http://www.kesq.com/Global/story.asp?S=3965121
"A New Orleans company that operates a Web site catering to gay men is suing the eBay-owned PayPal.... PayPal won't allow it to use its service to collect donations for Hurricane Katrina victims ...violates PayPal's policy against "the use of PayPal in the sale of adult, sexually oriented or obscene materials or services."- KESQ NewsChannel 3, Palm Springs, CA,
http://www.bpnews.net/bpnews.asp?ID=21387
Starbucks, the world’s most famous coffee shop chain, has begun a program called “The Way I See It,” which is a collection of thoughts, opinions and expressions provided by notable figures that now appear on Starbucks coffee cups. Quote #43 blatantly pushes the homosexual agenda. It’s by Armistead Maupin, who wrote “Tales of the City,” a bestseller-turned-PBS drama advocating the homosexual lifestyle. It has come to light that Starbucks is a regular sponsor of Planned Parenthood and also a sponsor at a recent CA gay festival where two known pedophiles were working as volunteers. At “gay pride” events in Seattle, Wash., in July, about 75 Starbucks employees wearing promotional T-shirts participated in a parade and passed out samples accompanied by a van with the company logo. “There are active homosexual groups in most major corporations now and they do a shake down, where they say, ‘If you don’t promote our events, you’re exhibiting bigotry and hatred, and we’re going to let everybody know that and you’ll feel bad about yourself and maybe it will hurt your sales.’ I don’t think it has ever hurt a company’s sales. I think they just cave in all too easily. But Starbucks was promoting homosexuality about 10 years ago ... and a lot of conservative groups got together and said, ‘Why are you doing this?’ and I remember getting a letter back from them about 10 years ago saying, ‘Well, you know, we were doing it, but it was an oversight and we’re not doing it anymore.’ And I noticed that over the years Starbucks was not among the corporate logos at the bottom of these ads sponsoring gay pride events -- until recently. They’ve started to creep back in.” - Bob Knight, Dirctor of Culture & Family Institute, Concerned Women for America
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/7/82005c.asp
A long time advertiser in the dairy industry trade publication, Dairy Field, Ellison Bakery of Indiana, has pulled a large ad campaign in response to the publication's decision to run a pro-homosexual editorial. Dairy Field ran an editorial critical of conservative pro-family groups for censuring Kraft Foods for its pro-homosexual policies. "This is not a personal attack against people who have chosen this type of lifestyle. Homosexuals, like all people "are created in the image of God. Nevertheless, I don't support things that would promote people making those bad choices."- Todd Wallin, general manager of Ellison Bakery
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/302005a.asp
Kendall Boutwell, a pastor and union worker for Georgia Pacific in Mississippi, is leading a group of union members to combat recent moves in support of the homosexual agenda by the leadership of the country's largest federation of workers. Together they have launched a website: UnionWorkersAgainstGayMarriage.com
"They did not ask the body [of the union], the members being the body. They didn't ask 13 million members. They took it upon themselves and did this. President Sweeney of the AFL-CIO and the executive council, which is made up of about 60 people, voted unanimously to do that.They didn't ask the workers -- the people paying the dues -- what they thought. That's not democratic." - Kendall Boutwell
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/6/202005a.asp
The Illinois Family Institute, is promoting Exxon/Mobile Oil Company. Exxon/Mobile has not inacted a policy of extended health benefits to partners of homosexual employees despite much pressure from the HRC and some Exxon/Mobile stockholders. Each year less than 30% of the stockholders have voted for such a proposal. IFI encourages all who agree with Exxon/Mobile's stance to support them through Email and by going out of their way to buy gas and oil from Exxon/Mobile.
http://www.cnsnews.com/ViewNation.asp?Page=/Nation/archive/200506/NAT20050613a.html
The leadership of more than 36 family-oriented organizations have sent letters to the President of the AFL-CIO, following a vote to endorse a resolution called: "Support for the Full Inclusion and Equal Rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender People in the Workplace." These letters exhort the leadership of the AFL-CIO to stop using member's dues to advance the agendas of homosexual and transgender activists, including one such group who calls themselves, "proud union queers."
http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0036695.cfm
by Steve Jordahl, correspondent
"One of the major strategic plans by the gay activists' leadership has been to target corporate America in getting them to change their policies," he noted. "By doing that they know that they can change the culture of our country." - Kermit Rainman, a gender issues analyst for Focus on the Family
http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050404/nym186.html?.v=3
| Press Release | Source: Harris Interactive Inc. |
Monday April 4, 1:10 pm ET
For example, GLB adults (76%) frequently or occasionally watch basic cable, compared with two-thirds (67%) of heterosexual adults. Similarly, six in 10 (62%) GLB respondents report they frequently or occasionally watch specialty cable networks (compared with 56% of heterosexuals) and 45 percent report they frequently or occasionally watch premium (pay) cable networks (compared with 37% of heterosexuals).
These are a few highlights of a nationwide survey of 2,630 U.S. adults, of whom 177 have self-identified as gay, lesbian or bisexual. The survey was conducted online between March 8 and 14, 2005 by Harris Interactive®, a worldwide market research and consulting firm, in conjunction with Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc., a strategic public relations and marketing communications firm with special expertise in the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender market.
The online survey also highlights preferences toward reading alternative newspapers among GLB and heterosexual adults. While one-half of GLB respondents (49%) state they frequently or occasionally read the alternative press, one-quarter (27%) of heterosexual adults say they do. Likewise, three in 10 (31%) GLB respondents say they frequently or occasionally listen to independent and alternative radio stations, compared with one-quarter (25%) of non-gay respondents.
"Gays, lesbians and bisexuals are as avid as ever about connecting to television programming and publications that are directly relevant to their lives, needs and tastes," said Bob Witeck, CEO of Witeck-Combs Communications. "This research tells us they are looking beyond traditional mass media for news and entertainment trends that intrigue them and, more importantly, that also include them."
Expanding on what previous Harris Interactive studies have shown about GLB Internet use, this survey indicates that two-thirds (66%) of GLB adults frequently or occasionally visit mainstream online channels (compared with 57% of heterosexual adults). Gays also read web logs (or "blogs") more often than their non-gay counterparts (27% of GLB adults versus 18% of heterosexual adults frequently or occasionally seek out blogger websites).
Furthermore, GLB respondents are more likely to read specialty or niche magazines than are heterosexual adults (15% GLB versus 4% heterosexuals frequently or occasionally read them). This difference is particularly apparent with travel (31% vs. 19%), the arts (16% vs. 6%) and entertainment (40% vs. 28%) publications.
Not surprisingly, there's virtually no distinction between gay and non-gay viewing habits related to conventional broadcast television channels. More than eight in 10 gay and non-gay adults alike say they frequently or occasionally watch national and local broadcast channels.
TABLE 1
FREQUENCY OF WATCHING OR READING MEDIA
"How often do you read or watch each of the following?"
Base: All Adults
Total Heterosexual GLB
(n=2,630) (n=2,361) (n=177)
% % %
Local television networks
Frequently 57 59 44
Occasionally 26 25 39
Seldom 11 10 15
Never 6 6 3
Local newspapers
Frequently 51 52 37
Occasionally 27 26 38
Seldom 16 15 18
Never 7 7 7
Independent and alternative
newspapers
Frequently 9 8 24
Occasionally 20 19 25
Seldom 23 23 18
Never 49 50 33
Broadcast television networks
(e.g. ABC, CBS)
Frequently 58 59 56
Occasionally 24 24 29
Seldom 11 11 14
Never 7 7 1
National newspapers (e.g. USA
Today, Wall Street Journal)
Frequently 9 9 9
Occasionally 22 22 27
Seldom 30 29 37
Never 39 39 27
News magazines (e.g. Time,
Newsweek)
Frequently 13 13 18
Occasionally 24 24 33
Seldom 30 30 27
Never 33 34 22
Mainstream online channels
(e.g. AOL, MSN, Yahoo!)
Frequently 36 36 41
Occasionally 22 21 25
Seldom 15 16 13
Never 27 27 20
Basic cable networks
(e.g. ESPN, CNN, MTV)
Frequently 38 38 43
Occasionally 29 29 34
Seldom 14 14 9
Never 19 19 14
Specialty cable networks
(e.g. BET, Lifetime, HGTV)
Frequently 26 27 23
Occasionally 30 29 39
Seldom 17 17 18
Never 27 27 19
Premium cable networks
(e.g. HBO, Showtime, Cinemax)
Frequently 21 20 30
Occasionally 17 17 16
Seldom 17 17 23
Never 45 46 32
Mainstream radio
Frequently 34 35 41
Occasionally 28 29 26
Seldom 17 16 20
Never 21 21 14
Independent and alternative
radio
Frequently 8 8 17
Occasionally 17 17 14
Seldom 20 20 22
Never 54 55 47
Talk radio
Frequently 19 20 9
Occasionally 21 20 31
Seldom 23 23 25
Never 38 37 35
Lifestyle, home decorating and
design magazines (e.g. Martha
Stewart Living, O, Real Simple)
Frequently 10 11 11
Occasionally 18 18 17
Seldom 23 23 27
Never 49 49 45
Sports magazines (e.g. Sports
Illustrated, Golf Digest,
Field & Stream)
Frequently 6 6 7
Occasionally 13 13 8
Seldom 23 23 20
Never 59 58 66
Entertainment magazines
(e.g. Entertainment Weekly,
People, Us)
Frequently 10 10 19
Occasionally 18 18 21
Seldom 30 31 29
Never 41 42 30
Fashion magazines
(e.g. InStyle, Vogue, WWD)
Frequently 5 4 7
Occasionally 12 12 15
Seldom 19 19 26
Never 64 65 52
Niche magazines (e.g. Nylon,
Paper, Interview, Surface)
Frequently 2 2 4
Occasionally 3 2 11
Seldom 8 8 15
Never 87 89 69
Art magazines (e.g. Art News,
Art in America, Artforum)
Frequently 1 1 5
Occasionally 5 5 11
Seldom 16 15 20
Never 78 78 64
Travel magazines (e.g. Conde Nast
Traveler, Travel & Leisure,
Out Traveller)
Frequently 6 6 12
Occasionally 13 13 19
Seldom 25 25 18
Never 56 56 51
Men's magazines (e.g. Esquire,
Details)
Frequently 4 3 15
Occasionally 7 6 15
Seldom 16 15 24
Never 73 75 46
Men's fitness magazines
(e.g. Men's Health)
Frequently 3 2 12
Occasionally 8 7 16
Seldom 13 13 20
Never 76 77 52
Women's magazines (e.g. Redbook,
Cosmopolitan, Glamour)
Frequently 11 12 4
Occasionally 16 17 5
Seldom 20 19 33
Never 53 52 58
Women's fitness magazines
(e.g. Self, Shape)
Frequently 3 3 1
Occasionally 9 9 9
Seldom 17 17 20
Never 71 70 70
Shelter magazines (e.g.
Architectural Digest,
Elle D cor, Met Home)
Frequently 2 2 4
Occasionally 7 7 13
Seldom 17 17 20
Never 73 73 62
Urban magazines (e.g. VIBE,
Essence, Honey, One World)
Frequently 3 3 1
Occasionally 6 5 14
Seldom 9 8 14
Never 83 84 70
Music magazines
(e.g. Rolling Stone)
Frequently 3 3 2
Occasionally 9 8 22
Seldom 20 20 30
Never 68 70 47
Satellite radio stations
Frequently 3 3 5
Occasionally 7 7 10
Seldom 10 10 18
Never 80 80 66
Web logs online ("bloggers")
with special interests
Frequently 5 5 4
Occasionally 14 13 24
Seldom 23 23 29
Never 58 59 44
Methodology
Harris Interactive® conducted the study online within the United States between March 8 and 14, 2005, among a nationwide cross section of 2,630 adults (aged 18 and over), of whom 177 self-identified as gay, lesbian, or bisexual (GLB). Figures for age, sex, race, education, region and income were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting was also used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online.
In theory, with a probability sample of this size, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results for the overall sample have a sampling error of plus or minus 2 percentage points. Sampling error for the GLB sample results is plus or minus 8 percentage points. There are several other possible sources of error in all polls or surveys that are probably more serious than theoretical calculations of sampling error. They include refusals to be interviewed (non-response), question wording and question order and weighting. It is impossible to quantify the errors that may result from these factors. This online sample is not a probability sample.
These statements conform to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls.
Additional Note: Previous research conducted by Harris Interactive in conjunction with Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc. queried gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (GLBT) self-identified respondents. Although we remain interested in the consumer attitudes and characteristics of transgendered individuals, for accuracy and consistency we distinguish sexual orientation from gender identity. In addition, given the low incidence of response from transgendered individuals, it is extremely difficult to draw conclusions from the data captured.
About Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc.
Witeck-Combs Communications, Inc. (http://www.witeckcombs.com) is the nation's premier strategic marketing communications firm, specializing in reaching the gay and lesbian consumer market. With over nine years experience in this unique market, Witeck-Combs Communications has developed respected relationships throughout the community and serves as a bridge between corporate America and gay and lesbian consumers. In April 2003, American Demographics magazine identified Bob Witeck and Wes Combs as two of 25 experts over the last 25 years who have made significant contributions to the fields of demographics, market research, media and trendspotting for their pathbreaking work on the gay and lesbian market.
About Harris Interactive®
Harris Interactive Inc. (http://www.harrisinteractive.com), the 15th largest and fastest-growing market research firm in the world, is a Rochester, N.Y.-based global research company that blends premier strategic consulting with innovative and efficient methods of investigation, analysis and application. Known for The Harris Poll® and for pioneering Internet-based research methods, Harris Interactive conducts proprietary and public research to help its clients achieve clear, material and enduring results.
Harris Interactive combines its intellectual capital, databases and technology to advance market leadership through U.S. offices and wholly owned subsidiaries: London-based HI Europe (http://www.hieurope.com), Paris-based Novatris (http://www.novatris.com), Tokyo-based Harris Interactive Japan, through newly acquired WirthlinWorldwide, a Reston, Virginia-based research and consultancy firm ranked 25th largest in the world, and through an independent global network of affiliate market research companies. EOE M/F/D/V
To become a member of the Harris Poll Online(SM) and be invited to participate in future online surveys, visit http://www.harrispollonline.com.
Press Contacts: Nancy Wong Harris Interactive 585-214-7316 Kelly Gullo Harris Interactive 585-214-7172 Bob Witeck Witeck-Combs Communications 202-887-0500 ext. 19 or (cell) 202-977-4055 bwiteck@witeckcombs.com
Source: Harris Interactive Inc.
http://www.prnewswire.com/cgi-bin/stories.pl?ACCT=109&STORY=/www/story/03-21-2005/0003236400&EDATE=
NEW YORK, March 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Same-sex marriage might have polarized
lawmakers, but it has galvanized advertisers in the gay press, according to a
closely watched survey released today.
Overall ad spending in gay and lesbian publications in 2004 reached
$207 million, an increase of 28.4% over the year before, according to the 2004
edition of the Gay Press Report, the annual survey produced by advertising
agency Prime Access Inc. and gay media representative firm Rivendell Media.
"The findings in this report represent the biggest increases in spending
for the gay press since 2000," said Howard Buford, founder and president of
Prime Access Inc. "Conventional wisdom held that controversy around marriage
would deter marketers. Instead, the debate had a powerful effect in the
opposite direction."
Gay media also saw an astonishing surge in ads with "gay-specific"
content, the report revealed. The number of gay-specific ads, which feature
messages directly aimed at gay and lesbian consumers through their copy or art
direction, jumped 241.9% over the previous year.
The 2004 Gay Press Report survey found that over 150 Fortune 500(R) brands
were active in the gay consumer market in 2004, up from 72 in 2001 and only
19 in 1994. And for the first time, the majority (59%) of ads in national gay,
lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) publications are specifically created
for gay consumers. Currently, the most popular product categories are
automotive, travel, financial services and fashion, said Buford.
This year's upward trends reversed three consecutive years of decline in
gay print ad spending. And while the Gay Press Report focuses on print
advertising, a recent survey found that online ad spending for gay and lesbian
web sites was also up significantly in 2004. Additionally, with the launch of
MTV Networks' LOGO cable channel later this year, advertisers will have a
national outlet for placing television spots created for a GLBT audience.
"All of the research indicates that ads created specifically for gay
consumers get the strongest results," said Todd Evans, president and CEO of
Rivendell Media. "Marketers have seen that this holds true not just on the
coasts, but in the Midwest too, which contributed to increased advertising in
local GLBT publications across the board. And the most efficient placement of
that advertising is in gay media."
The Gay Press Report has been produced annually since 1994 to provide a
unique, historical perspective on the gay and lesbian market. This year's
survey analyzed 139 individual publications targeting gay and lesbian
consumers, which include local and national newspapers, magazines and
entertainment guides.
Starting in 1999, Prime Access Inc. joined forces with Rivendell Media to
co-publish The Gay Press Report. In the gay and lesbian market, Prime Access
represents more Fortune 500 companies than any other advertising agency.
Rivendell Media represents over 200 gay and lesbian publications in the U.S.
and Canada.
To view the 2004 report in its entirety, please visit:
http://www.gaymarket.com/gaypressreport2004.pdf
Among other findings in the 2004 Gay Press Report:
* Revenues for gay press have soared 182% since 1996.
* More ads from wedding-related services, including consultants, planners
and lawyers contributed a jump in the Services-Non Medical Product
category, which captured the largest number of total ads with 14.9% in
2004. The Eat and Drink category, which includes bars and restaurants,
captured the second most ads with 14%.
About Rivendell Media
Rivendell Media is the leading authority on the gay and lesbian press in
the United States. Founded in 1979, Rivendell currently works with most
advertising agencies providing effective media schedules nationally,
regionally or by market. As a media rep firm, we represent over 200 local and
national gay and lesbian publications in the United States and Canada.
About Prime Access, Inc.
Prime Access, Inc. is a full-service advertising agency that creates
award-winning URBAN MAJORITY(TM) marketing communications to reach America's
emerging dynamic of multicultural consumers. This includes African American,
Hispanic, and gay/lesbian consumers. Founded in 1990, the agency's
multicultural staff creates the advertising, marketing, public relations and
event planning services its clients need to reach these consumer segments.
http://www.newsday.com/business/ny-bzgay054104491jan05,0,5296717.story?coll=ny-business-headlines
BY HARRY BERKOWITZ
STAFF WRITER
January 5, 2005
On a cable TV channel called here!, shows range from a gay parenting series and a holiday drama about a teenager's two gay dads to a romantic comedy about lesbian monogamy set in San Francisco and a farce about gay mobster roommates in New York City.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A12338-2004Dec19.html
By Jacqueline L. Salmon
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, December 20, 2004; Page B02
For decades, Salvation Army volunteers, ringing bells as they stand beside bright red kettles, have been a holiday fixture outside stores nationwide. This year, Target stores have banned them, and religious groups representing millions of evangelical Christians are calling for a boycott to protest the decision.
Target said it is trying to be fair to other charities by ending the exception from Target's non-solicitation policy given to the Salvation Army.
The Christian groups said they believe that the Minneapolis-based retailer has bowed to pressure from gay rights groups that are upset with the Salvation Army's refusal to offer benefits to employees' domestic partners.
http://washingtontimes.com/upi-breaking/20041217-013435-3887r.htm
Oakland, CA, Dec. 17 (UPI) -- A San Francisco Bay area couple has launched Studded, a clothing line for women who prefer masculine styles, the Chronicle reported Friday.
Aisha Pew and Breonna Cole of Oakland say their new line of apparel is the nation's first made expressly for butch lesbians, studs, transgender men and "bois."
http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/business/AP-Foot-Locker-Sued.html
By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: December 16, 2004
Filed at 6:01 p.m. ET
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- An advocacy group for gays and lesbians said Thursday it has reached a settlement with Foot Locker Inc. on behalf of a former employee who said he was harassed by supervisors and co-workers.
Under the agreement, Foot Locker will train its managers and employees on harassment issues and about support and services for workers who feel they have been harassed. The company also will provide a monetary settlement to former employee Kevin Dunbar, according to New York-based Lambda Legal.
http://www.canada.com/businesscentre/story.html?id=d6e55a3a-6674-4eba-bb53-c1ce7d37f73d
| Canadian Press |
TORONTO (CP) - The Supreme Court's same-sex ruling has "branded" Canada a gay-friendly destination, which could be an economic boon for Canada's embattled tourism industry, says the Canadian Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.
Co-founder Bruce McDonald estimates that our "new international image" could draw more than $1 billion over the next three years, as the chamber works with governments and businesses to market Canada as a pro-gay destination.
"After 9/11, SARS and mad cow, this could be a potential comeback for people in the hospitality and tourism industry if they are ready to greet these tourists who've now found a destination they want to visit and experience - or to get married."
Entrepreneurs see business booming thanks to opinion of Supreme Court
By COLIN FREEZE
Friday, December 10, 2004 - Page A5
For the two young men who travelled to Whistler, B.C., from Washington, it was a sublime Canadian moment.
Lanterns, stars and a full moon lit the snowy mountain-valley path. Holding hands, they strolled down it, through the trees and onto a red carpet covering the stairway of a chapel. Once inside, they exchanged vows and later sat down to an intimate champagne-and-candlelight dinner for two in front of a roaring fire.
"It was pretty spectacular," recalled Lizz Kelly, a 39-year-old marriage planner who created that moment -- and others like it -- through her fledgling B.C. business, Whistler Gay Weddings.
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/12/22004e.asp
Push of 'Gay' Agenda Leads to AFA-Sponsored Boycott
Feature by AFA Journal
December 2, 2004
(AgapePress) - A company that has built its empire on its family-friendly image has come "out of the closet" in support of a political campaign waged by homosexual activists. Procter & Gamble (P&G) has been supportive of the homosexual movement for years. However, the company's recent actions in Cincinnati, Ohio, which serves as its headquarters, has led the Mississippi-based American Family Association (AFA) to call for a boycott of P&G. In Cincinnati, homosexual activists headed up a drive to overturn the city's Article 12, a measure passed 11 years ago which prohibits granting special rights for homosexuals. That law passed by an overwhelming 62%-38% margin in 1993. It appears that P&G is determined to help activists accomplish their goal. The company recently wrote to their Cincinnati employees urging them to support the repeal of Article 12. P&G has also donated $40,000 toward that goal.
Tue Nov 30, 9:59 AM ET |
To: National Desk, Business Reporter
Contact: Phillip Sontag, 619-237-7731; or Ben Finzel, 202-828-8809
ST. LOUIS, Nov. 30 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Knowing that a company markets to the gay and lesbian community would not impact consumers' likelihood of purchasing products or affect the way they feel about a particular company, results of a new national survey reveal.
In fact, two-thirds (68 percent) of American adults surveyed indicate that knowing a company promotes its products or services to gays and lesbians has no effect on how they feel about the company. And, the vast majority (81 percent) of respondents indicate it does not matter to them if a company whose products they use on a regular basis also promotes them to the gay and lesbian community.
The survey of more than 1,000 general consumers regarding their sentiments toward marketing to the gay and lesbian community was conducted June 25 - 28 via Opinion Research Corporation's weekly telephone omnibus poll. It was conducted on behalf of Fleishman- Hillard International Communications in conjunction with the launch of FH Out Front, the firm's new communications practice dedicated to helping clients communicate with the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered (LGBT) community. (The survey's margin of error is plus/minus 3 percentage points at the 95 percent confidence level.)
"The world's most visionary and forward-thinking companies communicate to the gay and lesbian community, and Fleishman-Hillard has now expanded our ability to support those communications efforts," said John D. Graham, the firm's chairman and chief executive officer. "The results of this survey show the growing acceptance, both in corporate America and among U.S. consumers, of gay and lesbian individuals. With the addition of FH Out Front, Fleishman-Hillard will be able to help our clients communicate directly with this important audience."
Research estimates the buying power of the lesbian and gay community at $450 billion annually. Common population estimates assume that as much as 10 percent of the U.S. population is either lesbian or gay, a community recognized as one of the largest untapped audiences remaining in the communications marketplace.
The survey also found that a plurality of Americans (45 percent) would do nothing if an organization launched a boycott against companies that market or promote products and services to gays and lesbians. Although 8 percent of respondents said they would participate in such a boycott, more than double that number (20 percent) said they would speak out against the boycott. Three-fourths (77 percent) of respondents indicated they personally know someone who is gay or lesbian, with only 21 percent saying they did not. Even more important is the finding that those who personally know someone who is gay or lesbian are more likely than others to support companies that market to the gay and lesbian community.
"The results of this survey are very encouraging for marketing and communications efforts aimed at gays and lesbians," said Ben Finzel, chair of FH Out Front and a senior vice president in the firm's Washington, D.C., office. "Our survey demonstrates that gay- and lesbian-specific marketing will not adversely affect a company's reputation with its existing audiences. For companies considering entry into this valuable market, this survey should provide encouragement and confidence that gay and lesbian marketing will be a positive step forward for those companies and organizations that want to be out in front of their competition."
The survey also indicated that acceptance of gays and lesbians is not universal, highlighting the challenge of communicating with this audience in a relevant, appropriate way while maintaining interest and support of other audiences. For example, only 39 percent of respondents said they would feel better about a company that supports gays and lesbians and HIV (news - web sites)/AIDS (news - web sites) research, the lowest percentage of any other audience tested. In contrast, 64 percent of respondents would feel better about a company that supports women and breast cancer research. In addition, 23 percent of respondents indicated they would have a lower opinion of a company that specifically markets to gays and lesbians. And while 66 percent of respondents indicated that it would not matter to them if a company used gays and lesbians to market or promote a new, everyday product, one-fourth (24 percent) indicated this would make them less likely to purchase the product.
"As with other multicultural audiences, effective communication to, for, and with gays and lesbians requires more than a simple awareness of the audience," Finzel added. "FH Out Front will help Fleishman-Hillard deliver effective, results-oriented programs for our clients based on an understanding both of the gay and lesbian community and society in general."
Complete survey questions and results are available upon request from Fleishman-Hillard.
Fleishman-Hillard Inc., one of the world's leading public relations firms, has built its reputation on using strategic communications to deliver what its clients value most: meaningful, positive, and measurable impact on the performance of their organizations. The firm is widely recognized for excellent client service and a strong company culture founded on teamwork, integrity, and personal commitment. Based in St. Louis, the firm operates throughout North America, Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia, and South Africa through its 83 owned offices. For more information, visit the Fleishman- Hillard Web site at http://www.fleishman.com.
---
Fleishman-Hillard is a part of Omnicom Group Inc. (NYSE: OMC - news). Omnicom is a leading global advertising, marketing and corporate communications company. Omnicom's branded networks and numerous specialty firms provide advertising, strategic media planning and buying, direct and promotional marketing, public relations, and other specialty communications services to over 5,000 clients in more than 100 countries.
-0-
http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/a0034088.cfm
October 12, 2004
by Terry Phillips, correspondent
A magazine ad pushing fabric softener to homosexuals refocuses attention on Procter & Gamble.
A Procter & Gamble print ad that once appeared in a gay magazine featuring two men in bed together has refocused attention on a growing boycott of the company's products.
We won't reproduce it here, but the sense of the print advertisement is that Downy can even help with wrinkles that come when gays are too eager to get out of their clothes. It first appeared four years ago in a Canadian magazine.
"They're using the excuse that it was a long time ago and it was a mistake," said Phil Burress, president of Citizens for Community Values, who lives in Procter & Gamble's home town of Cincinnati.
As a long-time observer of P&G, Burress doesn't believe it was a mistake.
October 12, 2004
By Dominic Weilminster
Herald Staff Writer
Plans to offer insurance benefits for same-sex partners working at Fort Lewis College have been placed on hold after being rejected by the college's insurance consortium.
Had the request been approved, Fort Lewis would have joined the University of Colorado as one of the few public institutions in the state to offer same-sex benefits, said Vicki Caskey, human resources director for the college.
Caskey said she expects the issue will come up again, and a workable agreement should be possible.
While there has been little response from the majority of Fort Lewis employees, Caskey said there are some who remain concerned.
http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/altavista/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20041008005148&newsLang=en
October 08, 2004 08:30 AM US Eastern Timezone
The Impact of Same Sex Marriages on Employers' Benefits Expenses
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 8, 2004--
Oct. 25 Event Brings Together Leading Legal And Human Resource Executives to Discuss Strategies to Avoid Legal and Public Relations Trouble
The Wall Street Transcript has developed a unique conference on "The Impact of Same Sex Marriages on Employers' Benefits Expenses," which will take place in New York City on October 25. This conference was designed to help senior human resources professionals understand the business and legal implications of same-sex marriage in medium and large organizations. Our expert faculty from PriceWaterhouseCoopers; Robinson & Cole; Witeck-Combs Communications and The Human Rights Campaign and many others will discuss the legal, financial and human resource policy implications of Same Sex Marriages on Employers' Benefits Costs.
"The stakes for employers' misreading the pertinent legislation, regulations and rulings could not be higher," The Wall Street Transcript conference director David Wanetick said. "Same sex marriage will impact employee health care benefits, pensions, paid-leave and COBRA benefits -- pretty much every aspect of human resources planning -- and very few companies have begun to give this issue the attention it deserves."
Some of the issues to be addressed at this first-of-its-kind forum include:
-- When can/must employers deny domestic partner benefits?
-- Which foreign state laws regarding Same Sex Marriage are you required/forbidden to recognize in your state?
http://biz.yahoo.com/bw/041007/75038_1.html
Thursday October 7, 4:55 pm ET
SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 2004--ZippyDogs.com, a promotional products company, is launching a new web site, www.HealthyPride.com, with a focus on health issue messaged products for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community, thus Healthy Pride. The goal of Healthy Pride is to provide resources for organizations that have chosen to disseminate health messages that are LGBT specific.
The products are created by LGBT individuals. Items featured are not your standard health education brochures, but instead are colorful and cutting edge, while remaining informative, using hip, trendy language with which LGBT individuals identify. This may be the only web site in the world that offers LGBT specific health education materials.
Sexually transmitted disease, date rape drugs, amphetamines, and tobacco have a higher level of incidence and consequence in the LGBT community. LGBT individuals can have an aversion to routine health checkups. HealthyPride.com is combining pride in the community and cutting edge messaging to help organizations, entrusted with health education, serve the LGBT community better.
About HealthyPride.com
Elise Lindborg and Kelli Henderson are life partners and the founders of ZippyDogs.com. Elise and Kelli have created HealthyPride.com out of their care for the community. This web site is an evolution of their successful tobacco prevention campaign the "Gay American Smoke Out." HealthyPride.com addresses an expanded range of LGBT health issues. Elise spent over 10 years in tobacco prevention and worked as a Public Health professional. Kelli has a passion for serving the LGBT community in a healthy and positive way.
About ZippyDogs.com
ZippyDogs.com is a Seattle based leader in providing innovative promotional products and memorable marketing opportunities for businesses throughout the U.S. Through its online shopping experience and personalized service via phone placed orders, ZippyDogs.com provides creative design services for its wide range of logo embossed items that generate great lasting impressions for every type of business. ZippyDogs.com was founded in 2000 by Elise Lindborg and Kelli Henderson. ZippyDogs.com has more than 100 corporate clients and has a catalogue of more than fifty thousand different promotional products that range from embroidered sportswear to tchotchkes of every flavor.
http://headlines.agapepress.org/archive/10/52004dw.asp
By Donald E. Wildmon
American Family Association
October 5, 2004
(AgapePress) - Procter & Gamble is headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, a city in the midst of a cultural battle over homosexual rights. In 1993, by an overwhelming 62 percent to 38 percent margin, the citizens of Cincinnati passed Article 12, which prohibited the granting of special rights for homosexuals.
Eleven years later, homosexual activists want those special rights back. P&G is aggressively helping them.
We say this for three reasons. First, P&G has a history of consistently supporting the homosexual agenda. It is disturbing to see P&G promoting a lifestyle that is unnatural and unhealthy.
Second, P&G is working diligently to repeal Article 12, including giving $10,000 to the campaign to overturn the law and giving one of their top officials a leave of absence to head the campaign.
Third, since their pro-homosexual agenda became public knowledge, it has become clear that P&G the company supports the full breadth of the homosexual agenda.
For example, P&G said in a company statement: "Article 12 is
http://www.family.org/cforum/fnif/news/A0034006.cfm
October 4, 2004
by Stuart Shepard, correspondent
People complaining to Procter & Gamble about its support of the gay agenda are getting a confusing letter in response.
Many people who e-mailed their thoughts to Procter & Gamble concerning the company's gay-affirming efforts to repeal a Cincinnati pro-family ordinance—Article 12 —are getting a well-crafted and somewhat confusing response.
The Procter & Gamble e-mail says the company "will not take a position on the legal definition of marriage", and that the Cincinnati ordinance the company opposes has "nothing to do with the marriage debate."
But Ed Vitagliano, a spokesman for the American Family Association, said the company's position can only lead down one path.
"I think Procter & Gamble is spinning this to their own advantage," Vitagliano said, "and they're basically trying to confuse people who are not happy with their take on Article 12. It would eventually, we would think, force them to come out in support of same-sex marriage, because at least in one way of thinking, traditional marriage is discriminatory against other forms of marriage."
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=12924117&BRD=1769&PAG=461&dept_id=74969&rfi=6
By Jesse J. Smith , Freeman staff 09/15/2004
NEW PALTZ - Efforts by a conservative Christian group to proclaim on a local billboard that homosexuality is a curable condition suffered a setback recently when a billboard company refused to rent space to the group.
The Truthful Witness Campaign, a project of the New York Christian Coalition, had planned to rent a billboard on state Route 299 in New Paltz and post an advertisement provided by the Connecticut-based Stephen Bennett Ministries. The billboard was to feature a black-and-white photograph of Bennett with his wife and two children alongside the statement "Wonderful husband. Loving father. Former homosexual. Jesus Christ changes lives."
Bennett says he abandoned his homosexuality after a religious conversion.
The Truthful Witness Campaign, formed in response to same sex-weddings performed this year in New Paltz, was in the process of raising the $4,000 needed to rent the billboard from Highway Displays Inc. when, according to campaign coordinator Diane Garrison, officials from Highway Displays told her they would not allow the ad because of its content.
On Tuesday, the billboard firm's general manager, Jeff Hartman, confirmed that he and company owner Sandra Schwartz had rejected the ad after receiving a single complaint call following media coverage of planned advertisement.
http://www.adweek.com/aw/regional/new_england/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000628422
September 13, 2004
By Lisa van der Pool
BOSTON Volkswagen is making its first attempt to reach the homosexual community, long a key client base for the brand, with new print ads from lead agency Arnold.
Photographer John Arsenault shot the Havas shop's ads in the gay-friendly locations of Provincetown, Mass., Palm Springs, Calif., and Los Angeles. One depicts a Provincetown beach at sunset. Copy in part reads, "This summer, we set out to capture those moments in life when everything gels. When you can be exactly who you are. And express it any way you want." The work retains VW's "Drivers wanted" tagline.
Christian Science Monitor - http://www.csmonitor.com/2004/0830/p17s01-cogn.html?s=hns -
By David R. Francis - [NOTE: I'll leave it to finer minds than mine to dismantle this naive, "whistling past the graveyard" piece from the CSM. Ultimately, though, the economic issue is a red herring. The best the CSM can come up with is that the issue has virtually no impact on the economy. Even if SSM and domestic partnerships proved to be of great financial value to employers (I'm being incredibly generous here), the other side effects trump money evey time. - GW] - Gay marriage challenges society. It roils contemporary politics and raises moral objections for some. But on economists' screens, it barely registers.
CNSNews - http://www.cnsnews.com//ViewCulture.asp?Page=\Culture\archive\200408\CUL20040824c.html -
[NOTE: Nuts. And just as I was getting to ready to trade in my XKE for an LR Discovery.-GW] - Two automakers are partnering with a homosexual activist group by developing a special marketing campaign geared towards homosexuals.
PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW - http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/trib/regional/s_243018.html -
PITTSBURGH, PA - When John Mihelcik clicked on GasBuddy.com, a Web site that tracks retail gasoline prices across the country, a message popped up on the Mt. Lebanon Public Library computer: "Access Denied -- the site you have chosen has been categorized as a sex site."
LIFE SITE - http://www.lifesite.net/ldn/2004/aug/04081607.html -
TORONTO - Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce this year joined forces with homosexual activists, and hosted its first "Gay Pride" reception to coincide with Toronto's "Gay Pride" parade. CIBC employees carried a company-endorsed banner in the parade.
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=39992
Posted: August 17, 2004
1:00 a.m. Eastern
By Ron Strom
© 2004 WorldNetDaily.com
Google has banned a Christian organization's advertisements promoting its stance against homosexuality, saying the group promotes "hate."
Stand to Reason, a nonprofit apologetics organization, says its "AdWord" advertisement on Google recently was pulled down. Specific AdWord ads are listed in the right-hand margin of search results on the popular site when key words an advertiser submits match with those put in by a Net user. A company promoting hats, for example, could have their site displayed when a user searches for information about hats.
Melinda Penner, director of operations for Stand to Reason, says the organization placed four ads on Google. Three of the ads remain on the system, but one leading Net surfers to a Q&A about same-sex marriage was taken down after running for two or three weeks.
"Google's objections had to do with other articles on our website pertaining to homosexuality," Penner told WND. "They claimed that their specialist had deemed us a hate site and that their policies didn't allow people to have ads that discriminated against certain groups, which include sexual orientation."
SPRINGFIELD (MO) NEWS-LEADER - http://branson.news-leader.com/news/0811-Manmakesfa-153670.html -
BRANSON, MO - A news release touting a "Gay Weekend at Silver Dollar City" is falsely claiming "thousands of gays and lesbians from all over the Midwest" will be able to attend the Sept. 4-6 event at a "huge discount."
www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/business/9075360.htm
LISA LEFF
Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif. - Judy Dlugacz knew she was onto something when the cruise ship she chartered for 400 lesbians arrived in the Turkish port of Kusadasi.
Instead of meeting rejection, as they sometimes did on vacations back in the United States, the women travelers got a red carpet welcome from merchants eager to do business with the "lovely lesbian ladies." The half-million dollars they poured into Turkey's economy made the front pages of Istanbul's major newspapers.
"When hundreds of women get off a ship and go shopping, they are noticed," Dlugacz said with a wry grin.
Four years later, the venture Dlugacz founded as a tiny women's record label in 1973 - named Olivia after a character in a 1949 lesbian-themed pulp novel - is making waves again.
The Oakland-based "lifestyle company" embarked on another groundbreaking trip yet over the Independence Day weekend - a Boston-to-Montreal wedding celebration and luxury honeymoon cruise for 1,200 women, featuring Grammy-winning singer k.d. lang as entertainment. The ship was scheduled to set sail Saturday night from Boston.
Olivia Cruises and Resorts announced its honeymoon excursion in December, less than a month after Massachusetts' Supreme Judicial Court ruled that gays and lesbians could obtain marriage licenses in the state. Legal challenges threatened to block the unions _and to put a cork in Olivia's sea of champagne - before the weddings commenced May 17.
http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20040624/us_nm/health_gays_poll_dc_1
By Kim Dixon
CHICAGO (Reuters) - A third of U.S. employers would extend health benefits to same-sex spouses, in the wake of a Massachusetts court's backing gay marriage and after the U.S. Supreme Court sidestepped the issue, a poll found on Thursday.
The survey of human resources officials at 216 companies found that 33 percent would be willing to extend health benefits to same-sex spouses, according to consulting firm Aon Corp.
The poll found that "if an employee requested that a health benefit plan recognize a same-gender spouse," the company would grant that request, according to Aon, which advises companies on employee benefits issues.
About 40 percent of companies said they do not intend to honor such requests and about 28 percent said they didn't know what they would do. (The numbers slightly exceed 100 percent, due to rounding.)
"It is such a politicized issue that there will be more pressure on employers to examine their plans and look at the issue, or provide the benefits in the future," said Paul Sullivan, an assistant vice president at Aon. "It is not an issue that is going to go away."
http://www.fool.com/News/mft/2004/mft04061510.htm
OUR TAKE
By Phil Wohl
June 15, 2004
When Pier 1 Imports (NYSE: PIR) hired Queer Eye for the Straight Guy interior design guru Thom Filicia as its pitchman, it hoped to tap into a whole new audience. But potential customers, whether gay or straight, have failed to move off the couches they purchased from other retail sources.
The company, which lowered its first-quarter guidance earlier this month, reported earnings of $0.13 per share this morning. The results were in the middle of the revised $0.12 to $0.14 estimate (down from $0.14 to $0.17). Last year's earnings of $0.21 per share seem like a distant memory now.
Net sales declined 7.3%, and comparable-store sales dropped 1.8%, signaling the reddest of flags for the company. In a robust housing and interest rate environment, numbers this red are embarrassing. Maybe Pier 1 should get Carson, Kyan, Ted, and the superfluous Jai to join Thom on their ads; or maybe it should change its name to Pier 5 to more align itself with the incredible turnarounds produced by the Fab Five.
washingtontimes.com/metro/20040612-120309-9376r.htm
Gay activists target tourism
By Guy Taylor
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Homosexual activists are calling for a boycott of Virginia because of its new ban on civil unions, but business and tourism leaders yesterday said it is too early to gauge the impact of such a boycott.
A new Web site started by homosexual activists in Seattle, VirginiaisforHaters.org, urges would-be tourists to boycott Virginia companies and their products. The Web site's name satirizes the state's tourism catch phrase: Virginia Is for Lovers.
"By all means, don't take your tourism dollars there until they disprove their new slogan, 'Virginia Is for Haters,' " the Web site states.
Jay G. Porter, one of the Web site's founders, said he expects the boycott to force Virginia's Republican-controlled legislature to rethink its ban on civil unions.
"If you stack a gay consumer up against your typical Wal-Mart shopper and look at the kinds of margins that we drive for retailers and in the hospitality industry, I think any business person looking at those numbers would ask Virginia exactly what they had in mind when passing a law so clearly designed to make us feel unwelcome," Mr. Porter said.
www.startribune.com/stories/535/4824823.html
H.J. Cummins, Star Tribune
June 12, 2004 MASS0612
Never mind what it means for religion or politics. Same-sex marriage is a huge employee-benefit issue.
With hundreds of gay and lesbian couples saying "I do" in Boston -- and briefly in San Francisco, Portland and New Paltz, N.Y. -- employers are trying to figure out what these new marriages have set in motion.
For Minnesota companies with offices in Massachusetts, the issue is upon them. For some others, it's probably only a matter of time before someone comes back from Massachusetts or Ontario -- which both allow same-sex marriage -- and asks that the companion be recognized as spouse in a benefits plan.
For now, employers looking for guidance encounter a crazy quilt of laws, tax regulations and company policies, some of which can seem contradictory.
Experts point to a number of reasons for the confusion:
• Most