Autoblog

Each quarter, Gaywheels.com publishes a list of their Top 10 Most Researched Vehicles, and the latest data is in, providing a market indicator for the most popular cars in the Gay Lesbian Bisexual and Transgender (GLBT) community.

The Toyota Yaris remained the most searched car among Gaywheels.com community, while the Saab 9-3 edged out the Toyota Camry for the number two spot. While the list, which is based on web traffic and not on purchases, is self-perpetuating to an extent, newcomers like the Volkswagen Rabbit and Toyota Corolla have made it into the #7 and #9 slots. Perhaps the most surprising car on the list is the Dodge Caliber, which garnered controversy for perceived gay-bashing humor in a television commercial.

Gaywheels.com points out that all the cars in the Top 10 are produced by "gay-friendly" automakers, thus assessed by their manufacturer's provision of spousal benefits to same-sex partners of employees.

For the full list, follow the jump.

[Source: Gaywheels.com]

Ford’s shareholders are to reportedly consider changing the company’s equal employment policy language to exclude any mention of sexual orientation. The move is expected after the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rejected the automaker’s bid to keep the matter from its proxy statement. As of right now, the Blue Oval’s policy includes clauses that specifically outline the company’s pledge not to discriminate based upon sexual orientation, but a request by shareholder Robert Hurley has submitted the proposal for consideration.

Ford has apparently been petitioning the government agency to exclude the issue, arguing that its inclusion will hurt the automaker’s chances of wooing potential employees at certain universities (that require sexual orientation to be included in recruiting companies’ policies), also fearing that backlash stemming from such a changeover could hurt sales to GLBT supporters.

The proxy statement goes out this Friday, at which point shareholders will vote on the issue. The result is expected to be made public on May 11 at Ford’s annual meeting.

[Source: Associated Press via Detroit News]

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]

About.com's Gay Life Guide Ramon Johnson compiled what he considers the ten gayest cars in 2006. Johnson himself prefaces the list by saying it's based on a combination of humor, style and sophistication.

With the Chevrolet Impala as the ‘Most Likely Low Down Cruiser', the Kia Sorento as 'Best Dragwagon', and the Mini Cooper as the Best 'Twinkmobile', he’s definitely addressing the Will and Jacks of the gay community.

Where’s the Volvo XC70? Or a ‘grossly oversized 60’s convertible’? And Johnson’s list is limited to American tastes. Where’s the Aston Martin, voted Europe’s Gay Car of the Year? 

Of note, the MX-5 (formerly known as the Miata) didn’t make the list. Looks like it's been replaced by the Solstice.

We've gone a round or two in the past with other publications' ideas of what qualifies as GLBT autodom, see  the posts below for extra credit: 

LGBT community prefers imports, survey says
Coming out… of the garage
Car-shopping site for gay buyers launched