The Ford Motor Company today released the following letter (below) clarifying that whatever did or did not happen behind closed doors with the American Family Association (AFA) two weeks ago, the company is NOT backing off of its support for the gay community or gay advertising (in contrast to what was reported over the past two weeks).

According to the AFA and media reports over the past two weeks, in order to avoid a boycott from the extremist gay-hating organization, Ford allegedly agreed to:

1. No longer run ads promoting Jaguar or Land Rover in the gay press.
2. No longer support gay events or organizations.
3. Continue running Volvo ads in the gay press, but no longer tailor those ads to the gay community (i.e., in the future such ads would be the same ads that are run in the mainstream media, rather than the crafting the ads to appeal to a gay readership).

Ford addressed and resolved each of our three concerns regarding the above:

1. Ford announced that it will continue to support gay organizations and gay events in the coming year and beyond.

2. Ford is going to run advertisements in the gay media NOT ONLY promoting the Jaguar and Land Rover brands, but the ads will promote ALL of Fords brands, by name, including Jaguar and Land Rover.

3. Ford states unequivocally that it will continue to tailor its ads for the specific audience it is trying to reach, and then goes one step further. Ford challenges us to keep an eye out on their upcoming ads in order to verify that they will in fact be tailored.

There is no other way to read this than that Ford did the right thing. Whether or not an agreement was reached with the American Family Association - and the AFA has a record of crowing about such "victories" when no such victory occurred (sounds a lot like our president) - Ford has rectified the real or perceived problem, and the AFA has been shown to have no clothes (other than a very rusty chastity belt).

The thanks for this goes out to all of you. YOU did this. WE did this, together. And the we doesn't just include everyone who writes on and reads this blog. It includes the entire blogosphere who helped on this issue. It includes - yes, I'm serious - the gay civil rights groups who did the right thing here, stepped up to the plate, coordinated as they never have before, and stood firm against a bully. And finally, part of the credit goes to Ford and its brands (and I strongly suspect its employees as well). They could have told us to go to hell. They could have decided it was smarter to embrace intolerance and bigotry, but they didn't. Ford chose to embrace fairness and equality, Ford chose to embrace the values that doesn't just make American corporations great, they're the values that make America great.

Today, we all won.

Here is the text of Ford's letter:

December 14, 2005

Matt Foreman, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force
Joe Solmonese, Human Rights Campaign
Neil Giuliano, Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation
Craig Bowman, National Youth Advocacy Coalition
Jody Huckaby, Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays
Alexander Robinson, National Black Justice Coalition
Jeff Montgomery, Triangle Foundation

Dear Friends:

Thank you again for taking the time to speak with us on Monday. In my view, it was the start of a valuable and healthy dialogue, and I was pleased to be there on behalf of Bill Ford, Chairman and CEO of Ford Motor Company.

My intention was to be as direct and forthright. You deserve no less. I appreciate your candor in return. I'd like to take this opportunity to review the information we shared face-to-face and to tell you how our thinking has evolved.

You asked us specifically to reaffirm our principles of nondiscrimination and inclusiveness. We agreed, without any reservations, and issued a statement immediately after the meeting in which Bill Ford did so personally. We pointed out that Ford Motor Company and its brands value diversity among all of our constituents and pride ourselves on strong and clear values - respect for our customers, communities, employees, suppliers and dealers; acceptance of our differences; inclusion of different people with different perspectives; and integrity. That commitment is unchanged and we believe it is reflected in our policies, practices and marketing.

You asked us to comment on reports that we had placed creative restrictions on the way our brands could speak to gay and lesbian audiences. We expect our brands to create advertising that supports their brand image and is appropriate and effective in connecting with the intended audience. That is unchanged. But we do not have to deal with this topic in the abstract. The best answer to your question will be in the ads themselves. I would ask you to judge our intent by what you see.

You asked directly whether Ford Motor Company will continue to support nonprofit groups and events in the GLBT community. While we will still support certain events, I know you understand that the business situation will limit the extent of our support in all communities in 2006. We will continue all of our workplace policies and practices in support of Ford GLOBE members and supporters. That is unchanged.

You asked directly for us to have Jaguar and Land Rover reverse its plans and advertise in gay and lesbian targeted publications in 2006. As we said, Jaguar and Land Rover made a business decision about their media plans and it would be inconsistent with the way we manage our business to direct them to do otherwise. It is clear there is a misperception about our intent. As a result, we have decided to run corporate ads in these targeted publications that will include not only
Jaguar/Land Rover but all eight of Ford's vehicle brands. As we have said, the content will be appropriate and effective in connecting with the intended audience. It is my hope that this will remove any ambiguity about Ford's desire to advertise to all important audiences and put this particular issue behind us.

Finally, you expressed your strong objections to our having even met with one of your harshest critics. We meet every day with people and organizations on many issues, and, as a business, do not wish be drawn into those that detract from our effectiveness in the marketplace. That said, we expect to be measured not by the meetings we conduct but by our conduct itself. Our record on tolerance and inclusion speaks for itself and I am proud to be judged on that record at any time.

In closing, thank you again for your candor and professionalism. We listened and learned, and hope that you continue to understand the values and commitments of Ford Motor Company. I look forward to hearing from you at any time.

Sincerely,

Joe Laymon
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By: Doug Windsor, 365Gay.com New York Bureau

Posted: December 10, 2005 11:00 am ET

(New York City) Facing a maelstrom of criticism over allegations it caved in to conservative Christians, Ford Motor Company has agreed to meet with national LGBT groups over the company's decision to pull advertising from the gay media.

The meeting will take place on Monday, Rita Sklar, the spokesperson for the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, told 365Gay.com.

Following Ford's announcement that it was dropping ads in the gay media for its Land Rover and Jaguar lines the American Family Association declared victory and said it was ending its threatened boycott.

The AFA said the Ford decision was made following a meeting between it and the company at Ford headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. (story)

Ford claims that the decision to cut back on advertising and the AFA meeting were not related but the company did not dispute the conservative group's interpretation of the meeting.

The company also says it remains committed to diversity in the workplace.

The disparity between the AFA and Ford over the real reason for the advertising decision and the timing of the announcements by the two led 19 LGBT civil rights groups to demand an immediate meeting with Ford.

"If there is an agreement with AFA, we expect Ford to disavow it," the groups said in a joint statement.

Five days later, and after a hail of bad press - both in the mainstream and the gay media - Ford agreed to meet.

Earlier this year the AFA took aim at Kraft Foods - stopping just short of calling for a full boycott - for sponsoring the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago. (story) Kraft has not budged in its support for the games.

The AFA boycotted Proctor and Gamble last year after the Cincinnati-based P&G supported the repeal of an anti-gay law in that city. (story)

In April AFA declared victory over Proctor & Gamble after the company ended most of its advertising in the gay media. (story) The group claimed that more than 300,000 people had signed pledges not to buy P&G products.

The effect on P&G is believed to be one of the major reasons Microsoft decided to withdraw its support of a gay rights bill in the state of Washington following a meeting with a conservative Christian leader. (story) Following outrage from the company's gay workers and LGBT rights groups in Washington the company reversed course again and announced it would support gay rights measures in the future. (story)

Last weekend another Conservative Christian group, Focus on the Family, announced it was withdrawing its funds from Wells Fargo because of the banks involvement in pro-gay causes. (story)

On Wednesday the two top ranking politicians in West Hollywood released a letter to Ford Motor Co. Chair William Ford blasting the company's decision to end its LGBT advertising. (story)

"By bending to the will of an organization like the AFA, the Ford Motor Company has aligned itself with a group that uses fear and promotes bigotry," the letter from Mayor Abbe Land and Mayor Pro Tem John Heilman said.

Hornburg Jaguar and Land Rover a Ford dealer in West Hollywood.

The Commercial Closet Association, which educates marketers and ad agencies about the LGBT community, said boycotts against companies that support gays have had little effect.

"Boycott threats by anti-gay groups have proven over the years to have no measurable or adverse sales impact on targeted companies, including years-long efforts against American Airlines and Disney. As it has always been, success in the marketplace is dictated by the effectiveness of marketing strategies -- not approval from bigoted organizations," said Michael Wilke, the executive director of the Commercial Closet in a statement Friday.

(C) 2005 365GAY.COM
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source: Strategic Vision

Below are the poll results based on telephone interviews with 1200 registered voters in Florida, aged 18+, and conducted November 25-28, 2005. The margin of sampling error is ±3 percentage points.

1. Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's overall job performance?
Approve 37%
Disapprove 54%
Undecided 9%

2. Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of the economy?
Approve 38%
Disapprove 49%
Undecided 13%

3. Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's handling of Iraq?
Approve 42%
Disapprove 50%
Undecided 8%

4. Do you view President Bush as a conservative in the mode of Ronald Reagan? (Republicans Only)
Yes 27%
No 47%
Undecided 26%

5. Do you approve or disapprove of Governor Jeb Bush's job performance?
Approve 55%
Disapprove 39%
Undecided 6%

6. Would you like to see Governor Jeb Bush run for President in 2008?
Yes 21%
No 63%
Undecided 16%

7. Would you like to see Governor Jeb Bush as a Vice Presidential Candidate in 2008?
Yes 32%
No 48%
Undecided 20%

8. Who is your choice for the Republican Presidential nomination in 2008? (Jeb Bush included, Republicans only)
Rudy Giuliani 35%
John McCain 24%
Jeb Bush 10%
Newt Gingrich 8%
Bill Frist 4%
George Allen 4%
Rick Santorum 1%
Mitt Romney 1%
Chuck Hagel 1%
George Pataki 1%
Undecided 11%

9. If Jeb Bush were not to run for President in 2008, whom would you support for the Republican nomination in 2008? (Republicans only)
Rudy Giuliani 40%
John McCain 26%
Newt Gingrich 9%
Bill Frist 4%
George Allen 4%
George Pataki 1%
Rick Santorum 1%
Mitt Romney 1%
Chuck Hagel 1%
Undecided 13%

10. Would you like to see Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice run for President in 2008? (Republicans only)
Yes 50%
No 40%
Undecided 10%

11. If Condoleeza Rice were to run for President in 2008, who would you support for the Republican nomination in 2008? (Republicans only)
Rudy Guliani 33%
Condoleeza Rice 20%
John McCain 14%
Newt Gingrich 7%
Bill Frist 3%
George Allen 2%
George Pataki 1%
Rick Santorum 1%
Mitt Romney 1%
Chuck Hagel 1%
Undecided 17%

12. Who is your first choice for the Democratic nomination in 2008? (Democrats only)
Hillary Clinton 34%
Al Gore 13%
John Edwards 10%
John Kerry 8%
Wesley Clark 6%
Mark Warner 5%
Joseph Biden 3%
Bill Richardson 1%
Russ Feingold 1%
Ed Rendell 1%
Tom Vilsak 1%
Evan Bayh 1%
Barbara Boxer 1%
Undecided 15%

13. Do you approve or disapprove of President Bush's nomination of Judge Samuel Alito to replace Sandra Day O'Connor on the Supreme Court?
Approve 52%
Disapprove 38%
Undecided 10%

14. Would you like to see the United States Supreme Court overturn Roe v. Wade?
Yes 38%
No 56%
Undecided 6%

15. Do you expect another terrorist attack in the near future?
Yes 62%
No 10%
Undecided 28%

16. Do you approve or disapprove of Lt. Governor Toni Jennings' job performance?
Approve 46%
Disapprove 20%
Undecided 34%

17. Do you approve or disapprove of Attorney General Charlie Crist's job performance?
Approve 55%
Disapprove 32%
Undecided 13%

18. Do you approve or disapprove of Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher's job performance?
Approve 58%
Disapprove 30%
Undecided 12%

19. Do you approve or disapprove of Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Bronson's job performance?
Approve 45%
Disapprove 17%
Undecided 38%

20. Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Bill Nelson's job performance?
Approve 48%
Disapprove 41%
Undecided 11%

21. Do you approve or disapprove of Senator Mel Martinez's job performance?
Approve 41%
Disapprove 37%
Undecided 22%

22. If the election for the Republican nomination for Governor in 2006 were held today between Attorney General Charlie Crist and Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher, whom would you vote for? (Republicans only)
Charlie Crist 47%
Tom Gallagher 40%
Undecided 13%

23. Are you satisfied with the two Republican candidates running for Governor or would you prefer to see someone else run? (Republicans only)
Satisfied 63%
Prefer another candidate 13%
Undecided 24%

24. If the election for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2006 were held today between Congressman Jim Davis and State Senator Rod Smith, whom would you vote for? (Democrats only)
Jim Davis 34%
Rod Smith 19%
Undecided 47%

25. Are you satisfied with the two Democratic candidates running for Governor or would you prefer to see someone else run? (Democrats only)
Satisfied 35%
Prefer another candidate 55%
Undecided 10%

26. If the election for Governor were between Charlie Crist, the Republican and Jim Davis, the Democrat, whom would you support?
Charlie Crist 45%
Jim Davis 38%
Undecided 17%

27. If the election for Governor were between Tom Gallagher, the Republican and Jim Davis, the Democrat, whom would you support?
Tom Gallagher 48%
Jim Davis 37%
Undecided 15%

28. If the election for Governor were between Charlie Crist, the Republican and Rod Smith, the Democrat, whom would you support?
Charlie Crist 46%
Rod Smith 34%
Undecided 20%

29. If the election for Governor were between Tom Gallagher, the Republican and Rod Smith, the Democrat, whom would you support?
Tom Gallagher 47%
Rod Smith 35%
Undecided 18%

30. If the election for Chief Financial Officer were held today between State Senate President Tom Lee and State Representative Randy Johnson, whom would you support? (Republicans only)
Tom Lee 27%
Randy Johnson 19%
Undecided 54%

31. If the election for Attorney General were held today between former Congressman Bill McCollum, State Representative Joe Negron, State Representative Everett Rice, and State Senator Burt Saunders, whom would you support? (Republicans only)
Bill McCollum 41%
Joe Negron 13%
Everett Rice 11%
Burt Saunders 8%
Undecided 27%

32. If the election for the Republican nomination for United States Senator in 2006 were held today, whom would you support? (Republicans only)
Katherine Harris 48%
Toni Jennings 13%
Mark Foley 11%
Allan Bense 6%
Ginny Brown-Waite 5%
Dave Weldon 4%
Daniel Webster 1%
Undecided 12%

33. If the election for the Republican nomination for United States Senator in 2006 were held today, whom would you support? (Katherine Harris not included, Republicans only)
Toni Jennings 27%
Mark Foley 25%
Allan Bense 12%
Ginny Brown-Waite 9%
Dave Weldon 7%
Daniel Webster 4%
Undecided 16%

34. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Katherine Harris?
Favorable 33%
Unfavorable 42%
Undecided 25%

35. Do you have a favorable or unfavorable opinion of Bill Nelson?
Favorable 40%
Unfavorable 15%
Undecided 45%

36. If the election were held today for United States Senate, whom would you support, Bill Nelson, the Democrat or Katherine Harris, the Republican?
Bill Nelson 48%
Katherine Harris 32%
Undecided 20%

37. If the election were held today for United States Senate, whom would you support, Bill Nelson, the Democrat or Toni Jennings, the Republican?
Bill Nelson 47%
Toni Jennings 39%
Undecided 14%

38. If the election were held today for United States Senate, whom would you support, Bill Nelson, the Democrat or Mark Foley, the Republican?
Bill Nelson 47%
Mark Foley 40%
Undecided 13%

39. If the election were held today for United States Senate, whom would you support, Bill Nelson, the Democrat or Allan Bense, the Republican?
Bill Nelson 47%
Allan Bense 37%
Undecided 16%

40. If the election were held today for United States Senate, whom would you support, Bill Nelson, the Democrat or Ginny Brown-Waite, the Republican?
Bill Nelson 48%
Ginny Brown-Waite 39%
Undecided 13%

41. If the election were held today for United States Senate, whom would you support, Bill Nelson, the Democrat or Dave Weldon, the Republican?
Bill Nelson 47%
Dave Weldon 37%
Undecided 16%

42. If the election were held today for United States Senate, whom would you support, Bill Nelson, the Democrat or Daniel Webster, the Republican?
Bill Nelson 49%
Daniel Webster 33%
Undecided 18%

43. If the election were held today for United States Senate, whom would you support, Bill Nelson, the Democrat or Jeb Bush, the Republican?
Jeb Bush 51%
Bill Nelson 40%
Undecided 9%

44. If the election were held today for United States Senate, whom would you support, Bill Nelson, the Democrat or Charlie Crist, the Republican?
Charlie Crist 45%
Bill Nelson 44%
Undecided 11%

45. If the election were held today for United States Senate, whom would you support, Bill Nelson, the Democrat or Tom Gallagher, the Republican?
Tom Gallagher 46%
Bill Nelson 43%
Undecided 11%

46. Do you think Florida is headed in the right direction or the wrong direction?
Right 42%
Wrong 47%
Undecided 11%

47. Would you favor a state constitutional ban on same-sex marriages?
Yes 62%
No 33%
Undecided 5%
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Associated Press
BRENDAN FARRINGTON
Posted on Sat, Dec. 03, 2005

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - 1996 was a bad year for Florida Democrats. So was 1998. And 2000. 2002 was even worse. So was 2004.

But things could improve in 2006 and there's actually a feeling of hope at the Florida Democratic Party. And it's not just hollow optimism.

The party is starting to raise more money. It has a gubernatorial candidate, U.S. Rep. Jim Davis, who is even with better known Republicans in one recent poll. Gov. Jeb Bush won't be on the ballot. Democrats are avoiding primary contests in two key Cabinet races and trying more actively to recruit legislative and congressional candidates.

And next weekend the party is bringing in an impressive lineup of nationally recognized politicians to its annual convention in Orlando, an event that will seek to showcase its 2006 candidates while rallying support for the party itself.

"You could see not only a stop to the Republican victories in recent years, but you'll see a reversal," said state Sen. Dave Aronberg, who leads a group called Florida Mainstream Democrats. "The bleeding has stopped. We're going to make some gains."

While a lot can change in a year, University of North Florida political science professor Matthew Corrigan said Democrats do have reason to be optimistic.

"I don't think it's time to open the champagne, but both in terms of organization and electoral process, things are looking better now than they have since 1998 when Bush took over," he said.

Right now Democratic U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson is a heavy favorite to retain his seat. He's far ahead of Republican challenger U.S. Rep. Katherine Harris in the polls and Harris is having trouble raising money.

And with Republicans in Washington beginning to lose public support, Democrats feel they may be able to turn opinions in Florida, particularly when it comes to congressional races.

Growing dissatisfaction with the war in Iraq, the ballooning federal deficit and controversies surrounding and top presidential aid Karl Rove have hurt Republicans nationally. Nelson, though, thinks public opinion started changing with an issue closer to home: The right-to-die case of brain-damaged Terri Schiavo and Republican-led attempts to keep her alive.

"People were feeling like a certain segment of society was trying to cram their agenda down the throats of everybody else" said Nelson.

Maintaining ground in the next election would be an improvement for Democrats.

In 1996, they lost power in the state House. In 1998, they lost the governor's seat. In 2000, President Bush carried the state by 537 votes in an election some Democrats still say was stolen. In 2002, Republicans swept the three Cabinet races and picked up two seats in Congress; Bush was re-elected by a wide margin. In 2004, Republican Mel Martinez won retiring Democratic Sen. Bob Graham's seat and President Bush easily defeated John Kerry.

State Democratic Chairman Karen Thurman, who took over in May, believes people are seeing improvements in the party and like what they see in Democratic candidates. The party is seeing an increase in donations for an off-election year. Over the three months ending in September, the party raised more than $1.2 million, its second-best quarter in a non-election year in a decade.

"It begins to build this feeling that we can win and quite frankly I think we're in the best position to win," Thurman said. "To this day, I still think we are a 50-50 state. It has never leaned more Republican or Democratic, it leans more toward the people" running for office.

Democrats have a slim edge over Republicans in registered voters, with 4.3 million registered compared to 3.9 million. More than 2.1 million voters don't register with either party.

Davis of Tampa and state Sen. Rod Smith of Alachua are the two Democratic gubernatorial candidates. Neither can be reasonably painted as liberal and either could appeal to moderate voters outside the Democrats' South Florida base.

Republicans, though, have two much-better known candidates, Attorney General Charlie Crist and Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher. The two Republicans have raised about $10 million compared to $2 million raised by the two Democrats.

Republican Party Chairman Carole Jean Jordan also notes that the Republicans have built a powerful grass-roots organization and has become more efficient than Democrats at getting out voters. The fact that Gov. Bush isn't on the ticket won't be a concern, she said.

"(Bush) is committed to helping the party. He's leading our fundraising again this year," Jordan said. "He's not going to leave the state of Florida. He's worked too hard and turned too many things around. I think Gov. Bush will always be there for us."

Even as his brother's popularity as president has reached new lows, Gov. Bush's approval rating has remained strong in Florida and he is largely credited with building the party to its current dominance. He proved in his re-election campaign that he can turn out a Republican base at the polls and the machine he built helped President Bush win Florida by a comfortable margin.

Republican political consultant Geoffrey Becker, who used to be the state party's executive director, conceded that 2006 could provide a better opportunity for Democrats to make some races competitive, but said Democrats are still a long way from taking advantage of it.

"There may be a sense that without the governor at the top of the ticket or the name Bush at the top of the ticket, it may make a difference, but it's too early to claim victory when their only claim to fame is negative news," Becker said. "They're feeding off national trends, if you will. That often times doesn't translate into state trends."

Money, organization and the depth of candidates seeking office are still in the GOP's favor, he said.

Democrats acknowledge that their message has to go beyond Republican bashing.

"We can't simply be carping and we can't simply be contrarians," said Rep. Dan Gelber of Miami Beach, who is working with Thurman to recruit House candidates. "We have to offer ideas and we are trying to."

Next weekend will be an important rally for Democrats. Speakers will include Democratic National Committee Chairman Howard Dean, last year's vice presidential candidate John Edwards, Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack and U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, a rising Democratic star from Illinois.

"Those are some pretty big names," said Corrigan. "National leaders sense political opportunity. Maybe the idea is if they can turn Florida, they can turn the whole nation, or a significant part of it."

That's the hope, Dean said.

"There are a lot of things coming together: The resurgence of the party, the willingness of the DNC to get involved in the local races and to support state parties, and quite frankly a fatigue with the kind of more extreme positions that Republicans often take."
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