(Washington) The conservative Christian group America Family Association launched a nationwide boycott of Ford Motor Company on Tuesday over the automaker's support for LGBT issues.
AFA has set up a website to encourage its members to register for the boycott.
"If one looks for the company which has done the most to affirm and promote the homosexual lifestyle, he would be hard-pressed to find a company which has done more than Ford Motor Company," AFA Chair Donald E. Wildmon notes on the website.
"While this is hardly known to the general population, it is well known by numerous homosexual organizations. In fact, the Human Rights Campaign (a national homosexual organization whose goal is homosexual marriage) gave Ford a 100% corporate rating."
AFA also denounces the company for supporting GLAAD, saying "Ford believes the effort to legalize homosexual marriage by the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is so important that the company is giving GLAAD up to $1,000 for every Jaguar or Land Rover (both Ford products) purchased this year."
The conservative group also complains that Ford recognizes domestic partners in its company policy, gave $5,000 last year to Detroit's Pride celebration, and regularly advertises in the gay media.
The Mississippi-based AFA claims more than 2.2 million members.
"I urge you to take action today. Sign the petition to boycott Ford. Call your local Ford, Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Jaguar, Mazda and/or Land Rover dealer (all are part of Ford Motor Company) and inform them you will not be buying a Ford product until they stop their promotion of the homosexual movement and homosexual marriage," Wildman says in email to AFA members.
Ford showed no sign Tuesday to bowing to the pressure.
"Ford Motor Company values diversity among all of its constituents," said Joe Laymon, Ford's vice president of Corporate Human Resources and Labor Affairs, in a statement.
"The Company prides itself on strong and clear values - respect for our customers, communities, employees, suppliers and dealers; acceptance of our differences; inclusion of different people with different perspectives; and integrity to always do the right thing.
"Ford values all people - regardless of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and cultural or physical differences. And we are glad to see that this spirit of inclusion is evident in the practices of other automakers who do business in this country as well. It is one of the things that makes us proud to be part of the auto industry."
