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American Family Association Ends Boycott of Ford Over "Gay" Ads
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The boycott started two years ago, when the AFA called for its members to stop spending money with Ford and its brands, which include Volvo, Jaguar and Land Rover. The association, which cites religious and moral principles for its anti-gay stance, said a Ford boycott would force the company to disavow contributions to gay groups like the Human Rights Campaign, which Ford had supported.
The AFA declared victory -- but Joe LaMuraglia, our colleague and the founder of Gaywheels.com, calls the AFA's rationale for the end of the boycott "laughable."
"AFA's claim that they were responsible for Ford's sales decline is so laughable that I don't know what to say," LaMuraglia blogged on his site, which informs users on the gay-friendly status of various automakers. "It is akin to me taking responsibility for all of Saturn's sales growth because they sponsored us at a Gay Pride event. Their boycott may not have helped Ford but it was by no means the primary reason they've fallen on hard times."
LaMuraglia said that the Ford ad cuts were a result of big losses, not political pressure, and cited a letter from Ford public relations on the matter that said the company was "committed to treating everyone fairly and with respect, including our dealers, customers and employees....Difficult business conditions in recent years have reduced our overall spending across the board."
What triggered it all? LaMuraglia says it may have been Ford's relationship with the HRC and a promotion that directly linked the company to the organization. "As a gay man, I thought the idea was great. They were clearly supporting our community," he says. "As a marketing professional, I thought it was risky move that clearly hit the nerve of the AFA. All they saw was that Ford supported HRC and HRC = gay marriage. Can you say controversial topic?"
Speaking of controversy, we want to know what you think of the role of auto companies in supporting gay causes - but we strongly recommend you keep the discussion civil, otherwise we'll have to block you, as the commercial goes. Talk to us in a comment below.
Responses (24 total)
By Richard O. | Posted: Apr 10th 2008, 11:45:34 PM
God is no respector of persons and it rains on the good and bad alike.
I think the AFA is way out of line to boycott Ford. Regardless of what Ford was supporting. Bringing Christianity into politics is wrong.
I have no respect for the AFA, nor would I tolerate them telling me how to live my life. They're no better than an Dictatatorial government.
By Chris D. | Posted: Mar 17th 2008, 01:10:46 AM
Though I am familiar with the boycott, I know little about the AFA as an organization; nonetheless, I find it obvious as evidenced by the comments here that religious bigotry is alive and well. Like most Christians I oppose gay marriage, but I certainly don't believe that makes me a hateful person nor do I harbor any ill will towards gays. We have to agree to disagree in this area, it's that simple. This country's moral foundation was built on Judeo-Christian values. You can disagree with it all you want, but ad-homenum attacks on Christians, Christian groups or "bible-thumping haters" is useless and is meant only to silence others by labeling them. As Lawrence stated, we are trying to salvage what's left of a value system that we believe built a great society. You can disagree with us with all of your heart and might and that's fine, but the labels and vitriol have no place in this debate. I love Ford Motor Co., and because of the profit motive I'm not surprised to see them support ANY legal cause or group if it means an increase in sales, so I don't take it personally. On the flip side however, Ford should know when they get into these hot-button debates that there are going to be those whom are offended by their stance and will be pushed away from buying their products like the AFA and their members.
By Lawrence | Posted: Mar 16th 2008, 05:43:28 PM
I don't see AFA as haters or judges. I see them as folks who are just trying to salvage what's left of a value system that built a great society. Standing idly by while the principles and institutions of that great society are toppled one after another, is done at our own peril.
By Scott Brauer | Posted: Mar 14th 2008, 11:39:19 PM
AFA= People with way, way too much time on their hands!
By DanDetroit | Posted: Mar 14th 2008, 05:57:01 PM
True Christians promote, and strive to live by values such as love, acceptance, forgiveness. The Bible says "Judge not, lest you be judged."
By Leigh | Posted: Mar 14th 2008, 05:10:37 PM
I always find it interesting when religious people use the bible to justify discrimination.
If I said "A pink elephant on a bar stool told me that he had a bad dream last night." You would ask "where is this elephant so that I can see him?" My answer is "he's gone now".
This is just like religion: there is no way for me to prove what I saw and heard, and there's no way for you to disprove what I’ve said. The pink elephant and the bible are very similar.
Lets all try to think for ourselves and not live our life by what a 2,000 year old book says. All Discrimination, such as skin colour or sexual preference - is wrong. Period. The AFA’s stance on Ford made me WANT to buy a Ford and I don’t like Ford’s. And I'm not homosexual. Nothing I do in my straight world affects someone who is not straight, and vice versa.
Try the enclosed link or go see Marin Sheen on Youtube (just type his name). You'll see a clip from his TV show that covers what the bible says. I dare anyone who says gays will go to hell to think for themselves after viewing this.
Religious people do, but should not take the part of the bible that they like and ignore the parts they don’t. (such as what is in the Martin Sheen link). It’s either all or nothing when justifying what you say to others
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-2_LqOS3uo
By Wayne K | Posted: Mar 14th 2008, 11:30:11 AM
Someone asked why the AFA is called oppressive when their memebers unite for a common cause, and gays are considered progressive. Well in a nut shell, when we gay unite for a cause, the cause it for us to be seen and recognized as equals to everyone else in this country. As a tax paying citizen why can't I get "married" to my partner of 6 years? Why can't we enjoy the same tax benefits that a husband and wife have? I think I deserve those rights as an american citizen. The AFA unites to spread hate. That's the end of the story. They boycott Disney for their "support" of Gay Day's here in Orlando. Well guess what, it is IGNORED! When you see all of the people that come to the Orlando area that first weekend of June for GayDays, you know, no one gives a damn about the AFA. Oh and if the AFA did their research, they would find out that GayDays in Orlando is not a recognized event by Disney. They don't sponsor it at all, a bunch of other companies do. Is Disney going to turn away tens of thousands of people on one day because they're gay? Nope!
By Jos Ver | Posted: Mar 13th 2008, 05:00:15 PM
Jesse Says "all these bible thumping haters"
...seems Jesse is the hater by using such labels...
By Michael | Posted: Mar 13th 2008, 04:38:09 PM
I truly feel sorry for all the member of the AFA. To claim that they are good Christians who support family values but LOATHE a certain group (gays and lesbians) of human beigns is very sad. As I understand it, Jesus walked this earth caring for ALL men and women. The AFA is nothing more than a hateful group of hippocrites! I thank God that he gave us such diversity in the human race, including gays and lesbians. As someone who does not profess to be very religous I will pray for the misguided leaders and members of the AFA. By the way, my next car/truck will be a Ford product.
By Jesse | Posted: Mar 13th 2008, 03:19:58 PM
for the sake of argument either way...let's watch Ford for the next 2 years and see if all these bible thumping haters run out and buy Fords thereby INCREASING their sales to match or better the losses posted.
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