Issues@Hand
AFA initiatives, Christian activism, news briefs
March 2006 – AFA and 43 other pro-family groups have asked Ford Motor Company Chairman Bill Ford to honor the company’s commitment to stop supporting homosexual groups. The organizations also requested that Ford Motor stop supporting any group involved in the current cultural war.
AFA began a boycott of Ford last spring because the automaker was supporting the homosexual movement. At the request of several Ford dealers, however, the boycott was suspended for six months while the two sides tried to work out a compromise.
At a subsequent meeting with AFA, Ford representatives said the company would not renew current promotions or create future incentives that give cash donations to homosexual organizations based on the purchase of a vehicle. Ford also said it would stop giving cash and vehicle donations or endorsements to gay social activities such as gay pride parades.
In addition, the Ford representatives said the company would not make corporate donations to homosexual organizations that, as part of their activities, engage in political or social campaigns to promote civil unions or same-sex marriage. Finally, the company said it would cease all advertising on homosexual Web sites and in other media outlets (magazines, television, radio) in the U.S. with the exception of a small amount to be used by Volvo. The Volvo ads would be the same ads used in the general media and not aimed at the homosexual community specifically.
When homosexual groups complained, seven homosexual leaders met with Ford representatives. “At that meeting, Ford repudiated your representations to AFA and issued a public letter strongly supporting the homosexual groups,” Wildmon wrote Chairman Ford.
“After meeting with seven homosexual leaders and without any input from thousands of their dealers who stand to be adversely affected by Ford’s decision, Ford made their decision to renege on actions they told AFA they would take,” Wildmon said. “Ford’s support for these groups pushing homosexual marriage can only hurt dealers across the country. Why would Ford put the interests of seven homosexual leaders ahead of the interests of all their dealers? Simply because Ford considers these homosexual leaders more important than thousands of their dealers.”
AFA suggested that Ford get out of supporting any side in the culture war. “We strongly suggest that Ford remove itself from involvement in the culture war and apply its resources to building the best product possible,” Wildmon wrote to Chairman Ford.
“It ill serves the purpose of Ford to take sides in the culture war. It is a no-win situation. When you favor one side, you alienate the other. Leave the cultural battles to the various groups pro and con and to the politicians. Apply your energy and your resources to building better automobiles. This policy would benefit not only Ford, your employees and your dealers, but society as a whole.” 
