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(New York City) The American Family
Association and Focus on the Family have ended a boycott of Proctor & Gamble
over the company's advertising on gay-positive television shows and in the gay
press.
The boycott began last fall when Cincinnati-based
P&G maker of Tide, Crest and dozens of other consumer products announced it
supported the repeal of a city charter amendment that prevented Cincinnati city
council from enacting any laws that would recognize gays and lesbians. (story)
The amendment, which was approved by voters in
1993, was subsequently overturned at the polls in November.
A P&G executive was given a leave of absence
to run the repeal campaign. The company gave $40,000 to the campaign, and
rebuffed demands from conservatives to publicly support an amendment to the Ohio
constitution to ban same-sex marriage. The amendment was approved by
voters.
Following the election AFA and FOC said they
would continue the boycott because of P&G's continued advertising on such
shows as Will & Grace and in the gay media.
This week, the conservative groups declared
victory.
“Judging by all we found in our research, it
appears that our concerns have been addressed,” said Donald Wildmon, chairman
of American Family Association.
“Insofar as we can tell by our monitoring,
P&G has stopped their sponsorship of TV programs promoting the homosexual
lifestyle, such as ‘Will and Grace,' and they have stopped their sponsorship
of homosexual Internet sites.”
According to AFA, P&G had spent over $8.2
million in only six months last year to advertise on “Will and Grace” and $2
million for spots on “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy.”
The company also heavily advertised last year on
internet sites such as 365Gay.com. dried up.
A P&G spokesperson insists there has
been no change in company policy.
Bravo says that the network and P&G still
have an advertising relationship for "Queer Eye" and are working on a
new ad campaign. P&G ads also continue on "Will & Grace"
although it is not clear if they were network placements or local ads.
Nevertheless, AFA says that nearly 400,000 signed
pledges to boycott the corporation.
©365Gay.com 2005
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