Macy's, the retailer who has been among the staunchest LGBT corporate supporters, is under attack again, this time by One Million Moms, a small antigay group billed as "a project of the with the American Family Association." The problem? Two tiny grooms, barely visible, atop a wedding cake in an advertisement that was sent to homes last week. The ad, an enticement to join Macy's gift registry, features a car with a trunk full of wedding and honeymoon paraphernalia, from that festooned wedding cake to vintage luggage.
It was apparently enough to rile the Moms, who wrote on their website, that instead of making sales, Macy's had "offended many customers in the process. The back cover looks like just a regular advertisement for their wedding registry service, but there is one major difference. When you take a closer look you see the cake topper of two men instead of the traditional man and woman. The ad also includes a license plate that reads 'I do' and hearts scattered everywhere. Macy's must believe this is mainstream, but just because gay marriage is legal in a few states, this is inappropriate marketing and conservative customers will not support it."
This isn't he first time Macy's has supported the LGBT world -- in print or otherwise. Their 2008 advertisement celebrated the (all too brief) period of time where same-sex marriage was legal in California. It read: "First comes love. Then comes marriage. And now it's a milestone every couple in California can celebrate."
As conservative groups like the Moms encourage a Macy's boycott, LGBT buyers have encouraged support of the company, which gets a 100% HRC rating, has an active LGBT employee group, and celebrates June's LGBT Pride month with their Pride + Joy campaign, which features everything from in-store events and gay tribute windows to ad support, gift registry booths at Pride, and thousands of employees marching in parades.
