Ford pulls LR/Jag GLBT support due to American Family threat - Page 6

Ghoulish Delight · 12-07-2005, 05:01 PM

While I do find negotiating with the AFA distasteful, I have to agree with iSm and Alex in one regard. I don't see gay-specific advertising as a hugely supportive element for the gay community. I think the community is better served by things like an ad for a TLC show I saw recently. It was one of their myriad reality shows about come aspect of couple-dom or other. Not about gay couples specifically, but the ad lead off with a clip from an episode about a gay couple, and went on to show a few other couples (I believe the rest were straight couples, but I'm not positive). It wasn't "Hey gays, here's a gay show about gay people. If you like gayity, watch our gay show!" It was, "Here's a show about couples. Here's a couple, here's another couple, and here's another couple."

Yes, supporting gays is hardly a huge leap for TLC, but I was particularly struck by that ad. To me, that's a MUCH bigger step for the gay community. Mainstream exposure, in no way differentiated in presentation from anybody else.

I think an important question to ask Ford is, why don't I see those nice looking couples in the above ad in the Sunday Times? As I see it, they were doing a disservice to the community long before this alleged agreement. Sure they came out with some good, "we don't discriminate" statments, and yet they sure were keen to keep those photos of gay couples enjoying their product away from the general public where, thank the marketing gods, only gay people would see them.

Gn2Dlnd · 12-07-2005, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

While you were on the phone with Ford, did you compliment them for offering same-sex partnership benefits to their gay employees?

No, any more than I would compliment them on their policy of offering partnership benefits to any of their employees.

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Did you find out if they are cancelling any sponsorships of gay events? Did you ask why Volvo will continue to advertise in The Advocate, while Jaguar and Range Rover will not? Did you find out whether Ford ever advertises in The Advocate for its own brand of vehicles? And did you inquire whether market research showed gay-specific advertising to be any more effective than non-specific advertising?

No. I only addressed what I read in the AP article. To quote:

Quote:

Ford's move came nearly a week after the Tupelo, Miss.-based American Family Association canceled a boycott of Ford vehicles that began in May, when the group criticized Ford for being too gay-friendly.

"We are ending the boycott of Ford," association Chairman Donald Wildmon said in a statement Wednesday on the group's Web site. "While we still have a few differences with Ford, we feel that our concerns are being addressed in good faith and will continue to be addressed in the future."

The American Family Association first announced the boycott against Ford and related brands on May 31. The group said Ford gave thousands of dollars to gay rights groups, offered benefits to same-sex couples and actively recruited gay employees.

After a spring meeting with a group of Ford dealers, the association said in June that it was suspending its boycott until at least the beginning of December.

The Human Rights Campaign, the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation and other gay rights groups expressed concern about reports there was a secret deal between Ford and the American Family Association to end Ford's advertising in gay media.

I said what I've said here, Ford has every right to advertise to whom they want. I have every right to be concerned when major U.S. corporations take the time to meet with people who promote intolerance. If you'd like those questions asked, why don't you call Ford? Do you think people on a chat board have any more insight than the woman in Bangalore that took my call?

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Sorry to be facetious about this, Gn2Dlnd

Really?

BarTopDancer · 12-07-2005, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

I think an important question to ask Ford is, why don't I see those nice looking couples in the above ad in the Sunday Times? As I see it, they were doing a disservice to the community long before this alleged agreement. Sure they came out with some good, "we don't discriminate" statments, and yet they sure were keen to keep those photos of gay couples enjoying their product away from the general public where, thank the marketing gods, only gay people would see them.

You must spread some Mojo around before giving it to Ghoulish Delight again.

Sorry Greg, you forgot to hack the code so you could get repeat mojo.

Ghoulish Delight · 12-07-2005, 05:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarTopDancer

You must spread some Mojo around before giving it to Ghoulish Delight again.

Sorry Greg, you forgot to hack the code so you could get repeat mojo.

Just send me a PM next time and I'll go ahead and manually add it in.

wendybeth · 12-07-2005, 06:26 PM

I dislike anyone caving to blackmail, which is what they appear to have done. I find it nearly as distasteful as the actual act of economic blackmail done under the guise of morality, or any one groups' definition of morality.

Alex · 12-07-2005, 06:35 PM

Out of curiosity, would you then find it distasteful if, simply in response to organized protest by gay groups, Ford reinstated the advertising?

wendybeth · 12-07-2005, 06:40 PM

I think it would be stupid*, not distasteful, Alex. Too much like "Oh, yeah? Well, we can do that, too!" I would try a more direct approach, like publicizing the apparent cave by Ford, and to shed light on the tactics of such groups as AFA and others.

*For the gay groups to retaliate in kind. Truth be told, there is little Ford could do in my estimation to make me buy one of their cars, since they suck.

Cadaverous Pallor · 12-07-2005, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wendybeth

I dislike anyone caving to blackmail, which is what they appear to have done. I find it nearly as distasteful as the actual act of economic blackmail done under the guise of morality, or any one groups' definition of morality.

Eh, they're just saying they wouldn't support the purchase of their products. That's not blackmail. Everyone has a choice to pay or not to pay, and others have a choice to follow purchasing recommendations by groups such as this one.

(disclaimer - doesn't mean I'm ok with all this...)

wendybeth · 12-07-2005, 06:54 PM

I realise that, CP- but it's not like these guys just sit around saying "That's it- I refuse to buy their prods!" No, they run around lobbying, garnering press and doing everything they possibly can to achieve their goal, which in this case is to pretend that there is no such thing as a gay consumer. Remember the Baptist boycott against Disney? I got real sick and tired of deleting those assholes' comments from the petition- they pissed me off so much that even if God appeared today and said he was Baptist, I'd have to decline.

CoasterMatt · 12-07-2005, 07:13 PM

I ran over a Volvo with a Chevy truck in college... Does that count for anything?

12-07-2005, 05:01 PM	#51
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	While I do find negotiating with the AFA distasteful, I have to agree with iSm and Alex in one regard. I don't see gay-specific advertising as a hugely supportive element for the gay community. I think the community is better served by things like an ad for a TLC show I saw recently. It was one of their myriad reality shows about come aspect of couple-dom or other. Not about gay couples specifically, but the ad lead off with a clip from an episode about a gay couple, and went on to show a few other couples (I believe the rest were straight couples, but I'm not positive). It wasn't "Hey gays, here's a gay show about gay people. If you like gayity, watch our gay show!" It was, "Here's a show about couples. Here's a couple, here's another couple, and here's another couple." Yes, supporting gays is hardly a huge leap for TLC, but I was particularly struck by that ad. To me, that's a MUCH bigger step for the gay community. Mainstream exposure, in no way differentiated in presentation from anybody else. I think an important question to ask Ford is, why don't I see those nice looking couples in the above ad in the Sunday Times? As I see it, they were doing a disservice to the community long before this alleged agreement. Sure they came out with some good, "we don't discriminate" statments, and yet they sure were keen to keep those photos of gay couples enjoying their product away from the general public where, thank the marketing gods, only gay people would see them. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
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12-07-2005, 06:26 PM	#55
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I dislike anyone caving to blackmail, which is what they appear to have done. I find it nearly as distasteful as the actual act of economic blackmail done under the guise of morality, or any one groups' definition of morality. __________________
	Submit to Quotes

12-07-2005, 06:35 PM	#56
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Out of curiosity, would you then find it distasteful if, simply in response to organized protest by gay groups, Ford reinstated the advertising?
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12-07-2005, 06:40 PM	#57
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I think it would be stupid, not distasteful, Alex. Too much like "Oh, yeah? Well, we can do that, too!" I would try a more direct approach, like publicizing the apparent cave by Ford, and to shed light on the tactics of such groups as AFA and others. For the gay groups to retaliate in kind. Truth be told, there is little Ford could do in my estimation to make me buy one of their cars, since they suck. __________________
	Submit to Quotes

12-07-2005, 06:54 PM	#59
wendybeth Nevermind Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 7,847	I realise that, CP- but it's not like these guys just sit around saying "That's it- I refuse to buy their prods!" No, they run around lobbying, garnering press and doing everything they possibly can to achieve their goal, which in this case is to pretend that there is no such thing as a gay consumer. Remember the Baptist boycott against Disney? I got real sick and tired of deleting those assholes' comments from the petition- they pissed me off so much that even if God appeared today and said he was Baptist, I'd have to decline. __________________
	Submit to Quotes

12-07-2005, 07:13 PM	#60
CoasterMatt BRAAAAAAAINS! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: One Step Beyond... Posts: 8,802	I ran over a Volvo with a Chevy truck in college... Does that count for anything? __________________ Do you like my photography? Visit photosbymatt.tumblr.com to purchase prints!
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