-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: "Autumn Sandeen" <changing_seasons@...>
To: "GLBT_News" <GLBT_News@yahoogroups.com>
Subject: [Lambda-Rainbow-GLBT-NEWS] glbtqi news and commentary (12/6/2005-1)
Date: Tue, 6 Dec 2005 07:06:17 +0000
1.a.  Ford Averts Potential Boycott
1.b.  Jaguar, Land Rover ads halted in gay media, Ford confirms
1.c.  PFLAG Joins Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)
Organizations to Call for Urgent Meeting with Ford Motor Company
2.  Large Investment Fund Promises Support for Gay Rights
3.  Senate to debate fuel tax increases
4.  Article put speakers at risk


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Article quote: "We are ending the boycott of Ford. 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."
--Donald E. Wildmon, Chairman of American Family Association

1.a.  Ford Averts Potential Boycott

By Cliff Banks and Steve Miller
WardsAuto.com
Nov 30 2005

http://wardsauto.com/ar/auto_ford_averts_potential/index.htm

With dealer help, Ford is able to avoid a boycott by the American
Family Assn.

Ford Motor Co. has averted a boycott scheduled for Dec. 1 by the
American Family Assn. (AFA), Ward's has learned.

The proposed boycott, which was halted in June, a few weeks after
its start, was in protest of what the AFA calls an "enthusiastic"
support of the gay rights agenda.

In averting the AFA boycott, Ford may have made some concessions in
its policy of advertising and support of gay publications and
community activities, but neither side will comment on the details
of the truce.

In a Nov. 29 meeting at AFA headquarters in Tupelo, MS, David
Leitch, general counsel and vice president for Ford, and Ziad
Ojakli, group vice president-Corporate Affairs, along with
Dallas-area Ford dealer Jerry Reynolds, hammered out a deal.

"We are ending the boycott of Ford," said Donald E. Wildmon,
Chairman of AFA. "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."

A Ford spokesman says the two parties had a "broad discussion" and
deferred to the AFA to announce the reconciliation details.

According to a list of demands on AFA's website, the organization
insisted Ford and all of its brands stop donating - whether with
cash, vehicles or endorsements - to homosexual social activities.

This includes donations to "gay pride" parades and pride weekend
celebrations; homosexual organizations such as the Gay and Lesbian
Alliance Against Defamation, Human Rights Campaign and the National
Gay and Lesbian Task Force; and ending all advertising on homosexual
websites and other gay media outlets.

In an interview prior to Nov. 29 meeting, AFA's Special Projects
Director Randy Sharp indicated that while Ford had made some
positive changes, there was a key point still to be resolved that
was non-negotiable. He declined to specify the issue added, "We've
made it very clear that if Ford does not move on this one issue, the
AFA will reinstate the boycott with renewed vigor."

AFA initially launched the boycott on May 31, decrying the auto
maker's advertising in gay and lesbian-specific publications, along
with corporate donations to gay and lesbian organizations.

The conservative Christian organization agreed to suspend the
boycott until Dec. 1 after meeting in June with several dealers,
including Reynolds in Dallas.

"We believe the dealers were making a good faith effort to work out
this dispute," Wildmon says on the organization's website.
"Therefore, we accepted the suspension request and will work with
the dealers in attempting to resolve our differences."

The 6-month hold on the boycott was initiated by Reynolds in a
letter to Wildmon in early June after hearing about the boycott,
sources close to the negotiations say. That meeting led to two
subsequent meetings in Tupelo, including Tuesday's talks.

Ford has monitored the situation, hoping to avoid the boycott.

"We are fortunate that we have had some dealers, particularly in the
Southwest, who have stepped in and helped us to reach a common
meeting of the minds," Jim Padilla, Ford's president and COO tells
Ward's in an October interview.

"We would expect that our approach is rational. And to the extent
that AFA has issues, which I do not expect, then we will work our
way through with them.

"I think we have a far better understanding of their issues, and I
think they have an appreciation that Ford wants to be open and
receptive to all potential customers."

In tackling Ford, the AFA was hoping the auto maker's dealers would
embrace its "family values" approach and exert pressure on Ford to
agree to its demands.

The AFA claims 2.6 million members and uses boycotts as a means of
leverage against companies it disagrees with. Its fiscal 2004 tax
return shows $14 million in revenue, almost all of it through
private donations.

The non-profit group owns and operates its own Christian radio
network, American Family Radio, with 200 stations and affiliates in
37 states. AFA also publishes the AFA Journal, with circulation
approaching 200,000.

mailto:cbanks@...

C 2005, Primedia Business Magazines and Media, a PRIMEDIA company.
All rights reserved.

----------

1.b.  Jaguar, Land Rover ads halted in gay media, Ford confirms

Advocate.com/Sirius OutQ News
12/03/05-12/05/05

http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid23064.asp

The antigay American Family Association claimed a cultural victory
on Thursday and called off its threatened boycott of Ford Motor Co.
On Friday, Ford spokesman Mike Moran confirmed to Advocate.com that
the company will stop advertising its Jaguar and Land Rover brands
in gay publications but insisted it was strictly a business
decision.

The Dearborn, Mich., automaker came under fire from the AFA in May
for its longtime efforts to increase LGBT workplace diversity and
support gay rights causes. Ford has long been a regular advertiser
within gay media, including The Advocate, and has donated
significant sums to LGBT causes and nonprofit groups such as the
Human Rights Campaign.

Threatened with a boycott by the Mississippi-based AFA, Ford and
some of its dealers agreed to negotiate, and the AFA announced in
June that it would hold off on its planned action. On Thursday, AFA
announced the boycott would be canceled altogether.

"They've heard our concerns; they are acting on our concerns. We are
pleased with where we are," said Donald Wildmon, AFA's chairman, in
a statement. "Obviously there are still some small matters of
difference, as people will always have, but generally speaking, we
are pleased with the results-and therefore the boycott that had been
suspended [is] now officially ended."

Specific terms of any formal agreement between the AFA and Ford-and
whether any such agreement has in fact been reached-remain unclear.

When first contacted, Ford spokesman Moran referred Advocate.com to
the AFA statement, suggesting that the company had no disagreement
with Wildmon's assertions. In a second conversation he confirmed
that the company would no longer advertise Jaguar and Land Rover
products in the gay media, saying that the decision was strictly
"business."

"In all cases, we review this issue from a business perspective in
regards to advertising," Moran said. "Ford, Lincoln, and Mercury
[brands] did not advertise in gay publications anyway. At this time,
Jaguar and Land Rover will not do so going forward." He added that
Volvo will still advertise in gay publications because the company
believes it's an effective strategy for that market.

Detroit carmakers are facing tough economic times across the board,
Moran pointed out. On Friday, The Wall Street Journal reported that
Ford plans to shut five North American plants that employ 7,500
workers. On Thursday, the company said its total U.S. vehicle sales
in November fell by 15%.

Moran would not give further details on any agreement between Ford
and the AFA, nor would he confirm that such an agreement existed.
"Some months ago we began a constructive dialogue with them, just as
we do with all other customers and interest groups," he said. "While
we don't agree on all issues, we expect the dialogue to continue so
that we understand each other better."

According to a list of demands on AFA's Web site, the organization
insisted that Ford and all of its brands stop donating cash,
vehicles, and endorsements to gay social activities. This includes
donations to pride celebrations and groups such as the Gay and
Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, the Human Rights Campaign, and
the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force. AFA says those groups have
received contributions from Ford in the past.

Whether such sponsorship deals-in which Ford brands are given
visibility by nonprofit groups and at LGBT events in return for
donations-will continue, Moran could not say.

Comment on Ford's announcement is expected soon from HRC, GLAAD, and
the Task Force over the weekend or early next week, but none was
prepared to make a statement by close of business on Friday.

The AFA has said it reserves the right to reinstate the boycott if
it feels Ford has not met its expectations. (Advocate.com/Sirius
OutQ News)

Associated Press material C Associated Press. All rights reserved.

----------

1.c.  PFLAG Joins Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT)
Organizations to Call for Urgent Meeting with Ford Motor Company

12/5/2005
Source: Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG)

To: National Desk

Contact: Jean-Marie Navetta of Parents, Families and Friends of
Lesbians and Gays, 202-467-8180, ext. 213 or jnavetta@...

http://releases.usnewswire.com/GetRelease.asp?id=57640

WASHINGTON, Dec. 5 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Parents, Families and Friends
of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) joined with GLBT organizations to issue
a unity statement regarding media reports that Ford Motor Company
has entered into a confidential agreement with the American Family
Association to discontinue Ford's advertisements in LGBT media:

"We are deeply dismayed by reports in the media and otherwise that
the Ford Motor Company has entered into a confidential agreement
with the extremist American Family Association (AFA) that requires
Ford to stop advertising in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
(LGBT) media. If there is an agreement with AFA, we expect Ford to
disavow it. We expect Ford to publicly reaffirm its historic support
for our community. And, we expect Ford to meet with LGBT
representatives this week to resolve these concerns."

Organizations signing the unity statement include:

Family Pride

Freedom to Marry

Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD)

Gay and Lesbian Medical Association

Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network (GLSEN)

Human Rights Campaign

Mautner Project, the National Lesbian Health Organization

Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund

Lesbian and Gay Rights Project, American Civil Liberties Union

National Black Justice Coalition

National Center for Lesbian Rights

National Center for Transgender Equality

National Coalition of Anti-Violence Programs

National Gay and Lesbian Task Force

National Youth Advocacy Coalition (NYAC)

Out & Equal Workplace Advocates

PFLAG National (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)

Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

Triangle Foundation

---

Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG) is the
nation's foremost family-based organization committed to the civil
rights of gays, lesbians, bisexual and transgender persons. Founded
in 1973 by mothers and fathers, PFLAG has 200,000 members and
supporters in more than 500 chapters throughout the United States.
For more information, please visit http://www.pflag.org .

http://www.usnewswire.com/

-0-

/C 2005 U.S. Newswire

----------

Article excerpt: As an example, Vanguard is the 4th largest
shareholder in Exxon Mobil, which does not provide protections for
gay and lesbian employees, and is the only company on record to have
revoked such protections for its employees following the merger of
Exxon and Mobil.

2.  Large Investment Fund Promises Support for Gay Rights

December 5, 2005
Gayapolis

http://www.gayapolis.com/news/artdisplay.php?artid=574

In response to a campaign by an organization supporting rights for
gay and lesbian individuals, Vanguard, one of the largest mutual
fund companies in the United States, has committed to supporting
policies banning discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation.

The Equality Forum, through its Fortune 500 Project, has sought to
get commitments from all of the Fortune 500 companies to provide
protections for employees against discrimination on the basis of
sexual orientation. Currently, 460 of the Fortune 500 companies
provide these protections.

As part of their campaign, Equality Forum contacted some of the
largest mutual funds companies and institutional investors regarding
the policies, as they are some of the largest shareholders in
Fortune 500 companies. As an example, Vanguard is the 4th largest
shareholder in Exxon Mobil, which does not provide protections for
gay and lesbian employees, and is the only company on record to have
revoked such protections for its employees following the merger of
Exxon and Mobil.

In their letter committing to support of such proposals, Vanguard
cites the expectation to non-discrimination policies will contribute
to the profitability of companies. "We believe that fully inclusive
employment policies may be reasonably expected to contribute
positively to shareholder value," said Glenn Booream, Principal &
Assistant Fund Controller for Vanguard.

"Vanguard is the gold standard for protecting shareholder value,"
said Malcolm Lazin, Executive Director of Equality Forum. "After
discussions with Equality Forum, Vanguard determined that a
supportive workplace for gay and lesbian employees helps maximize
shareholder interest. This decision will influence other mutual
funds and positively increase proxy support for sexual orientation
nondiscrimination protection."


Contents C2000-2005 Gayapolis, Inc.

----------

3.  Senate to debate fuel tax increases

12/06/05
PHIL BRINKMAN
pbrinkman@...
Wisconsin State Journal

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/index.php?ntid=64048&ntpid=2

<snip>

Besides the marriage amendment, which passed a Senate committee on a
3-2 vote Monday, and the concealed-carry legislation, other items on
the Senate's crowded calendar include bills to:

<snip>

Prohibit using state money to provide hormonal therapy or sexual
reassignment surgery to prisoners, inspired by a male inmate seeking
a sex change who was given female hormones by prison doctors.


Copyright C 2005 Wisconsin State Journal

----------

Letter to the Editor.

4.  Article put speakers at risk

Tuesday, December 6, 2005
MetroWest Daily News, MA

http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/opinion/view.bg?articleid=116164

    We are disappointed in Michael Cox's reporting of the
Transgender Awareness Assembly at Wellesley High School ("Struggling
with gender identity," Nov. 26). Cox co-opted the voluntary assembly
and didn't declare his press affiliation until the principal
reminded him that the assembly was for students.

    Furthermore, Cox made no mention in his article about why
Wellesley High School's Gay-Straight Alliance (GSA) sponsored
speakers from our organization, SpeakOut. Thousands of schools
across the country hold a Transgender Day of Remembrance to raise
awareness of violence against trans-identified people. We commend
the Wellesley High School staff and GSA for "respecting human
difference" and hosting the assembly.

    SpeakOut Boston is an organization of volunteer gay, lesbian,
bisexual and transgender (GLBT) speakers. We are invited to speak --
often to high school students -- about what it is like to be GLBT.
Our mission is to break down stereotypes while advancing
understanding.

    Our trained speakers choose to "out" themselves to welcoming
audiences in the name of education. However, neither of our speakers
expected/wanted to be featured in an article -- forever accessible
on the Web -- by a reporter who poached the student assembly for a
story, "outed" our speakers in negative and unsafe ways, and got all
the pronouns incorrect in his article. When trans-identified people
are "outed" in the media their personal safety, employment, career,
and family/relationships can suffer irreparable damage.

    For further information, contact SpeakOut at: SpeakOut Boston,
617-450-9776 or www.speakoutboston.org.

JILL A. ZELLMER,
LISA PERRY-WOOD,
Co-Chairs, SpeakOut Boston


C Copyright by Community Newspaper Co. and Herald Media.

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-----

~~Autumn Sandeen~~
Transgender Equity Alliance team member
San Diego Transgender Community Coalition Board Member
transgendernews YahooGroup Moderator
GLBT_News YahooGroup Moderator

"In a nation of minorities, it is important that you don't
cherry-pick rights. A right is a right."
Paul Martin

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