Far right group
renews threat of Ford boycott

The antigay Christian group American Family Association issued fresh threats of a boycott against the Ford Motor Co. on Thursday, following the automaker's about-face on advertising in gay media. Ford issued a letter to several gay rights groups on Wednesday reaffirming its support for gay causes and promising to continue advertising in the gay press.

The Tupelo, Miss.-based AFA warned that Ford had "reneged on" the terms of a good-faith agreement made with the carmaker earlier this month. In an update on the AFA Web site, chairman Donald Wildmon said the group is considering a response to what it called "violation" of the agreement and expects to reach a decision very soon. He added that the option of a boycott is now very much alive. AFA called off a proposed boycott with Ford in early summer after Ford dealers and company representatives began addressing the antigay organization's concerns.

Ford's mistimed announcement earlier this month that it was discontinuing advertising of its Jaguar and Land Rover car brands in gay magazines, including The Advocate and Out, sparked a firestorm of criticism from gay rights leaders across the country. Many felt the company had caved in to the AFA's threatened boycott, since the threats coincided with a meeting at the group's Tupelo headquarters by Ford leadership.

In a related development, Ford contradicted reports in The Washington Post and other media on Thursday that said Jaguar and Land Rover would resume advertising in gay publications. Ford spokesperson Kathleen Vokes said that any future advertising will be purchased by the parent Ford company, with logos for all eight Ford brands clearly shown. She added that any decision by Jaguar and Land Rover to place separate ads in gay media would be up to those divisions' independent marketing departments. (Sirius/OutQ News)