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10/09/2008

AFA: Golden Arches have bent our way

by Jeremy Hooper

When the American Family Association ended their anti-gay boycott against Ford, they claimed all sorts of wins. Only problem? The motor company repeatedly denied that they'd made any of the corporate changes that the AFA was touting.

Well fast forward to the McDonald's boycott of 2008. Is history repeating itself, or this time, has an American company truly sold out gays at the hand of (seemingly ineffective) extremism? Well, we simply don't know. So until we learn more, we are posting the following AFA press release without any comment:

AFA ends boycott: McDonald's agrees to changes



Dear Friend,



Great news! Because of AFA supporters like you, 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.

AFA ends boycott: McDonald's agrees to changes [AFA]

**UPDATES: Joe.My.God has obtained a reply from the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), who knows nothing about these supposed developments.

Also, Queerty has some insight into Richard Ellis' departure. According to their sources, the exodus was purely for personal reasons.

**UPDATE, 10/10: Statement by the NGLCC Regarding the AFA and McDonalds

"The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) exists to foster relationships between major corporations and businesses owned by LGBT people and to ensure a fair and equitable workplace for all Americans. The NGLCC does not lobby on the issue of same-sex marriage. The NGLCC’s number one legislative priority is access to quality and affordable healthcare for our business owning members. The mandate of the NGLCC is to foster strong businesses, and not to pursue individual political agendas. In these trying economic times, now more than ever, the NGLCC is committed to ensuring our member businesses continue to be a strong and vibrant part of the small business engine that makes the U.S. economy run.

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 workers and small businesses. "



Your thoughts

Please stay with this one; I'd like to know what McDonalds has to say about the NGLCC board resignation.

Posted by: marc | Oct 9, 2008 2:20:05 PM

And to think, I have been going to McDonald's every day to buy my cheap coffee before class. Guess I have to go back to Starbucks again:-( -zak

Posted by: Zak | Oct 9, 2008 2:20:47 PM

Please keep us posted on this -- if McDonald's actually caved, they've lost my burger business forever.



Posted by: K | Oct 9, 2008 2:42:28 PM

K: They may have lost your business, but they've gained mine back.

Posted by: J | Oct 9, 2008 3:51:56 PM

There are some more details and McDonald's response over at Queerty. I spoke with the McD's media office and the claim the AFA had nothing to do with anything.

Posted by: ColeWake | Oct 9, 2008 4:04:58 PM

Is it just me, or does anyone else see the Karmic justice in the supposed "caving in" to the AFA's demands, and the simultaneous TANKING of MCD Stock! Over the past couple of days, MCD has dropped 11.5 points. Maybe the bastards should have stood strong in the face of the radically tyrannical religulous right!

Posted by: Dick Mills | Oct 9, 2008 9:36:21 PM

Jeremy, a "YesOnProp8" ad just popped up on your website! :(. You might wanna check in with whatever Flash advertiser you're using.

Posted by: Alex | Oct 10, 2008 12:41:30 AM

Here is the official statement by the NGLCC. http://www.nglcc.org/node/4168

Posted by: Daimeon | Oct 10, 2008 10:43:25 AM

I checked out the link Daimeon. So the AFA lied what a surprise. Not!!!

Posted by: adam kautz | Oct 10, 2008 5:13:57 PM

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