National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce Calls Ford Motor Company Actions Shameful
Wed. December 7, 2005 12:00 AM by GayWebMonkey.com
Washington, D.C. -
This week, the leadership of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) sent a scathing letter to Ford Motor Company CEO Bill Ford, Jr. in reponse to statements that the company is withdrawing all advertising from GLBT media.
"After years of cultivating relationships, advertising and taking money from LGBT families that supported your company through the purchase of Ford family vehicles, your recent actions are nothing short of shameful," wrote NGLCC Co-Founders Chance Mitchell and Justin Nelson. The letter came in response to the recent announcement that Ford Motor Company's Jaguar and Land Rover brands will no longer advertise in lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender media.
"It is sad to realize when one of America's cornerstone corporations plays party to homophobia put forward by those on the fringe. Your action undermines Ford Motor Company's long history of supporting diverse communities and ignores the contributions we make to your corporate bottom line. If these actions are allowed to stand, we will ensure LGBT people are educated about this development and use it in the decision making process before purchasing their next vehicle," the letter states.
The NGLCC noted that Ford's North American unit has lost over $1 billion dollars this year and is likely to close at least five assembly plants. "With a less than stellar financial outlook, we find it absolutely unfathomable that Ford Motor Company will turn its back on an entire segment of American consumers, with over $600 billion in annual consumer spending power," said Nelson. Nelson noted the group has requested a meeting with Ford executives to discuss how Ford Motor Company can correct this mistake.
"Mr. Ford needs to know that LGBT Americans and our friends and families are not happy about this," said Mitchell. The NGLCC is encouraging LGBT business owners across the country to write or call Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at (800)-392-3673 and share their frustration over this reported decision.
"Ford needs to hear from us loud and clear," said Mitchell. NGLCC noted that Ford owns Land Rover, Jaguar, Mercury, Mazda, Lincoln, Volvo, and Aston Martin.
"After years of cultivating relationships, advertising and taking money from LGBT families that supported your company through the purchase of Ford family vehicles, your recent actions are nothing short of shameful," wrote NGLCC Co-Founders Chance Mitchell and Justin Nelson. The letter came in response to the recent announcement that Ford Motor Company's Jaguar and Land Rover brands will no longer advertise in lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender media.
"It is sad to realize when one of America's cornerstone corporations plays party to homophobia put forward by those on the fringe. Your action undermines Ford Motor Company's long history of supporting diverse communities and ignores the contributions we make to your corporate bottom line. If these actions are allowed to stand, we will ensure LGBT people are educated about this development and use it in the decision making process before purchasing their next vehicle," the letter states.
The NGLCC noted that Ford's North American unit has lost over $1 billion dollars this year and is likely to close at least five assembly plants. "With a less than stellar financial outlook, we find it absolutely unfathomable that Ford Motor Company will turn its back on an entire segment of American consumers, with over $600 billion in annual consumer spending power," said Nelson. Nelson noted the group has requested a meeting with Ford executives to discuss how Ford Motor Company can correct this mistake.
"Mr. Ford needs to know that LGBT Americans and our friends and families are not happy about this," said Mitchell. The NGLCC is encouraging LGBT business owners across the country to write or call Ford Motor Company Customer Relationship Center at (800)-392-3673 and share their frustration over this reported decision.
"Ford needs to hear from us loud and clear," said Mitchell. NGLCC noted that Ford owns Land Rover, Jaguar, Mercury, Mazda, Lincoln, Volvo, and Aston Martin.
Article provided in partnership with GayWebMonkey.com.