Group reinstates boycott of Ford over ads aimed at gays

Group reinstates boycott of Ford over ads aimed at gays
By Jeremy W. Peters The New York Times

THURSDAY, MARCH 16, 2006
DETROIT A coalition of groups that oppose civil rights for gay people is pressing for a boycott of Ford Motor, in the latest push by U.S. religious conservatives to influence how and where companies advertise.

The American Family Association, which has boycotted Target retail stores for using the word "holiday" instead of "Christmas" and Procter & Gamble over its stance on local legislation involving discrimination against gays, has reinstated a boycott to try to force Ford to stop advertising in publications aimed at gay readers.

Ford, which has a long history of working cooperatively with gay rights groups, gave no indication Tuesday that it would change its decision to continue advertising in gay media.

Last year, Ford came under criticism from gay rights groups after it decided to withdraw its Jaguar and Land Rover ads from publications aimed at gays.

The American Family Association claimed responsibility for Ford's move, and the carmaker did little at first to challenge that. But after discussions with representatives from gay and lesbian groups, Ford reversed its decision.

The American Family Association and 43 other groups then accused Ford of breaking its word and called on the company to stop the ads and end contributions to gay causes.

On Monday, American Family Association and 18 other groups reinstated the boycott against the carmaker.

"Ford reneged on the agreement to stop funding homosexual organizations and activities and advertising in homosexual media," its chairman, the Reverend Donald Wildmon, said.

But so far, Ford said, it plans to stick to its policy regarding advertising in gay media.

"We've always been open to dialogue, but our position is that we will continue treating all with respect," a spokeswoman, Kathleen Vokes, said.

Boycotts are a common technique for groups to show disapproval of corporate policies, but the actions do not often attract wide support.

While conservative groups have said their boycotts have persuaded corporations to change their marketing techniques, their influence seems questionable. Despite an announcement from the American Family Association last year that Procter & Gamble was no longer advertising on the American television shows "Will & Grace" and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," the company continued to advertise on the programs.

"We didn't change anything," a spokesman for Procter & Gamble said.

Ford has also rejected American Family Association's claims that it persuaded the automaker to change its position on advertising in gay media. In May, the group started its first boycott of Ford for its support of gay causes. It started the Web site BoycottFord.com, which has since been reactivated. It said it had sent out 2.2 million e-mail messages urging people not to buy Ford cars and trucks.


DETROIT A coalition of groups that oppose civil rights for gay people is pressing for a boycott of Ford Motor, in the latest push by U.S. religious conservatives to influence how and where companies advertise.

The American Family Association, which has boycotted Target retail stores for using the word "holiday" instead of "Christmas" and Procter & Gamble over its stance on local legislation involving discrimination against gays, has reinstated a boycott to try to force Ford to stop advertising in publications aimed at gay readers.

Ford, which has a long history of working cooperatively with gay rights groups, gave no indication Tuesday that it would change its decision to continue advertising in gay media.

Last year, Ford came under criticism from gay rights groups after it decided to withdraw its Jaguar and Land Rover ads from publications aimed at gays.

The American Family Association claimed responsibility for Ford's move, and the carmaker did little at first to challenge that. But after discussions with representatives from gay and lesbian groups, Ford reversed its decision.

The American Family Association and 43 other groups then accused Ford of breaking its word and called on the company to stop the ads and end contributions to gay causes.

On Monday, American Family Association and 18 other groups reinstated the boycott against the carmaker.

"Ford reneged on the agreement to stop funding homosexual organizations and activities and advertising in homosexual media," its chairman, the Reverend Donald Wildmon, said.

But so far, Ford said, it plans to stick to its policy regarding advertising in gay media.

"We've always been open to dialogue, but our position is that we will continue treating all with respect," a spokeswoman, Kathleen Vokes, said.

Boycotts are a common technique for groups to show disapproval of corporate policies, but the actions do not often attract wide support.

While conservative groups have said their boycotts have persuaded corporations to change their marketing techniques, their influence seems questionable. Despite an announcement from the American Family Association last year that Procter & Gamble was no longer advertising on the American television shows "Will & Grace" and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy," the company continued to advertise on the programs.

"We didn't change anything," a spokesman for Procter & Gamble said.

Ford has also rejected American Family Association's claims that it persuaded the automaker to change its position on advertising in gay media. In May, the group started its first boycott of Ford for its support of gay causes. It started the Web site BoycottFord.com, which has since been reactivated. It said it had sent out 2.2 million e-mail messages urging people not to buy Ford cars and trucks.