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.

Golden Arches' spokesman says Christian boycotters "hate" homosexuals -- Not the way to make customers happy.

McDonald's spokesman Bill Whitman basically accused conservative Christians, boycotting McDonald's for it's support of homosexual social and political causes, of promoting hate according to story by WordNetDaily.com. Whitman told the Washington Post, "Hatred has no place in our culture." He goes on to say "...we stand by and support our people to live and work in a society free of discrimination and harassment."

The boycott is sponsored by the American Family Association (AFA) which responded, "Throwing out any pretense of being neutral in the culture war, McDonald's has taken up the rhetoric of gay activists, suggesting those who oppose same-sex marriage (SSM) are motivated by hate."

McDonald's is supportive of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) to which McDonald's donates money and sits on their board of directors. NGLCC lobbies Congress on a number of pro-homosexual issues including the promotion of same-sex marriage.

According to WorldNetDaily.com:

AFA said McDonald's donated $20,000 to the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce in exchange for membership in the NGLCC and a seat on the group's board of directors. The NGLCC lobbies Congress on a wide range of issues, including the promotion of same-sex marriage.

AFA had asked the corporation to remove its name and logo from the NGLCC website, where it is listed as a "corporate partner and organization ally." AFA also requested that McDonald's remove the endorsement of NGLCC by Richard Ellis, vice president of communications for McDonald's USA, from the website.

They also note that AFA says the issue isn't about hiring homosexual employees but putting corporate support behind a radical social and political agenda.

AFA has encouraged successful boycotts of a number of large corporations. The most recent and noteworthy was Ford Motors Co. That boycott lasted for two years during which time Ford's sales dropped 8% a month for the two year period.

McDonald's corporate response will only further upset folks. If they think this will simply blow over, I think they are mistaken.