The American Family Association has identified yet another target in its waging of the culture war -- PepsiCo. The right-wing organization has asked members to boycott PepsiCo after the company donated a combined $1 million to the Human Rights Campaign and Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays.
The AFA says it sent two letters to PepsiCo after the donations were made public in October.
"We were indeed surprised by PepsiCo's support of the homosexual group," the AFA's Donald E. Wildmon wrote in October about the $500,000 donation to PFLAG. "It would appear to us that PepsiCo would not involve itself in a political and culture war, especially supporting an organization seeking to redefine marriage and family."
The letter went on to ask PepsiCo chair Indra K. Nooyi to "remain neutral in this culture war, neither supporting nor opposing the homosexual agenda."
PepsiCo responded in November that the donation made to PFLAG focuses on designing supportive workplace environments. "The initiative seeks to promote further understanding and equality in the places where people spend much of their time at work," PepsiCo spokesman Paul Boykas wrote in a letter the AFA deemed "condescending."
"Among the values promoted by the PepsiCo Foundation is ensuring a work environment that is respectful where associates are valued for their contributions," the letter went on to say. "I hope this clarifies this grant by the PepsiCo Foundation."
AFA wrote in a letter to its members that PepsiCo "refuses to give money to any pro-family organization that opposes the homosexual agenda."
Further adding fuel to the fire, the AFA adds that "most every homosexual organization we know of is overwhelmingly pro-abortion." (Michelle Garcia, Advocate.com)
