Friday, October 10, 2008

McDonald's backs down on promoting homosexuality -- AFA boycott ends.

Back in July, I wrote about the comments of a McDonald's spokesman who associated people who opposed their promotion of homosexuality with being advocates of hatred.

At the time McDonald's was actively supporting a homosexual corporate group, which among other things, was advocating for homosexual marriage. They also sponsored homosexual events like the 2007 San Francisco Gay Pride parade with a television ad. The American Family Association objected but was rebuffed. At the time AFA said, "Throwing out any pretense of being neutral in the cultural war, McDonald's has taken up the rhetoric of gay activists, suggesting those who oppose the same-sex marriage (SSM) are motivated by hate." AFA then called for a boycott of McDonald's nationally.

Well, it seems McDonald's looked at their bottom line and their corporate image and decided they didn't want to pick sides in the culture war. According to AFA,

Great news! Because of AFA supporters like you, McDonald’s has told AFA it 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 it’s Vice President, Richard Ellis, has resigned his position on the board of directors of NGLCC and his seat on the board will not be replaced. McDonald’s also said that the company has no plans to renew it’s 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.

I appreciate McDonald's doing the right thing though I wish they would have done it for the right reasons. Not merely because they seem to be concerned about their bottom line.

No comments: