DETROIT - Ford Motor Co. said on Tuesday that its luxuryThis is one of the first times I feel pleased with something Ford is doing. Although Ford denied this is a result of pressure from pro-family and conservative groups, I suspect it is a large reason. After all, such a large number of vehicles are sold to families. (and I'm not just talking about minivans here!)
Jaguar and Land Rover brands will no longer advertise in gay publications, but
denied that the nation's second largest automaker made the decision under
pressure from conservative Christian groups. "The decisions with regard to
advertising was a business decision," Ford spokesman Mike Moran said. He said
Ford's Volvo brand would continue advertising in gay publications. Ford hasn't
advertised its Ford, Lincoln and Mercury brands in those publications, Moran
added.
Another article sheds better light.
The American Family Association also called for the boycottLike E.J. Bernacki (spokesman for Levi Strauss) said, "We're a values-based company," Bernacki said. "Every decision we make reflects our values."
of Ford, for advertising in gay publications. On Monday, Ford said it would no
longer advertise its Jaguar and Land Rover brands in gay publications, according
to the New York Times. Ford spokesman Mike Moran told the Times the ads were
eliminated as a cost-cutting measure, and he played down the role of the boycott
in the company's decision. But gay rights leaders said Ford's decision to stop
the ads resulted from a "confidential agreement" the company made with the
American Family Association, and they demanded a meeting this week with Ford,
according to a statement issued Monday by the National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force that was signed by 18 other gay rights organizations.
That's right. And if you're going to reflect values that hurt society and the American family, then we don't want you.
It's nice to see FORD is taking a positive stand for a change.
3 comments:
And what is that supposed to accomplish? They're only succeeding in making a statement, but let me ask you, do you think they will refuse to *sell* a car to a gay person? I don't think so! I'll bet if the gay population was a major contributing customer to the Ford company (which, as you've mentioned, it usually isn't) then it wouldn't think twice about offending or discriminating against them.
I think the notion that gay people are hurting our society or the "American Family" (which I must say is already lacking in most cases - without the influence of gay culture) is absolutely ridiculous. Can't we just live and let live without relentless judgement of people who don't live their lives like others believe they "should"?
I know I'm always commenting on your gay-related posts, but it really saddens me that this form of discrimination is still out there. You are certainly entitled to hold whatever religious beliefs you have, but doesn't your religion also preach "Judge not, lest you be judged yourself"?
First, I have no problems with gays themselves. I have a problem with their LIFESTYLE. And it DOES involve me, along w/ everyone else, as it effects our laws, living circumstances, etc.
It's not discrimination- it's factual.
Me being happy with a change in Ford's advertising does not equal me committing a hate crime. I actually have homosexual friends.
You also wrote:
"I think the notion that gay people are hurting our society or the "American Family" (which I must say is already lacking in most cases - without the influence of gay culture) is absolutely ridiculous."
Actually, statistics and research show quite the contrary- that particluar lifestyle DOES negatively effect most families. I've discussed this before- from health issues to insurance to laws and emotional well-being.
True, being judgemental is not Christian, nor is it good emotionally. But I am not speaking from my religious text here. This is my opinion regardless of my faith.
My opinions come from my personal, real life experiences. From seeing families being broken apart, from watching people fall to a preventable STD, to many others. I didn't catch that in a church homily- I caught in real life.
Certain lifestyles warrant more risks than others- be it smoking, drugs, drinking, or homosexuality. It's just a point I'm making here. I am not discriminating. It's hard to discriminate when you're talking about facts and truth.
Now on to Ford. I am mostly surprised because Ford is more union than anything, and more liberal in most cases. Normally I do not agree with their policies. When i heard about this, I was surprised. I am in no way saying gays shouldn't be allowed to drive, or buy cars, etc. Shoot- when i waited tables through collegs the "gays" were the best tippers! However, FORD being such a large company, and representing so much more than a car company, it makes a much larger statement. (esp. in my area- where Henry Ford is from, and where Ford is based- and where EVERYTHING is Ford related).
I hope this makes more sense.
I can not change your opinion- it sounds as though you have already labeled me a bigot and a discriminator. Unfortunately, you have it all wrong. I am far from that.
Sharon...First of all, let me just say that I don't think you're a bigot. In fact, I've been hesitant about commenting about this because I don't want to offend you, and also b/c this is a forum where you are completely free to voice your opinion and shouldn't have to defend yourself to anyone...so I'm sorry! I meant it purely as a respectful debate of differing opinions.
That said, do your homosexual friends know how you feel about their lifestyle? If I had a friend who thought my lifestyle was so damaging to society on a whole, I'd be a bit hurt. Also, no matter how badly you feel they damage our society and affect *everyone*, homosexuality is a fact of life. Yes, perhaps their lifestyle is more risky than a heterosexual's lifestyle on AVERAGE, but there are many straight people who have STD's and AIDS (these are not "gay diseases"). And I did read one of the articles you cited in response to a different reply I had made (regarding homosexuals having more health problems, in particular cancer) and what it said was not that they have more *instances* of health problems, but because of their "lack of health care" they suffer greater complications of illnesses. Therefore, if they were allowed the same benefits of a married straight couple they would have access to better health care and recieve proper treatment to prevent these complications.
I beleive a big part of the gay lifestyle being so prone to promiscuity and drug use has less to do with the fact that they are homosexual and much more to do with the fact that these are coping mechanisms for them to deal with lack of acceptance (oftentimes a lifelong rejection of them by family and society) and therefore less sense of human value. We all know lack of personal value (self-esteem) and/or physical or emotional abuse is often characteristic of those who use drugs and sex to fill those voids in their lives. So it's no wonder that those abuses are so prevalent among homosexuals. I believe taking a stand of acceptance of ALL people, rather than such strong resistance, is the way to make change. "What you resist will persist."
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