Following AFA Boycott, McDonald's Exec Leaves Gay Group

The antigay American Family Association has ended its five-month boycott against McDonald's after a company executive resigned from a gay and lesbian business group, reports the Chicago Tribune.

The antigay American Family Association has ended its five-month boycott against McDonald's after a company executive resigned from a gay and lesbian business group, reports the Chicago Tribune.

Richard Ellis has stepped down from the board of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, and the AFA claims it's because of the stress it placed on the Oak Brook, Ill.-based company. The AFA claimed that by participating in the gay chamber, McDonald's wasn't remaining neutral "in the cultural war over homosexuality."

But a McDonald's spokesman says Ellis left the chamber because he recently left his post as vice president of U.S. communications for an executive position at McDonald's in Canada, and the gay chamber is a U.S. association. Though not officially caving to the AFA, a McDonald's spokesman distanced the corporation from the gay group.

"Richard's decision to be a member of the board was a personal decision, not a company decision," Jack Daly, McDonald's global chief communications officer, told the Tribune. Daly added that McDonald's is not a member of the chamber and that the company, which was previously a sponsor of the gay group's fund-raising gala, has no plans to be a sponsor of the event next year.

According to the AFA, McDonald's e-mailed franchise owners with the following message: "It is our policy to not be involved in political and social issues. McDonald's remains neutral on same-sex marriage or any 'homosexual agenda' as defined by the American Family Association."

The AFA's website carried the message "We appreciate the decision by McDonald's to no longer support political activity by homosexual activist organizations. You might want to thank your local McDonald's manager." (Neal Broverman, The Advocate)

Click here to follow The Advocate on Twitter. Page 1 of 1

READ COMMENTS (11) MORE \ EMAIL PRINT

RECOMMEND

Reader Comments

Back to top
Name: Miguel
Date posted: 10/14/2008 5:22:00 AM
Hometown: Barcelona, Spain

Comment:
It is incredible. You (AFA) undevalue the humanity rights, and the Christian things. All of us are equal to the God eyes, or not? Your good faith sucks, and the same for your civil values.
Back to top
Name: Nobody
Date posted: 10/14/2008 5:00:00 AM
Hometown: Nowhere

Comment:
The Country of Freedom? What a joke!
Back to top
Name: Jason
Date posted: 10/13/2008 11:51:00 AM
Hometown: Mississauga Canada

Comment:
McDonalds food is for Evangelical Chrisitians only. Gays not allowed. Got it!
Back to top
Name: Alvin Schrader
Date posted: 10/13/2008 11:46:00 AM
Hometown: Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Comment:
McD's is "neutral"? There is no such thing. As Bush II said awhile back, you're either with us or agin us. Which is to say, neutrality on gay issues is a cowardly refusal to support these civil rights issues.
Back to top
Name: jennifer
Date posted: 10/12/2008 9:16:00 PM
Hometown: columbus oh

Comment:
I used to take the grand kids to McDonald's for happy meals. Yhat will stop now as any orginization that does nothing to the haters in their empoly will not recive my money. Being trandgendered is hard enought with out being treated that way by some clown.
Back to top
Name: Micca
Date posted: 10/12/2008 6:57:00 AM
Hometown: Rockledge, Fl

Comment:
I never did like McD's food! So, my boycotting it will not help except to pass it on to my friends! What I really want to say is that these hit and miss "boycotts" are very effective but not strong enough! There has to be an organized NATIONAL boycott all over the nation and some of the other countries that share our discrimination! Too bad that I am not capable with organizational virtues... but I wish someone would take up the standard! Al
Back to top
Name: Scott
Date posted: 10/12/2008 12:41:00 AM
Hometown: Sydney, Australia

Comment:
I do not eat at McDonalds for health and taste reasons. I have been known to go to McCAfe and sometimes get fries. I will now find alternatives. While it may not be fair to McDonalds Australia they do pay money towards the Us operation for use of name etc. So I will be boycotting and getting my friends to do the same. Hopefully when McDonalds realises the International reach of incidents like this they will make concerted efforts to start treating people equally.
Back to top
Name: John
Date posted: 10/11/2008 6:47:00 PM
Hometown: St Petersburg, FL

Comment:
I rarely eat the kind of crap they sling up at McDonald's. But with a road trip vacation coming up next month where my partner and I will be driving from Florida to New York and back, it's inevitable we'll be grabbing some fast food along the way. After reading this, it won't be from McDonald's.
Back to top
Name: Patrick L.
Date posted: 10/11/2008 10:08:00 AM
Hometown: New York

Comment:
I am actually glad that the boycott by the AFA has been lifted. Now they can go back to eating McDonald's crappy fast food and dying sooner.
Back to top
Name: Gene
Date posted: 10/11/2008 12:36:00 AM
Hometown: Lake Oswego

Comment:
I was nearly run down by a driver of a SUV. I was walking on the sidewalk that passes in front of the McDonalds in Lake Grove, a neighbourhood of Lake Oswego. I had a camera with me and I stood on the sidewalk waiting to take a photo of the SUV and driver when the came out of the drive through area. I was accosted by a manager of the McDonalds demanding what I was doing. I told and also told him to go away and leave me alone. He told me I could not take photos of the restaurant. I advised him that I was on a public sidewalk and I could photograph anything I wanted. I was not on McDonalds property. I told him I wanted to take a photograph of the vehicle and driver who had nearly run me down while I was walking along the side walk. I later contacted McDonalds HQ by email a lodge a complaint about being harassed by their manager. I later received a call from the manager and he apologized for the trouble. Regardless, I have never spent another cent at McDonalds.

PREVIOUS 1 2 NEXT

More Online Only

Film Teen Spirit

While Native American cultures have long honored people of integrated genders, a new documentary looks at a shocking hate crime against a two-gendered Colorado teenager.

Politicians L.A. Confidential

What's it like to be 33, gay, and one of the most powerful people in America's second-largest city? Stressful, says Matt Szabo, the new deputy chief of staff to Los Angeles mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.

Commentary Love Bites for Twilight's Gay Fans

Gay fanpires are sure to flock to New Moon, but with questions lingering about author Stephanie Meyer and the cash she gives to the Mormon Church, Mike Albo wonders if we'd be better off tying a clove of garlic around our necks.

Youth Church Opens Doors for Homeless Gay Teens

A church-turned-shelter for homeless youth in Queens, New York is a far cry from sleeping on the streets after a $200,000 renovation and a partnership with the Ali Forney Center for LGBT youth.

Music France's Latest Export

He's opened for Britney and Katy Perry, kept Dita Von Teese company in the front row at Paris Fashion Week, and gets name-checked on Twitter by Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, and Sarah Silverman. So who the hell is Sliimy, anyway?

Prevention New Breast Health Rules Leave Out Lesbians

Now that new government guidelines are out on how to best care for your breasts, lesbians, bisexuals, and transgender women are left with a lot of questions.

Marriage Equality Triumph in the Tar Heel State

The loss of marriage equality in Maine was a major blow on Election Night, but down the coast in North Carolina there was an LGBT victory. Pam Spaulding talks to Chapel Hill's mayor-elect, Mark Kleinschmidt.

Theater Puppet Masters

When performance-art drag diva Joey Arias combines forces with master puppeteer Basil Twist, anything — no, seriously, anything — can happen.

News Softball With Oprah and Palin

Dave White recaps as Oprah plays nice with Palin in her exclusive, personality-rehabbing interview. Topics include Katie Couric ("badgering"), Levi Johnston ("Ricky Hollywood"), and step class ("gee, it's fun").

News View From Washington: Frank Tells

This week Congressman Barney Frank laid out a plan and a timetable for repealing "don't ask, don't tell..." and a reminder that he's been saying it would happen in 2010 from the beginning.

News Features Where's Mitrice?

Mitrice Richardson is a 4.0 student, a former beauty pageant contestant, and a lesbian. She’s also been missing since September, and her family and girlfriend want answers.

Theater Seat Filler

The Advocate’s queen on the New York theater scene meets bisexual conjoined twins, pits Sienna Miller against Jude Law, tastes Cheyenne Jackson’s Rainbow, and saves up for a rainy day with Hugh Jackman.

Art Fairey Good

Controversial artist Shepard Fairey spends his creative capital to bring marriage equality back to California.

Books Hot Sheet: Brüno, Ms. Jackson, and 2012

We'll let you decide whether 2012 is spectacular, Armageddon-tinged eye candy or a hot mess. Plus: A new take on gay romance with Dare.

Television Driving Miss Wanda

Love her or loathe her, drag queen Porsche sidekicks The Wanda Sykes Show into shape.

Film Crazy Like a Fox

Hipster actor Jason Schwartzman gets schooled on his gay fans and the Hollywood closet and reveals why he’s never played a gay role.

Television Viki Victorious?

Soap icon and six-time Emmy Award winner Erika Slezak talks about the trials and tribulation of playing Victoria Lord and her run for mayor, gay rights, and the sudden death that rocks Llanview.

Commentary Called to Serve

The military continues to operate under the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy, which even the Pentagon says is unsubstantiated. As General McChrystal asks for more troops in Afghanistan, one gay Navy vet offers his service to his country in spite of the policy that would deny him.

News Features Marriage Foe Tied to Pro-Gay Companies
Ford Motor Co. and Reynolds American, two companies that receive consistently high marks from the HRC, have ties with Schubert Flint Public Affairs, the firm that was instrumental in defeating marriage equality in California and Maine.

News Features A Few Good Men

In honor of Veteran's Day, two of the most famous gay vets -- Frank Kameny and Dan Choi -- share their letters from Uncle Sam.