ChuckD
The Gay Lord of Freestyle
Falwell attacks Kraft over Gay Games tie
The Rev. Jerry Falwell is adding his voice to a conservative movement to punish Kraft Foods for its sponsorship of the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago, just as the Illinois state House and city newspapers are coming to the aid of the event.
In his monthly National Liberty Journal, Falwell wrote, "Multiple millions of Americans who loyally purchase Kraft products have a right to express their opinion on the company's decision to link itself with the Gay Games. These people have a right to say, 'If Kraft insists on sponsoring the Gay Games, I will be compelled to seek alternative brands at the grocery store.'"
Falwell added, "Please considerately express ... your desire that Kraft Foods withdraw its corporate sponsorship of Gay Games VII."
The article included the corporate address of Kraft Foods Inc. CEO, Roger K. Deromedi.
Falwell's complaint follows criticisms from the American Family Association and the Illinois Family Institute. While both have decried the sponsorship of the games, neither has organized a boycott.
Kraft contributed $25,000 to Gay Games VII. A Kraft Foods spokeswoman would not comment on Falwell's article, except to tell Crain's Chicago Business, "We are sticking with our sponsorship. We are not pulling out."
Kevin Boyer, spokesman for Chicago Games Inc., the host organization for the Gay Games, said, "How bad must the right-wing extremists hate gay people to not want us to play softball? Despite their claims, their views of the Gay Games and the Kraft sponsorship are not shared by the vast majority of people -- gay or straight. Political, business and religious leaders from Chicago, Illinois and the world have already responded with their voices of support for Chicago 2006, Kraft Foods and all of our sponsors."
Boyer pointed out that the Illinois State House of Representatives adopted a resolution on May 31 in support of the 2006 Chicago Gay Games.
State Rep. Kenneth Dunkin, who sponsored the resolution, told reporters, "The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender [LGBT] communities of Illinois contribute so much to the economy and culture of this state. The Gay Games has already created jobs and revenue for the businesses of Chicago. In July 2006, Gay Games VII will have an impact on par with some of the city's largest conventions and sports events. It makes good business sense to support this kind of positive economic activity, and we're delighted to welcome the world to Chicago next year."
Both the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Daily Herald published editorials supporting the Gay Games and chastising the religious right for its intolerance.
"If the 'family' group wants to take on the gay community, it should do so on the diamond at the Gay Games," wrote Burt Constable in the June 11 edition of the Daily Herald. "A softball game between 'The Switch-hitters' and 'The Straight Shooters' would be more entertaining than anything the Olympics could offer."
The Rev. Jerry Falwell is adding his voice to a conservative movement to punish Kraft Foods for its sponsorship of the 2006 Gay Games in Chicago, just as the Illinois state House and city newspapers are coming to the aid of the event.
In his monthly National Liberty Journal, Falwell wrote, "Multiple millions of Americans who loyally purchase Kraft products have a right to express their opinion on the company's decision to link itself with the Gay Games. These people have a right to say, 'If Kraft insists on sponsoring the Gay Games, I will be compelled to seek alternative brands at the grocery store.'"
Falwell added, "Please considerately express ... your desire that Kraft Foods withdraw its corporate sponsorship of Gay Games VII."
The article included the corporate address of Kraft Foods Inc. CEO, Roger K. Deromedi.
Falwell's complaint follows criticisms from the American Family Association and the Illinois Family Institute. While both have decried the sponsorship of the games, neither has organized a boycott.
Kraft contributed $25,000 to Gay Games VII. A Kraft Foods spokeswoman would not comment on Falwell's article, except to tell Crain's Chicago Business, "We are sticking with our sponsorship. We are not pulling out."
Kevin Boyer, spokesman for Chicago Games Inc., the host organization for the Gay Games, said, "How bad must the right-wing extremists hate gay people to not want us to play softball? Despite their claims, their views of the Gay Games and the Kraft sponsorship are not shared by the vast majority of people -- gay or straight. Political, business and religious leaders from Chicago, Illinois and the world have already responded with their voices of support for Chicago 2006, Kraft Foods and all of our sponsors."
Boyer pointed out that the Illinois State House of Representatives adopted a resolution on May 31 in support of the 2006 Chicago Gay Games.
State Rep. Kenneth Dunkin, who sponsored the resolution, told reporters, "The lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender [LGBT] communities of Illinois contribute so much to the economy and culture of this state. The Gay Games has already created jobs and revenue for the businesses of Chicago. In July 2006, Gay Games VII will have an impact on par with some of the city's largest conventions and sports events. It makes good business sense to support this kind of positive economic activity, and we're delighted to welcome the world to Chicago next year."
Both the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Daily Herald published editorials supporting the Gay Games and chastising the religious right for its intolerance.
"If the 'family' group wants to take on the gay community, it should do so on the diamond at the Gay Games," wrote Burt Constable in the June 11 edition of the Daily Herald. "A softball game between 'The Switch-hitters' and 'The Straight Shooters' would be more entertaining than anything the Olympics could offer."
