McDonalds ends gay chamber support, group ends boycott

The American Family Association has ended its boycott of McDonalds, over the hamburger company's membership in the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. From the AFA website:

McDonald's has told AFA they will remain neutral in the culture war regarding homosexual marriage. AFA is ending the boycott of McDonald's. As you know, AFA called for the boycott in May after McDonald's joined the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC).

McDonald's said McDonald's Vice President Richard Ellis has resigned his position on the board of NGLCC and that his seat on the board will not be replaced. McDonald's also said that the company has no plans to renew their membership in NGLCC when it expires in December.

In an e-mail to McDonald's franchised owners the company said, "It is our policy to not be involved in political and social issues. McDonald's remains neutral on same sex marriage or any 'homosexual agenda' as defined by the American Family Association."

We appreciate the decision by McDonald's to no longer support political activity by homosexual activist organizations. You might want to thank your local McDonald's manager.

Comments

[torqueflite]

I was infuriated when I read this. Earlier this month, after McDonald's originally had blown off AFA in a statement responding to the boycott, I had sent them an email in praise of their actions. Today, I tried to them the following message, but their "contact us" is now so convoluted that I don't think it went through even after repeated tries. Here's what I said:

"Re: Cave-in on AFA boycott

I was extremely disappointed to learn that McDonald's caved in to the American Family Assn's mean-spirited boycott of your stores and products. I understand from a posting on a MIAMI HERALD blog that your vice president has resigned from the board of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) and that the company stated it will no longer support 'a homosexual agenda.' I had believed from your earlier courageous statement supporting the NGLCC that McDonald's was committed to fairness and equality for all citizens.

Please respond to me in this regard either by mail or at my email address. Thanks.

Regards, . . ."

[torqueflite]

Just following up...here's yesterday's release on the NGLCC website:

"Like all our corporate relationships, McDonald’s USA has been a good partner with the Chamber. There has been no discussion between the NGLCC and McDonalds regarding continuing membership, nor has the NGLCC been notified of any move not to renew our work together." In searching the web, I can't find any public statement from McDonald's on the subject, so we are left with AFA's and NGLCC's very different takes on the matter until further notice.

[torqueflite]

A somewhat more neutral version of events on the Chicago Tribune today:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/chi-fri-mcdonalds-boycott-oct10,0,2009019.story

[torqueflite]

One more note on this topic. AFA allows comments, but it only publishes remarks that support its positions, and it just lifts the quotes it wants on the article without crediting the commenter.