December 6, 2005
Gay and lesbian groups are angry with Ford Motor Co. for agreeing to stop advertising in gay-themed publications in the face of boycott threats from the conservative American Family Association (AFA).
Ford sent two top company officers to Tupelo, Miss to discuss the boycott with the AFA leadership. They promised the conservative organization that Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands will not advertise in gay and lesbian publications nor will Jaguar and Land Rover target gay consumers through any advertising.
Only Volvo, Ford's Sweden-based brand, will continue marketing directly to gays and lesbians.
Following the meeting AFA, which has 3 million members, agreed to back off threats of a renewed boycott against Ford.
A spokesman for Ford said the move to make peace with the AFA is "a business decision, purely financial."
A group of gay and lesbian organizations quickly charged that Ford has caved in to pressure from the religious right.
"We are deeply dismayed that Ford has entered into a confidential agreement with the extremist American Family Association that requires Ford to stop advertising in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender media," 17 gay and lesbian organizations said in a joint statement.
Ford insists its nondiscrimination policies covering employees, regardless of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, cultural and physical differences will not change. A company spokesman would not say whether Ford plans to continue contributing to gay and lesbian organizations and causes.
