots, idiots, the egocentrics.
Geez, I never knew so many “Fundies” munched on the horse meat burgers at McDonalds. Shame on McDonalds for caving into a well-heeled bigoted group of crazed so-called Christians. What next at McDonalds? The Ten Commandments Burger? Loud speakers asking patrons to bow their heads and say grace before downing a Big Mac? Signs with pictures of Jesus saying “No fags allowed here?”
To Rev Dr Wayles,
Preach it brother. Your words have been my message all along. One’s CHOICE of religion does NOT grant them a superior moral or ethical position above any otherperson or group. In fact, the religiouz fanatics somehow think they are granted a license to do many UNGODLY and UNHOLY acts, in the name of one who simply would never condone never be caught in their presence. What ever happened to humility and respect from the religious clergy and their congregations? Their “conversion” seems to have turned them into a MOB, with a deadly mentality.
Leave me to my life, and I will leave them to theirs, but DON’T TREAD ON ME! I (We, that is) must have my (our) rights too!
why do you think they call them McNuggets?
Tragically, the American Family Association is listed as “Christian group.” They are engaged in an activity with which Jesus, founder of their faith and their boss, was always in conflict: excluding those at the margin of society (the little ones).
The fact that McDonalds caves to the whims of these folk is sad, indeed.
The air is leaking out of the tires of the Christian Right Wing bus. They will continue to attempt damage, but history is against them. The Christian Right has never been right.
Wrong in saying the earth was flat. Wrong on dismissing science, including evolution. Wrong on Slavery issue – Right wing was pro-slave. Wrong on declaring the races to be unequal because of God’s design – and punishment of the black race!! Wrong on declaring women to be ‘inferior’. Wrong when they forbade innoculations against disease. Wrong when they forbade blood transfusions. Wrong when they burned gay people at the stake. Wrong when they burned intelligent women as ‘witches.’ Wrong when they forbade transplants of organs. Wrong when they resisted civil right for African Americans. Wrong about being against women’s right to vote. Some that many right wingers are still wrong about: Wrong about forbidding women’s ordination. Wrong about folks being glbt as ‘choice’ rather than something that is discovered or revealed.
Wrong about being able to influence people into being gay! Wrong about the way they read gay lesbian issues into the Bible. Wrong about so called ‘reparative therapy’ to make gay people straight! Oh, yes, and wrong about boycotting McD’s for helping those at the margin.
We need to help Mc Donald’s to regain their original proper perspective.
Their caving to AFA is a political issue. I don’t want McDonalds to have to undergo the embarassment that those business supporting ’segregation’ had to face.
Rev Dr Steve Wayles
Okay…now that I have had a few minutes to cool off….and grab a second cup of coffee…Yes, I do have a temper. And yes…there ARE most certainly more important issues facing us as a country and as a world society than who McDonald’s corporate is in bed with, so to speak. Honestly…I’d rather eat at home anyway, since most fast food is by nature, not healthy. Nor is it Diabertic Friendly, for the most part. But one thing it is (that as a full time returning college student I cannot find at home) is convenient. Nevertheless…McDonalds needs to remember that just because we are gay does not mean that we don’t pay attention. I venture to say there are many with Mcdonalds corporate who don’t agree with this policy. And what about their workers in general? Yes, I know it’s unrealistic to believe that boycotting can make a difference where one’s rights, individual freedoms and dignity are concerned…but then it’s people have been fighting, and winning, unrealistic fights throughout history.
And I know it seems odd, with all that’s going on in this world lately that it should take something like this to make me proactive. But, better proactive over something like this than not active at all.
From now on, I’ll be making my voice heard. I’d suggest everyone worldwide do the same. And not just over something like a bunch of fast food biggots and cowards, but over anything concerning rights and freedoms.
I don’t consider myself a ‘political’ person. I believed that evryone should live and let live…still do—to an extent. THIS, however, has just pushed me to my breaking point. I have every right to live and enjoy the same freedoms as any other person on this planet. To have some exclusionary, narrow-minded group of self-righteous bigots proclaiming they know what’s best for families and to have such a corporation as McDonald’s do what they’ve done…I’m PISSED OFF! NOT taking it anymore. I’m going to begin a boycott campaign of my own. Watch out AFA and McDonald’s…You wanted press,; you’re going to get it!
McDonalds food is not healthy and the fundies can eat as much of it as they desire! Splurge on it! Eat as much of it as you can handle. In a few years, Equality will take care of itself, if you know what I mean!
What a joke. “It is our policy to not be involved in political and social issues. McDonald’s remains neutral on same-sex marriage or any ‘homosexual agenda’ as defined by the American Family Association.”
Doesn’t get involved on political and social issues????? LOL! What is it they are doing bowing to the AFA’s demands? They threaten a boycott and McDonalds cracks under the pressure. They are bowing to the AFA’s Political and religious agenda. Give me a break McDonalds, supporting fellow business people or organizations should be a companies right. McDonalds wigged out. I hope every person boycotts them. It’s time to let us all be respected and get along. We all pray for world peace and we can’t even respect others in our own country. McDonalds should be ashamed of themselves for buckling under to the AFA.