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,
Posted by Randy Thomas on Wednesday, October 12, 2005 | Permalink
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
Posted by Randy Thomas on Monday, August 15, 2005 | Permalink
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
Posted by Randy Thomas on Monday, July 11, 2005 | Permalink
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
Posted by Randy Thomas on Friday, July 01, 2005 | Permalink
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.
Posted by Randy Thomas on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 | Permalink
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."
Posted by Randy Thomas on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 | Permalink
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
Posted by Randy Thomas on Tuesday, May 31, 2005 | Permalink
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 [email protected]
Source: Harris Interactive Inc.
Posted by Randy Thomas on Tuesday, April 05, 2005 | Permalink
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.
Posted by Randy Thomas on Tuesday, March 22, 2005 | Permalink
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.
Posted by Randy Thomas on Wednesday, January 05, 2005 | Permalink