Ford released a letter today reaffirming support for the LGBT community

[kweerwolf]

(From the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force)

In a statement released today, Ford reaffirmed its commitment to its progressive workplace policies, said it would place corporate advertising in LGBT publications on behalf of all of its brands, including Jaguar and Land Rover, and would continue financial support for LGBT organizations and events consistent with its business condition. In response, a broad coalition of LGBT organizations issued a statement commending Ford for its actions (the statement appears below). Visit www.media.ford.com to read Ford's statement or click here to download a pdf of the letter.

[wtmusic]

1. All the fundies who just dropped $80K on a new Jag

are having coronaries. :rofl:

[MidwestTransplant]

2. Still not buying another Ford. During the innaguration, the CFO said

that they may not have contributed if Kerrey had won. Thus I see purchasing a Ford as a defacto contribution to Republicans.

[Oceansaway]

3. i agree...n/t

[Ian David]

7. Same here. Would it be bad form to tell them that right now? n/t

[BR_Parkway]

8. Form Motor Co Civil Action PAC gave 84% to ReThugs last cycle

http://opensecrets.org/pacs/look...6474&cycle=2004

http://herndon1.sdrdc.com/cgi-bi...cimg/? C00046474

[Ian David]

4. Duplicate. Delete. n/t

[Ian David]

5. Duplicate. Delete. n/t

[Ian David]

6. Press Release from The NGLTF

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Press Release

MEDIA CONTACT:
Roberta Sklar
917.704.6358 (cell); 646.358.1465 (office)
[e-mail]
********************************************

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Commends Ford Motor Company

Hails 'reaffirmation of commitment to our community and American
values'

Ford Motor Company released a letter today reaffirming its
support for the LGBT community

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 -- In a statement released today, Ford
reaffirmed its commitment to its progressive workplace policies,
said it would place corporate advertising in LGBT publications
on behalf of all of its brands, including Jaguar and Land Rover,
and would continue financial support for LGBT organizations and
events consistent with its business condition. In response, a
broad coalition of LGBT organizations issued a statement
commending Ford for its actions (the statement appears below).
Visit http://www.media.ford.com to read Ford's statement or
visit
http://www.thetaskforce.org/downloads/FordLetter12-14-2005.pdf
to download a pdf of the letter.

Statement by Matt Foreman, Executive Director
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

"We applaud Ford Motor for taking such a firm stand on behalf of
our community -- pledging to continue support for our
community's organizations and events, and increasing -- not
decreasing -- its advertising in our community's publications to
include all Ford brands. This is a very positive, welcome
outcome."

Coalition Statement

"We welcome today's statement from Ford Motor Company and
commend their firm stance in support of inclusion. It is an
unequivocal reaffirmation of Ford's historic commitment to our
community and the core American values of fairness and equality.
Moreover, it is conclusive proof of what Ford leaders have
repeatedly assured us -- that there never was any deal with
anti-LGBT organizations concerning Ford's support for our
community.

We are proud to be back in gear with Ford and look forward to
working with them in the years ahead."

Signatories

AMERICAblog.com
Commercial Closet Association
Family Pride
Freedom to Marry
Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)
Gay and Lesbian Leadership Institute
Gay and Lesbian Medical Association
Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)
Human Rights Campaign
Mautner Project, the National Lesbian Health Organization
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual & Transgender Community Center (NYC)
Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center
National Black Justice Coalition
National Center for Lesbian Rights
National Center for Transgender Equality
National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
National Minority AIDS Council
National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC)
Out & Equal Workplace Advocates
PFLAG National (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays)
Pride at Work
Servicemembers Legal Defense Network
Triangle Foundation
World Congress of GLBT Jews: Keshet Ga'ava

Background

The controversy erupted on Dec. 1, 2005, when the American
Family Association (AFA) officially announced it was dropping
its threat of a boycott, saying Ford "heard our concerns; they
are acting on our concerns. We are pleased with where we are."
The next day, a Ford spokesperson appeared to confirm an
agreement by saying the company would stop advertising its
Jaguar and Land Rover brands in gay publications. AFA is an
extremist anti-LGBT organization that routinely threatens
boycotts against LGBT-supportive companies, television programs
it does not like, and even cartoon characters such as SpongeBob.

On Dec. 5, 18 leading LGBT organizations issued a statement
calling upon Ford to disavow any agreement with AFA, to reaffirm
its commitment to the LGBT community and to meet with the LGBT
community and resolve the issue. As a result of that statement,
Ford Motor executives met with LGBT community representatives,
including Task Force Executive Director Matt Foreman, in
Washington, D.C., on Dec. 12. There, Ford said it would issue a
statement based on the topics discussed, and the comprehensive
statement released today was the result.

The Task Force was a leader in organizing the coalition of
groups meeting to respond and to resolve the controversy.

-30-

***********************************************************************

Founded in 1973, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Foundation (the Task Force) was the first national lesbian, gay,
bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights and advocacy
organization and remains the movement's leading voice for
freedom, justice and equality. We work to build the grassroots
political strength of our community by training state and local
activists and leaders, working to strengthen the infrastructure
of state and local allies, and organizing broad-based campaigns
to build public support for complete equality for LGBT people.
Our Policy Institute, the community's premier think tank,
provides research and policy analysis to support the struggle
for complete equality. As part of a broader social justice
movement, we work to create a world that respects and makes
visible the diversity of human expression and identity where all
people may fully participate in society. Headquartered in
Washington, D.C., we also have offices in New York City, Los
Angeles, Cambridge, Mass., and Miami. The Task Force is a
501(c)(3) corporation incorporated in Washington, D.C.
Contributions to the Task Force are tax deductible to the full
extent allowed by law.

Copyright(c) 2005 National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Creating Change(TM) is a trademark of the National Gay and
Lesbian Task Force.
All other trademarks mentioned herein belong to their respective
owners.
The Task Force Foundation is a non-profit 501(c)(3)
organization. Tax ID #52-1624852.
--------------------------------------------------

If you received this message from a friend, you can sign up for
National Gay and Lesbian Task Force at:

http://ga4.org/taskforce/join.html?r=S71zvAF1nRugE

[Rowdyboy]

9. Thats an interesting turnabout, now isn't it.....

Perhaps they starting adding up who has the disposable income to drop those big bucks on a Jag.

[kweerwolf]

10. I keep checking AFA's web site ...

I wanna see the fundies and wingnuts go batshit when they read the statement.
:rofl:

[terrya]

12. I am so proud of John Aravosis right now.

A lot of people worked hard for this. But I have to single our John Aravosis of americablog.com for working so hard to getting people mobilized on this. I made my share of phone calls and sent some emails to various Ford executives. But that's nothing. John Aravosis did it again. He got the gay community to help cancel Laura Schlessinger's television show...and he did it again with Ford and the AFA. Our community is fortuate indeed to have John Aravosis on our side. :-)

[Lex]

14. He's such a good, smart guy

and has a great, activist blog.

www.americablog.com

[NoAmericanTaliban]

11. Nothing speaks louder than money

A number of folks didn't by Fords or cancelled their order & told Ford they did it because of they changed their stance on the 'gay issue' after Ford caved into the AFA.

[Ian David]

13. Still boycotting Ford for other reasons. Too little, too late

BMW (Bayerische Motoren Werke AG)
Nissan Motor Co., Ltd
Subaru (Fuji Heavy Industries Ltd)
Toyota Motor Corporation
Volkswagen AG
Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
Kia Motors Corporation

All of those companies above made zero political contributions.

And Toyota has a much better environmental record. For example, there's the cute little Toyota Prius Hybrid that I drive.

Hyundai Motor Company only donated $1,258 to Republicans

Ford Motor Company donated $420,622 to Republicans

General Motors Company donated $415,365 to Republicans

http://www.buyblue.org/directory/33

[NoAmericanTaliban]

15. How much did they donate to the Democrates?

[Ian David]

16. About 1/3 of that. Follow the link.

$123,828 to Democrats
$420,622 to Republicans
$0 to Others
$544,450 in Total Contributions

[jackpan1260]

17. Good!