We knew it was only a matter of time before Ford Motor Co. saw the multi-colored light, but they sure didn't take long. Ford will once again advertise in gay publications, and just to be clear -- Ford will now "expand the scope" of their advertising in gay publications.
"Senior Ford executives met with the leadership of national gay and lesbian organizations on Monday in Washington, D.C."
And I'd sure like to know how many outraged phone calls and emails Ford has been deluged with.
You can be sure the rightwing nuts at the American Family Association (AFA) will be doing some serious whining tonight. Ford met with the AFA shortly before announcing that it would no longer advertise in gay publications. The boycott-crazy American Family Association then cancelled its boycott of Ford vehicles.
But the news isn't all bad for the busy little bigots at the AFA. Now they'll have more time for their miserable War on the Holidays.
Below is an excerpt from the Associated Press story, and you know Americablog has lots more.
AP:
WASHINGTON (AP) -- Ford Motor Co. said Wednesday it would reinstate and expand the scope of its advertising in gay publications after criticism from gay rights groups.
Ford said in a letter it would restore advertising for its luxury Jaguar and Land Rover brands in gay publications and run corporate ads marketing all eight of its vehicle brands in the publications.
"It is my hope that this will remove any ambiguity about Ford's desire to advertise to all important audiences and put this particular issue to rest," wrote Joe Laymon, Ford's group vice president for corporate human resources.
Last week, Ford had said it would no longer advertise its luxury vehicles in several gay publications, citing a need to reduce its marketing costs across the board.
Gay groups asked Ford to restore the advertising -- and suggested a connection between the cutback and pressure from conservative groups. Ford said there was no connection.
In late November, the American Family Association had canceled a boycott of Ford vehicles, which had been announced in May when the organization criticized the nation's No. 2 automaker for making contributions to gay rights groups, offering benefits to same-sex partners and recruiting gay employees.
Several gay rights groups said the move created the perception that Ford had struck a deal with the AFA to reduce its advertising in gay publications. Gay leaders met with Ford on Monday and asked that the automaker reinstitute the advertising and distance itself from the Mississippi-based AFA. . .
Ford, General Motors Corp. and DaimlerChrysler AG introduced same-sex domestic partner benefits in 2000.
You can say thanks to Ford here.
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