Disagreements aside, you make some good points. And thank you for putting at least a reasonable interpretation to “queers that care”.
An example of a disagreement: I don’t think a majority of gays knows what HRC really stands for and what their activities are. I also disagree that HRC exists simply to eliminate discrimination against homosexuals. But I won’t argue these points here, as that would be a monumental hijack.
And I do recognize that my views (gay libertarian) are decidedly in the minority. The difference, however, between elected leaders whom I don’t support, and these so-called gay leaders, is that everyone understands that every elected official has opposition. Few seem to understand that there is any dissent in the gay community against the views and some actions of HRC, NGTLF and others of their ultra-liberal ilk. I have no particular knowledge of Lambda Legal, so I am not including them. Anyway, this is the sum of my point in commenting in this thread.
I didn’t vote for them, but then who cares. They have the contacts, financial backing, and skills to address things I care about. So, who cares if they are “representatives” or “leaders” or “spokesmen” or whatever they are?
Listen to the warning in pizzabrat’s OP, Otto. You feel fine with the press calling the fine folk at HRC your leaders but just you wait. It won’t be long before they’ll be labeling Alexis Arquette a spokesman and asking him about the gay stance on the situation in Iraq.
See, I was thinking of going the complete other way
"Dear Ford Motor Company,
Even though I can no longer see your ads in the magazines I like to read, I still see them on television, hear them on radio, and see large signs by the freeway. Please rectify this immediately, or I shall sic the AFA and Focus on the Family on you. Enclosed is my commute route and the broadcasting area in which I live."
Yes, and that is the whole point. You do not want the media picking your “leaders” for you. You may like the one they picked today but the one they pick tomorrow may be the G&L Al Sharpton.
When you have a group like the AFA organizing boycotts against you, you need to organize to fight back. Regardless of your politics, having groups pressure companies to avoid your business is something you should care about. Gay activist groups are the best way the gay community has to focus their energies on individual topics of importance.
Who else was going to step up to the plate and get Ford to clarify/change their decision, that looked like so much caving in to the religious right?
Leaders that actually get good works done are a boon to the community they represent. Leaders that are more interested in getting their mugs on TV and lining their pockets than improving the lives of the people they represent are ‘leaders’ who deserve to be mocked.
What’s the real story now? Was AFA lying and they didn’t get the assurances from Ford that they claimed? Was there a group within Ford making assurances they didn’t have the authority to make? Did Ford make the assurances and then realize the backlash wasn’t worth it? It’s a confusing mess of changing stories and points to disorganization within Ford itself, which may be related to why Ford is struggling financially.
The way things have settled for now, seems to add credence to Ford’s claim that it was simply those brands cutting back on advertising and a coincidence that AFA made the claims they did. Except for the fact that a Ford spokesman referred reporters from The Advocate to the AFA release, which seems to support the AFA claims.
The American Family Association said Thursday it is considering reinstating its boycott against Ford Motor Co. following the company’s decision to continue advertising in gay publications. Ford announced last week that it would end all advertising in the LGBT media following a meeting between company executives and the AFA over a threatened boycott. The AFA left the meeting declaring victory over “homosexual activists”. … Wednesday afternoon the giant automaker announced it would not end its advertising and would also increase it. … “We had an agreement with Ford, worked out in good faith. Unfortunately, some Ford Motor Company officials made the decision to violate the good faith agreement. We are now considering our response to the violation and expect to reach a decision very soon,” said AFA chair Donald E. Wildmon in a statement. … “All we wanted was for Ford to refrain from choosing sides in the cultural war, and supporting groups which promote same-sex marriage is not remaining neutral,” Wildmon’s statement said.
Awww, the poor little AFA is now playing the martyr, in a fight they started and won’t let go of. They should know, “either you’re with me or against me” doesn’t always pan out the way you’d like (snicker). Maybe if I were shopping for a car now, I would buy a Ford just to thumb my nose at the AFA.
