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Kraft attacked for backing Gay Games Larry Buhl, PlanetOut Network
Thu May 12, 8:30 PM ET
SUMMARY: Kraft Foods has come under attack by the American Family Association, which urges the food maker to drop its corporate sponsorship of the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago.
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Kraft Foods came under attack this week by the American Family Association, a Mississippi-based anti-gay group, which urges the food maker to drop its corporate sponsorship of the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago.
Kraft, headquartered in suburban Chicago, is a business sponsor of the Gay Games and will also sponsor the swimming events.
In an e-mail sent Monday, AFA encouraged its 500,000 members to make a personal call to Kraft and "tell them to pull their financial support from the 2006 Gay Games." The group is not, however, calling for an official boycott of Kraft or other corporate sponsors, according to Kathryn Hooks, AFA's director of media.
"We believe many of Kraft's customers would be offended to know a portion of their finances from Kraft purchases is being used to support something they oppose, and we also believe Kraft corporation would want to hear from its customers," Hooks said.
A staunch opponent of gay rights, the AFA regularly does battle against what it calls the "radical homosexual agenda" and is best known for urging boycotts of Disney and Procter & Gamble. The group regularly protests companies that advertise on shows such as "Will & Grace" and "Desperate Housewives."
The noise made by the large and well-funded -- $11 million in 2000 -- group has so far had little impact on the Gay Games. Seventy-two companies, including PlanetOut Inc., have signed on to be sponsors, and it is unlikely that any might pull out because of conservative religious pressure, according to Kevin G. Boyer, a spokesman for Chicago's 2006 event.
"It's disappointing that a group would target something like an event that celebrates sports and healthy lifestyles," Boyer told the PlanetOut Network. "But AFA's efforts seem more about energizing their base and raising money than bringing about policy changes. Kraft is behind us 100 percent."
Boyer also noted that the Gay Games have broad public support in Chicago, including that of the mayor, Richard M. Daley, who is the honorary chair of Chicago 2006.
This support was reiterated in a statement from Chicago City Hall. "Mayor Daley is committed to the success of the 2006 Gay Games because it is an expression of international goodwill and a celebration of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender communities, which are important to Chicago," said Bill Greaves, Chicago's liaison to the LGBT communities.
AFA's actions drew harsh words from the Federation of Gay Games, the governing board for Chicago 2006. "AFA's call for negative messaging against Kraft Foods is an insult, not just to the sponsors and LGBT athletes of the Gay Games, but to all of the straight and accepting athletes, coaches, supporters and families who enjoy the quadrennial celebration of excellence and acceptance," said Roger Brigham, a spokesman for the Federation.
On Wednesday Kraft and other sponsors were attacked by another religious right group following AFA's lead. The Illinois Family Institute asked its members to target Kraft and five other Illinois companies that are sponsoring what it calls the "Homosexuality Games."
"By allowing their corporate logos to be used to promote the 'Gay Games,' Kraft, Harris Bank and other sponsoring companies are celebrating wrong and destructive behaviors, and showing their disdain for the majority of Americans who favor traditional morality and marriage," the group wrote on its Web site. Ironically, the site features a prominent bust of Abraham Lincoln, who has recently been regarded by some historians as gay.
Boyer said that a coordinated LGBT response to such attacks is not necessary, but he encouraged people who want to show their appreciation for Kraft's support of diversity to do so on their Web site, at Kraft.com, or through a link at gaygameschicago.org.
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