Ford pulls a fast one: under threat of a boycott, the car company says it will no longer advertise some brands in the gay media.The antigay American Family Association The American Family Association (AFA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that promotes conservative Christian values.[1][2][3][4] It was founded in 1977 by Rev. , claiming a cultural victory in early December, called off its threatened boycott of Ford Motor Co. The next day--as this issue went to press--Ford spokesman Mike Moran Mike Moran is the name of:
The AFA AFA In currencies, this is the abbreviation for the Afghanistan Afghani. Notes: The currency market, also known as the Foreign Exchange market, is the largest financial market in the world, with a daily average volume of over US $1 trillion. threatened a boycott in May over Ford's support of gay media and causes, but after the company and some of its dealers agreed to negotiate, the AFA agreed to hold off. On December 1 it canceled the boycott altogether. "They've heard our concerns; they are acting on our concerns," said Donald Wildmon, AFA's president, in a statement. "Obviously there are still some small matters of difference, as people will always have, but generally speaking, we are pleased with the results." When first contacted, Ford referred The Advocate to the AFA statement, implying that the company had no disagreement with Wildmon's assertions. In a second conversation Moran confirmed that the company would no longer advertise Jaguar and Land Rover products in the gay media. "In all cases, we review this issue from a business perspective in regards to advertising," he said. "Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury [brands] did not advertise in gay publications anyway. At this time, Jaguar and Land Rover will not do so going forward." Ford's Volvo division, he said, will still advertise in gay publications. Moran would not confirm that any agreement had been reached with the AFA. "Some months ago we began a constructive dialogue with them, just as we do with all other customers and interest groups," he said. "While we don't agree on all issues, we expect the dialogue to continue." The AFA has also demanded that Ford stop donating to gay organizations and causes, including pride celebrations and groups such as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the Human Rights Campaign, and the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) is a nonprofit organization that supports grassroots organizing and advocacy for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender rights. Founded in 1973, NGLTF works to strengthen the gay and lesbian movement at the state and local levels while . Whether Ford will continue such sponsorship deals--in which its brands are given visibility at LGBT LGBT Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender events in return for donations of cash or vehicles or other considerations--Moran could not say. At press time, comment on Ford's announcement was expected shortly from HRC HRC Human Rights Campaign HRC Human Rights Council (UN) HRC Human Rights Commission HRC Hard Rock Cafe HRC Hillary Rodham Clinton (democratic senator/presidential candidate; former first lady) , GLAAD GLAAD Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation , and NGLTF NGLTF National Gay and Lesbian Task Force , but none was prepared to make a statement by close of business on December 2. The AFA said it reserves the right to reinstate the boycott if Ford does not live up to the agreement. [Sirius OutQ contributed to this report.] |
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