Filed under: Car Buying, Trends
19 groups to renew boycott against Ford over gay marketing efforts
We knew it couldn’t last. On Monday, nineteen conservative groups renewed plans for a boycott of the Ford Motor Company on the grounds that the automaker reneged on a purported accord to cease supporting gay organizations.
Led by the American Family Association (AFA), the groups have set up an internet site calling upon consumers to shun the Blue Oval.
For its part, Ford quickly responded by stating that it remains “proud of its tradition of treating all with respect and we remain focused on what we do best, building and selling the most innovative cars and trucks worldwide.
Ford shares dropped one cent (to $7.83) in Monday afternoon trading.
[Source: Forbes]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Gunnar Heinrich 7:15AM (3/14/2006)
As if Ford doesn't have enough problems already.
http://www.automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com
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Philip Dunlop 7:21AM (3/14/2006)
If this happened anywhere else in the world, it'd be illegal. I personally applaud Ford, and hope they'll continue to be steadfast. They'll probably earn more buyers in the long run.
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Blake 7:29AM (3/14/2006)
If a large group with the word "family" in the name used to somehow justify ignorant hatred boycotted Ford for advertising in Ebony or Jet, how well would that go?
Screw those people.
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CanadaCraig 7:38AM (3/14/2006)
Hi Everyone!! IF President Bush TOLD you that HE was a 12 year old Asian girl - would you believe him? Why not? Because you can SEE that he is NOT? Well... can't you [and others] also see that the American Family Association is no more 'Christian' than Osama Bin Laden is Muslim? Thank God for Ford's response. "[Ford remains] proud of its tradition of treating all with respect..." THAT - my friends - is also the Christian tradition. [although you don't see nearly enough 'Christians' abiding by it] As a Christian I find organization like the AFA an embarrassment. I wish they'd get back to following Christ instead of their own egos. In the Woody Allen film 'Hanna and her Sisters' there is a line that I think is hysterical. [because it's true] "If Jesus came back and saw what was being done in His NAME - He would never stop throwing up!!" [or words to that effect]
Have a great day!!
Craig!! :o)
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JZeke 7:54AM (3/14/2006)
Its good to know that a homophobe's threats can only lower a stock's price by a penny.
Guess thats what ignorance is worth in the market today.
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Dave 8:12AM (3/14/2006)
I think you guys have the wrong idea. The AFA is not calling on a boycott because Ford advertised to homosexuals, but because they gave money (which I thought they were short of) to groups advocating and working for the legal acceptance of homosexual marriage. To the AFA and to other conservative groups, gay marriage, besides the moral question, presents many legal difficulties that undermine the traditional view of what a family is. Im not here to take sides or to support the efforts of these groups. I already boycott Ford products for other reasons having to do with their products, not their policies. But I do feel its unfair to categorize these groups as saying Ford cant advertise or be nice to gays. Thats not at all the issue.
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Philip Dunlop 8:13AM (3/14/2006)
I think Ford's stock would probably have gone down by a lot more if they didn't say it!
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Philip Dunlop 8:14AM (3/14/2006)
I think Ford's stock would probably have gone down by a lot more if they (the AFA) didn't say it!
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Philip Dunlop 8:25AM (3/14/2006)
Either way, Dave, it's not up to the AFA to say what is or is not right when it comes to how Ford spends their money. And why don't the AFA lobby gun groups, which have the potential to cause a lot more harm than a child being brought up by a loving homosexual family? If they're going to make an argument as to the "legal difficulties that undermine the tradiional view of what a family is", then they should be a bit more clear in how they do it, because Ford are the wrong people to be tackling if that's the case. The traditional view of what a family is is quite subjective, and the general feeling among the public at large in many places around the world is that a gay couple is just as capable of raising a child in the right atmosphere as a straight couple, or single parent. I'm not sure what difference two people having the same genitalia has in bringing up a child. Since the AFA are such self-proclaimed experts, perhaps they should tell me. It's all a case of double standards, and no matter what way you look at it, the AFA is going to come out of it looking the bad guys, which is proper order too.
Y'know, if the likes of GM pay attention to these kinds of sites in order to gauge how they should design future cars, someone should draw the attention of the AFA right here to show them just how sick, sore and tired everyone is of hearing them harp on about issues that most people disagree with, or simply don't care about.
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Richard Warren 8:27AM (3/14/2006)
The American Family Association, just another fringe group looking for a buck and to force their agenda down everyone elses throat.
So, you AFA bigots, I have a question. It's OK to support your cause but not anyone else?
For those who are in the AFA, this is a business, white, black, purple, green whatever color you want can buy the product and Ford just like any other company has the right (yes, right) to market and support any group they wish, this also includes gay, non gay, anyone of whatever nationality they damn well choose.
You have the right to make complete fools of yourself, sue whoever you want and lose.
And here in America it's my right to say:
So take your creepy "moral values" and shove them right up you homhophobic (as this is a car site)exhaust port.
And no, I'm not gay, but I have a very good friend who is, he and his partner have been together for 29 years (longer than the average "normal" marriage) They have raised over 20 foster children (none of who turned gay) that a lot of so called "normal" people just abused, abandoned, and left. These two guys get my respect and reperesent a family much better than the AFA is.
And if anyone from Ford is reading this, give em hell and good for you.
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WDP 9:01AM (3/14/2006)
Ford needs to focus on their products, period. Then customers from all walks of life would buy them. Seems simple to me.
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LuboDuboLoL 9:03AM (3/14/2006)
Maybe this is why I like Ford. They refused to let some psychopaths in 14 "conservative" groups make decisions for them. It's like calling for a boycott of Dodge for shutting down the NEON. What a bunch of pussies. Heh.
Heck, if I saw these AFA folks running around in my yard, I'd shoot them on sight.
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bob h. 9:04AM (3/14/2006)
Wow, I thought this was a car sight..not a example of the politically correct left. Did any of you "moral purists" check out what the AFA actually said? or did you cheat on your homework and just react to the headlines. BTW -phobia is a fear...the AFA or other Christian groups are not afraid of Gays. They just don't agree that the lifestyle is natural and their religion considers it a sin. Their religion also considers it their duty to help save people from sin. This causes a confict with those who feel different. They also believe that marriage is defined as joining of a man and woman, not the joining of two "whatever you feel like".
Now you who have no idea of what Christianity is and have been indoctrinated by the politically correct public school systems and the left leaning media....blog away..
"Why can't we all just get along.." and talk about cars.
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Whatever 9:12AM (3/14/2006)
This is not hatred! This is disagreement with BEHAVIOR. This behavior and those who do it are attempting to get special rights. You guys are sooo blind to their ploys, manipulation and their attemtpts to get special rights. Noone is saying they can't be homosexual but rational and the establishment of a functional civilization and its survival depends on marriage between a man and a woman, not the permiscuous and uncontrolled lifestyle and behavior of men and woman who defy society and act on their uncontrolled predisposition. Disagree with their BEHAVIOR and you'll see what hatred is. Are you saying I can't disagree with their behavior or do you believe the illogical lie that homosexuals are born to behave that way? You're a manipulated fool. Just stop and think about it. I am not the hater. I do not hate the person but what they do to destroy the civilization that depends on a man and woman funcitioning together to allow our civilization to continue on. You think you are the 'progressives' but you don't know history and what happens to a civilization when it allows such behavior. It ultimately is ruined.
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Dave 9:12AM (3/14/2006)
WellI knew my remarks would be misinterpreted as supporting the cause of the AFA. Im not supporting the cause. Im only clarifying what their problem is with Ford. And in a way I agree with the complaint, but only in the sense that I dont think corporations such as Ford (Or GE or Boeing or Wal-Martwhoever.) should be giving profits away to ANY group with a political agenda of any kind. I personally think that customers and investors should not have to find out that a portion of their hard earned money went to causes they dont support and in ways that gave them no say in the matter. And Im not picking only on the gay issue. Id be upset if I found out money I paid to a company I did business with went to any group whose sole reason to exist is to advance a political view, even if its a view I agree with.
I will disagree with Philip on one thing he said though. The traditional view of what a family is is NOT subjective. The CURRENT view of what a traditional family is might be subjective now. Theres a big difference in those two statements.
Bottom line is the AFA is not taking issue with Ford over the opinion of what a family is, whether gays are nice people or not or even if homosexuality is moral or nottheir issue is the financial support of fringe groups with a political purpose that just happens to be a view contrary to theirs. I hope most dont mind being kept clear on the facts but I realize some of you would rather rant on in ignorance.
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Philip Dunlop 9:18AM (3/14/2006)
How can you say something like that, and follow it with "why can't we all just get along"? Your message is obviously inflammatory.
I have no idea what it's like to be Christian? On the contrary. I live in a Christian-dominated country, where Christians, the supreme upholders of moral values, took children away from their families, placed them in industrial schools and physically and sexually assaulted a great number of them. This is nothing to do with leftist-media wrangling (and, frankly, anyone who considers the American media to be "leftist" needs to get their head examined). The evidence is there for all to see, and has gone to governmental tribunal. So that takes away their right to lecture me on family values, since they've little recognision of said values themselves. It's all hypocracy.
The fact the Christian groups have the gaul to speak for everyone like this is astounding. The fact they consider the gay lifestyle "a sin" sounds a lot like fear to me. And, if I may be a pedant for a moment, a "-phobia" also refers to an aversion, not just a "natural fear", so that argument still doesn't hold much water.
They can help save people from sin all they want. I'd rather give them my permission before they shoved their opinions down my throat though.
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Philip Dunlop 9:28AM (3/14/2006)
Ahh the AFA might like to say they're taking issue with Ford's payment to political groups, but would they not care to intervene on oil companies bankrolling the Republican party, too? It's all a neat little veil over their true intention - conservatives, inherantly, disagree with the gay way of life, and their capacity in having a family.
And traditions change. That's what I mean about it being subjective.
I appreciate the fact that you're trying to see things from how the AFA say it should be seen, but if you're to delve deeper, then we have to ask ourselves: if it was a non-gay movement that Ford were supporting, would they take issue? If it were a racial minority, as someone mentioned, would they take issue? It's more acceptable to launch an attack upon Ford for supporting the gay community because some quarters still see it as acceptable. It's na? to think the AFA don't have another agenda beneath all this.
To Whatever: you've spoken so much nonsense that you almost sound like a closet case yourself. If you're not gay, then how can you know that the claim a lot of gay people make, that they are "born gay" is a lie? And just what "behaviour" are you speaking of that's so wrong? What is wrong with promiscuity? You know, gay people would be happy to marry eachother, thus neglecting the need for "promiscuity", but conservative groups won't let them. You know, you can't have it both ways. You need to educate yourself a bit more on how the gay community works, and how the average gay person is no more promiscuous than a good, god-fearing, law abiding Christian. A person's sexuality does not make them more or less promiscuous. The fact that what you deem acceptable for one group is unacceptable for another does.
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mj10990 9:33AM (3/14/2006)
In the past seven months I have purchased a new Volvo and a new Mazda. On Friday my Mother in law will pick up her new Mazda.
We considered Honda and Toyota vehicles, but like our Volvo and Mazdas better. The fact that parent company Ford has a spine to stand up to these disgusting people reenforces these decisions.
That is fighting back with my dollars.
And yes, we came very close to buying an Acura, and one of the strongest points against the Acura was Honda Motor Company's refusal to stand up for equal human rights.
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RossL 9:44AM (3/14/2006)
#4 and # 12 - Don't get too choked up about Ford's supposed heroism in this epic struggle. IIRC, the company originally caved into the AFA's demands - or rather, it withdrew its ads from gay publications while claiming (improbably) that the decision had nothing to do with pressure from the AFA. Of course, that set off a firestorm of criticism from oppononts of the AFA. So now Ford has flip-flopped back to the side of tolerance. People can accuse Ford of many things, but steadfastness isn't one of them. (Having said that, I sympathize with the position Bill Ford finds himself in. The shameful anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi legacy of Henry Ford can't be easy to live down.)
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Dave 9:56AM (3/14/2006)
Philip...You're right, the AFA would not take issue with oil companies donating to Republicans. Likewise, they'd have no issue with computer companies donating to Democrats. Why? (Listen carefully)...THAT'S NOT THEIR ISSUE. FAMILY issues ARE their issue and that's why they're speaking out about Ford on this issue. As RossL reminded us, Henry Ford (the original) was known to be a Nazi sympathizer. If it was determined that Ford was donating money to Neo-Nazi groups, who do you think would be the most upset? Maybe Jewish groups? If they were donating money to the Anti Defamation League maybe some Muslim group would be speaking out. The AFAs purpose is to support their view of family so thats why THIS issue is an issue to them. I would think thats pretty easy to understand.
And just a side note Philipwhen a tradition changeswhat replaces it does not immediately become a tradition. Traditions are the result of many years of consistency. The latest fad, no matter how admirable, is not a traditionnot yet anyway.
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