6 Travel Companies Stop Funding Antigay Groups

Six major travel companies have publicly ended their relationship with the Christian Values Network, an online platform that allows consumers to donate a portion of their purchases from certain companies to nonprofits, including antigay groups.

Thousands of letters went to the companies, explaining that CVN is connected to several major antigay organizations, such as Focus on the Family and the Family Research Council.

Change.org and AllOut.org, which pushed the campaign, had already persuaded Sandals Resorts, the Westin Hotel Group, Radisson and Country Inns & Suites, and Hotels.com to stop allowing proceeds to go to antigay groups through CVN. Thursday, AllOut announced that Expedia.com and Avis car rentals have been added to the list of defectors from CVN as well.

"In a tight economy, summer travelers will be very careful where to spend their hard-earned dollars," AllOut cofounder Andre Banks said in a statement. "They may think twice if they know that these companies are supporting bigotry."

According to AllOut.org, some of the major nontravel companies to end their partnership with CVN include Apple, Microsoft, REI, Macy's, Delta Airlines, BBC America, and Wells Fargo. Still, hundreds of other companies and retail outlets are still participating, including Lord & Taylor, Kmart, Target, Koh'ls, Turbo Tax, and Staples.