The American Family Association's saying that McDonald's caved to their demands after another one of their lame boycotts.
They started the boycott back in July because McDonald's gave $20K to the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, had a VP on the board of the NGLCC, and because they donated money to Pride events.
Yesterday the AFA released a press statement:
AFA ends boycott: McDonald's agrees to changes
October 9, 2008
McDonald's has told AFA they will remain neutral in the culture war regarding homosexual marriage. AFA is ending the boycott of McDonald's. As you know, AFA called for the boycott in May after McDonald's joined the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).
McDonald's said McDonald's Vice President Richard Ellis has resigned his position on the board of NGLCC and that his seat on the board will not be replaced. McDonald's also said that the company has no plans to renew their membership in NGLCC when it expires in December.
In an e-mail to McDonald's franchised owners the company said, "It is our policy to not be involved in political and social issues. McDonald's remains neutral on same sex marriage or any 'homosexual agenda' as defined by the American Family Association."
We appreciate the decision by McDonald's to no longer support political activity by homosexual activist organizations. You might want to thank your local McDonald's manager.
And JMG got a statement from the NGLCC:
Like all our corporate relationships, McDonald's USA has been a good partner with the Chamber. There has been no discussion between the NGLCC and McDonalds regarding continuing membership, nor has the NGLCC been notified of any move not to renew our work together. The NGLCC will continue to align with corporate America in support of equal opportunity for all of America's worker and small businesses.
So what are the chances that the AFA knew that McDonald's would never cave to their demands so they just made up a reason to quit the boycott? Really high or super high?
One of the hardest parts of running a boycott is actually getting your demands met so you can quit, and McDonald's knows a thing or two about ignoring boycotts. And the AFA knows a thing or two about how to jump ship when a boycott is going nowhere fast.
Related to McDonald's and homophobia, the Fairness Campaign (Kentucky's LGBT rights group) is planning to protest because several gay men were called faggots at McDonalds:
What: ACLU of Kentucky, Fairness Campaign, UofL's commonGround, Lambda Law Caucus, Office of LGBT Services and community members will gather this Friday to protest anti-gay discrimination by employees of a downtown Louisville McDonald's restaurant.
Who: Ryan Marlatt and Teddy Eggers, two Indianapolis residents who were called "faggots" and other anti-gay slurs by a McDonald's employee; Becca O'Neill, Lambda Law Caucus; Michael Aldridge, Executive Director, ACLU of Kentucky; Jeff Rodgers, Co-coordinator, Fairness Campaign; and other members of the LGBT community.
Where: McDonald's, 420 E. Market St., downtown Louisville between Preston & Jackson Streets
When: 12 p.m., Friday, October 10, 2008
Share
Like what you read? Subscribe to The Bilerico Project by Email.
Want others to read it too? Use the buttons and links here to share this entry with others. (Move your cursor over a button or link to learn more about it.)
1 Comment
« John McCain and The Grinch: Separated at Birth? | Home | Connecticut legalizes same-sex marriage »
AFA may claim victory, but the McDonald's is declaring that it was never in the battle.
The McDonald's executive who had been on the NGLCC board has left for Canada. Since his position on the NGLCC board was a personal decision, and not a McDonald's decision, the company had no reason to replace him. They never belonged to NGLCC.
However, McDonald's did donate $20,000 to NGLCC last year and have no plans to repeat the donation.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-fri-mcdonalds-boycott-oct10,0,2009019.story
Dale | October 10, 2008 10:25 PM
Reply to this comment