Great Reason to Buy Kraft
Thinking Americans can't let these religious zealots can't get away with this crap.Stash
Kraft attacked for backing Gay Games
Larry Buhl, PlanetOut Network
Kraft Foods came under attack this week by the American Family Association, a Mississippi-based anti-gay group, which urges the food maker to drop its corporate sponsorship of the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago.
Kraft, headquartered in suburban Chicago, is a business sponsor of the Gay Games and will also sponsor the swimming events.
In an e-mail sent Monday, AFA encouraged its 500,000 members to make a personal call to Kraft and "tell them to pull their financial support from the 2006 Gay Games." The group is not, however, calling for an official boycott of Kraft or other corporate sponsors, according to Kathryn Hooks, AFA's director of media.
"We believe many of Kraft's customers would be offended to know a portion of their finances from Kraft purchases is being used to support something they oppose, and we also believe Kraft corporation would want to hear from its customers," Hooks said.
A staunch opponent of gay rights, the AFA regularly does battle against what it calls the "radical homosexual agenda" and is best known for urging boycotts of Disney and Procter & Gamble. The group regularly protests companies that advertise on shows such as "Will & Grace" and "Desperate Housewives."
The noise made by the large and well-funded -- $11 million in 2000 -- group has so far had little impact on the Gay Games. Seventy-two companies, including PlanetOut Inc., have signed on to be sponsors, and it is unlikely that any might pull out because of conservative religious pressure, according to Kevin G. Boyer, a spokesman for Chicago's 2006 event.
"It's disappointing that a group would target something like an event that celebrates sports and healthy lifestyles," Boyer told the PlanetOut Network. "But AFA's efforts seem more about energizing their base and raising money than bringing about policy changes. Kraft is behind us 100 percent."
Boyer also noted that the Gay Games have broad public support in Chicago, including that of the mayor, Richard M. Daley, who is the honorary chair of Chicago 2006.
This support was reiterated in a statement from Chicago City Hall. "Mayor Daley is committed to the success of the 2006 Gay Games because it is an expression of international goodwill and a celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, which are important to Chicago," said Bill Greaves, Chicago's liaison to the LGBT communities.
AFA's actions drew harsh words from the Federation of Gay Games, the governing board for Chicago 2006. "AFA's call for negative messaging against Kraft Foods is an insult, not just to the sponsors and LGBT athletes of the Gay Games, but to all of the straight and accepting athletes, coaches, supporters and families who enjoy the quadrennial celebration of excellence and acceptance," said Roger Brigham, a spokesman for the Federation.
On Wednesday Kraft and other sponsors were attacked by another religious right group following AFA's lead. The Illinois Family Institute asked its members to target Kraft and five other Illinois companies that are sponsoring what it calls the "Homosexuality Games."
"By allowing their corporate logos to be used to promote the 'Gay Games,' Kraft, Harris Bank and other sponsoring companies are celebrating wrong and destructive behaviors, and showing their disdain for the majority of Americans who favor traditional morality and marriage," the group wrote on its Web site. Ironically, the site features a prominent bust of Abraham Lincoln, who has recently been regarded by some historians as gay.
Boyer said that a coordinated LGBT response to such attacks is not necessary, but he encouraged people who want to show their appreciation for Kraft's support of diversity to do so on their Web site, at Kraft.com, or through a link at gaygameschicago.org.
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8 Comments:
"Thinking Americans can't let these religious zealots can't get away with this crap."
Can you clarify for me what you feel so strongly about? Is the crap these zealots are getting away with opposing normalizing homosexuality or is it trying to influence society through a boycott? Or both?
What would you suggest we do in order to keep them from getting away with it?
Buy a whole bunch of Kraft items and tell the religious bigots to screw off.
Do you have a better idea?
What is the difference between you telling the "religious bigots" to "screw off" because you don't like what they are doing from the "religious bigots" telling Kraft to screw off because they don't like what they are doing?
Seems you both are excercising your right to assemble and protest. If they are bigots then arent you also?
Isn't it more likely that you have a strong believe and they have a strong belief and the two are just expressing your ideas in the public arena and neither are bigots or villians. You just disagree?
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"Seems you both are excercising your right to assemble and protest."
Yes. But, they are boycotting to allow continued discriminination and limiting the rights of people. Boycotts and protests in the past have been done to increase the rights of our citizens and/or to eliminate discrimination.
Pick a side. Stick with the Wrong Wing's continued discrimination or walk towards the light.
It's not an on-coming train!
"...They are boycotting to allow continued discriminination and limiting the rights of people. Boycotts and protests in the past have been done to increase the rights of our citizens and/or to eliminate discrimination."
Stash, since you only support boycotts that work to eliminate discrimination will you stand with me against PETA's boycott against Kentucky Fried Chicken. I feel you are someone who would understand my feelings of being descriminated against. These bigots are attempting to limit my rights as a citizen which may endanger my access to eat take out chicken. If they succeed and drive KFC into the ground I will be lost. Please help!
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I'm with you friend. Bring on the 'tucky fried!
Glad we could see eye to eye. Now, go out and do the right thing and buy some Kraft! Stop those religious bigots. Glad you could come towards the light. It's not so foggy anymore, huh?
The world doesn't revolve around Rush, Frist, and Dubya.
Mighty proud of ya.
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