Ford pulls ads from gay media facing AFA boycott
Tuesday, December 6, 2005
Facing a threatened boycott from the American Family Association, Ford Motor Company pulled its advertising from gay publications early this week. The American Family Association (AFA) quickly claimed a cultural victory after Ford made the decision. The AFA was threatening to boycott Ford because of its previous support for certain gay civil rights associations, such as the Human Rights Campaign, and advertising in the gay media in publications such as The Advocate.
In June, the AFA announced that it would postpone a boycott when Ford agreed to negotiate with the organization. The negotiations were organized by Ford Executives Ziad Ojakli and David Leitch, both of whom previously held important posts in the Bush White House.
"They've heard our concerns; they are acting on our concerns. We are pleased with where we are," said AFA’s chairman Donald Wildmon. "Obviously there are still some small matters of difference, as people will always have, but generally speaking, we are pleased with the results—and therefore the boycott that had been suspended [is] now officially ended."
According to the AFA’s Web site, the list of demands included that Ford and all of its brands stop donating money, merchandise, and endorsements to 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. HRC, GLAAD, and the Task Force are expected to release statements by close of business on Friday.
The AFA ended in May what is considered a largely ineffective nine-year boycott of The Walt Disney Co. The boycott had been launched over its holding of gay-related events at its theme parks and for giving employees with same-sex domestic partners benefits equal to those with other-sex partners.
Sources
edit- Allie Martin and Jody Brown. "Pro-Family Group Cancels Boycott of Ford Motor Co." — AgapePress, December 01, 2005
- Virginia Citrano. "Ford to remove some ads in gay publications" — Forbes, December 06, 2005
- "Jaguar, Land Rover ads halted in gay media, Ford confirms" — Advocate.com, December 05, 2005
- Larry Buhl. "Anti-gay efforts target Ford, Wells Fargo" — Planetout.com, December 05, 2005
- Gene Stone. "Ford Fumbles with Phobias" — The Huffington Post, December 05, 2005
- John in DC. "Ford exec who brokered secret deal with gay-haters caught leading the charge for Bush's extreme right Supreme Court nominees out of his Ford office" — AMERICAblog, December 05, 2005