« Go back a post || Return to G-A-Y homepage || Haul tail to next post »
11/14/2006
It's official: Companies now being shunned for merely acknowledging us!
Following the lead of the American Family Association, who is encouraging followers to boycott Wal-Mart because the retail giant has allowed a gay group to be one of the thousands of organizations to participate in their affiliate marketing program, Peter LaBarbera of the so-called "Americans For Truth" today takes the misguided antipathy one more unwarranted step. After dutifully decrying Wal-Mart for supposedly supporting the "gay agenda" via their marketing initiative, LaBarbera goes on to say on his website:
Note from Americans for Truth - Wal-Mart is not the only company participating in this program. Other familiar retailers include:
* 1-800-Flowers (6%)
* Amazon (5%)
* Avon (8%)
* Barnes and Noble (5%)
* Disney Store (5%)
* FTD (6%)
* Gap (5%)
* Hallmark (12%)
* Office Max (4%)
* REI (5%)
* Staples (3%)
* Toys R Us (via Amazon, 5%)
* Verizon Online DSL ($40)
For a complete list of companies donating money from purchases to promote homosexuality, click HERE.
But here's the thing: Of the 13 companies that LaBarbera mentions above, only 4 of the links to their affiliate marketing programs are even still active on the site of the D.C. Center, the gay rights group in question. But the real kicker is that just like with Wal-mart, ALL THAT ANY OF THESE COMPANIES EVER AGREED TO DO IS SIMPLY ALLOW THE GAY RIGHTS GROUP TO PARTICIPATE IN THEIR AFFILIATE MARKETING PROGRAM!!!!!!!! As with Wal-Mart, these companies host affiliate marketing programs that they open up to groups from all ideological walks of life! Even if you're someone who opposes gay rights at every turn, how can you not see that allowing a group to participate in a marketing program is not the same thing as funding an "agenda"?!?!
Just like with Wal-Mart, even if the above companies were supporting gay rights, then GOOD FOR THEM! We happen to think the cause is a worthy one! However, in this particular instance, these companies are neither supporting or shunning gays; they're merely acknowledging our existence as part of the spectrum of commerce! Of course in the reactionary world of anti-gay politics, you shoot first, ask questions later. Rational thought -- what's that?
Look, we clearly don't agree with Americans for Truth or the American Family Association on just about anything. We never find their gay-centric boycotts appealing, as we support gay rights about as fully as one can. However, these kids have completely jumped the gun on this one, encouraging a boycott so frighteningly misguided, we'd imagine even some conservative Christians will stand with us in opposition to the overreaction.
Wal-Mart Contributes 5% Of Online Sales Via DC Homosexual Community Center Website [AFT]
Technorati Tags: LaBarbera
