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Started by Susan, December 14, 2005, 05:29:36 PM
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Quote from: Valerie on December 06, 2005, 09:51:02 AMWell, not sure if this should haven gone under another topic heading, but here it is anyway....'Ford Says Ends Ads in Gay Publications"http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051206/ap_on_bi_ge/ford_boycott_1;_ylt=AgCJrfIuGEjM2TtgYUoLJxhdlakA;_ylu=X3oDMTBiMW04NW9mBHNlYwMlJVRPUCUlWhat got to me was this line here: "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." What i put in bold-type....I mean does this or does this not strike you as over the edge....boycotting a company in part because they hire gay employees? Does this mean they think homosexuals shouldn't have jobs at all? They're supposed to just quit being gay or wither away and get poor and die? GGrrrr...... Valerie
Quote from: December 14, 2005 Matt Foreman, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign Neil Giuliano, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation Craig Bowman, National Youth Advocacy Coalition Jody Huckaby, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays Alexander Robinson, National Black Justice Coalition Jeff Montgomery, Triangle Foundation Dear Friends: Thank you again for taking the time to speak with us on Monday. In my view, it was the start of a valuable and healthy dialogue, and I was pleased to be there on behalf of Bill Ford, Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Company. My intention was to be as direct and forthright. You deserve no less. I appreciate your candor in return. I'd like to take this opportunity to review the information we shared face-to-face and to tell you how our thinking has evolved. You asked us specifically to reaffirm our principles of nondiscrimination and inclusiveness. We agreed, without any reservations, and issued a statement immediately after the meeting in which Bill Ford did so personally. We pointed out that Ford Motor Company and its brands value diversity among all of our constituents and pride ourselves 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. That commitment is unchanged and we believe it is reflected in our policies, practices and marketing. You asked us to comment on reports that we had placed creative restrictions on the way our brands could speak to gay and lesbian audiences. We expect our brands to create advertising that supports their brand image and is appropriate and effective in connecting with the intended audience. That is unchanged. But we do not have to deal with this topic in the abstract. The best answer to your question will be in the ads themselves. I would ask you to judge our intent by what you see. You asked directly whether Ford Motor Company will continue to support nonprofit groups and events in the GLBT community. While we will still support certain events, I know you understand that the business situation will limit the extent of our support in all communities in 2006. We will continue all of our workplace policies and practices in support of Ford GLOBE members and supporters. That is unchanged. You asked directly for us to have Jaguar and Land Rover reverse its plans and advertise in gay and lesbian targeted publications in 2006. As we said, Jaguar and Land Rover made a business decision about their media plans and it would be inconsistent with the way we manage our business to direct them to do otherwise. It is clear there is a misperception about our intent. As a result, we have decided to run corporate ads in these targeted publications that will include not only Jaguar/Land Rover but all eight of Ford's vehicle brands. As we have said, the content will be appropriate and effective in connecting with the intended audience. 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 behind us. Finally, you expressed your strong objections to our having even met with one of your harshest critics. We meet every day with people and organizations on many issues, and, as a business, do not wish be drawn into those that detract from our effectiveness in the marketplace. That said, we expect to be measured not by the meetings we conduct but by our conduct itself. Our record on tolerance and inclusion speaks for itself and I am proud to be judged on that record at any time. In closing, thank you again for your candor and professionalism. We listened and learned, and hope that you continue to understand the values and commitments of Ford Motor Company. I look forward to hearing from you at any time. Sincerely, Joe Laymon
Quote from: My name is Susan Larson and I am one of those gay, lesbian, bisexual, or transgender(GLBT) individuals who applauds your choice to restore your advertising that caters to people like me. I currently drive a 1998 Ford Contour SE and it's a dream. This is my second Ford car. Up until I heard the decision to back away from the American Family Association (AFA)'s statement that Ford would: 1. No longer run ads promoting Jaguar or Land Rover in the gay press. 2. No longer support gay events or organizations. 3. Continue running Volvo ads in the gay press, but no longer tailor those ads to the gay community (i.e., in the future such ads would be the same ads that are run in the mainstream media, rather than the crafting the ads to appeal to a gay readership). I had decided I would never buy another Ford product again. I have changed my mind after hearing that in a letter from Joe Laymon that Ford would: 1. Ford announced that it will continue to support gay organizations and gay events in the coming year and beyond. 2. Ford is going to run advertisements in the gay media NOT ONLY promoting the Jaguar and Land Rover brands, but the ads will promote ALL of Fords brands, by name, including Jaguar and Land Rover. 3. Ford states unequivocally that it will continue to tailor its ads for the specific audience it is trying to reach, and then goes one step further. Ford challenges us to keep an eye out on their upcoming ads in order to verify that they will in fact be tailored. I would even recommend expanding planned advertising and supporting them. Many people in the United States living otherwise normal lives are GLBT. They live in a state of fear due to the persecution that GLBT individuals face. They still respond positively to those that support others like them even if they will not admit that they are a part of the group.
QuoteThank you for writing. At Ford we value diversity among all of our constituents and pride ourselves on strong and clear values with 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. We value all people, regardless of their race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and cultural or physical differences. This is a strong commitment we intend to carry forward with no exception. We are pleased to clear up any misperceptions and get back to doing what we do best - building the best cars and trucks in America. Thank you again for contacting Ford. Respectfully, Customer Relationship Center Ford Motor Company
Quote from: Stephanie Craxford on December 23, 2005, 12:44:09 PMHa, ha, just got this email from Ford today:
