Walmart and gays...

[cynatnite]

A little while ago a friend came over and told me of a rumor he heard about Walmart. He was told that Walmart was setting up a section in their stories for gays and lesbians that would have sex toys and other material in it. I told him that it's not true and he asked how would I know since I had never heard of it. I answered because it's Walmart. He laughed and realized how stupid it was.

This reminded me of yesterday when I was helping my RW mother with her computer. Her emails are of the scary variety. Prophecies, praying for bush and xenophobia is much of it. I saw one that referenced Walmart and gays. Asked her about it and she said she couldn't remember. I love my mom, but I didn't buy it.

So, the only way to figure what this thing was about Walmart and gays...I decided snopes was the way to go. Here is what has the fundies so upset:

Claim: Wal-Mart has partnered with the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

Status: True.

Wal-Mart asks for, and receives, permission to join homosexual marriage group

Read "Wal-Mart Partners With Gay and Lesbian Group"

Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the world, has asked for and received permission to join the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The NGLCC is a leading promoter of homosexual marriage.

Although Wal-Mart has never excluded homosexuals from being employees, customers, or suppliers, the company wanted to be more closely identified with promoting the homosexual agenda. Wal-Mart is now a "corporate member" of the NGLCC, putting their approval on the NGLCC's efforts to abolish the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. A Wal-Mart vice president will serve as an advisor to the NGLCC, helping them promote homosexual marriage.

Wal-Mart agreed to give $25,000 to the NGLCC and to pay for two conferences scheduled by NGLCC. Also, Wal-Mart will give homosexual-owned businesses special treatment when making purchases. Companies not owned by homosexuals will be moved down the list.

NGLCC called Wal-Mart's action "part of the company's ongoing commitment to advancing diversity (homosexuality) among all of its associate, supplier and customer bases."

Wal-Mart is offering the same kind of support for homosexual marriage which Ford Motor Company has been giving to homosexual groups for years.

TAKE ACTION

1. Send your email to Wal-Mart.

2. Wal-Mart often blocks our emails. To make sure your voice is heard, please call Wal-Mart's home office headquarters and ask for Chairman Rob Walton at 479-273-4000. Also, call your local Wal-Mart manager and express your concerns. Please, be polite when you call!

3. Print out and distribute our specially produced Pass Along Sheet.

Send Your Letter Now!

Origins: In August 2006, mega-retailer Wal-Mart announced a partnership with National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) which includes representation on that organization's corporate advisory council. By entering
into a partnership with the NGLCC, the company "is making a very sincere effort to reach out to people who are a significant part of our customer base," said Wal-Mart spokesman Bob McAdam.

However, this move on the part of Wal-Mart to increase its appeal to one segment of the buying public comes at the cost of offending another. Conservative groups are displeased with the retail giant's alliance with homosexual groups and have been vocal in their opposition to it. The e-mailed "action alert" quoted above, for instance, was sent by Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman of the American Family Association (AFA).

http://www.snopes.com/politics/sexuality/walmart.asp

[I Have A Dream]

1. Very pleasantly surprising. n/t

[Bill McBlueState]

2. this part of the scare e-mail is interesting:

Although Wal-Mart has never excluded homosexuals from being employees, customers, or suppliers, the company wanted to be more closely identified with promoting the homosexual agenda.

You know there have to be people out there who really think Wal-Mart should prevent gay people from shopping at their stores.

[cynatnite]

3. Yeah, but Walmart is too greedy...

if there was a market for slavery Walmart would promote it.

[brentspeak]

4. This nation can do better. Responsible retailers who are also not

anti-gay are what's needed.

[DaveJ]

5. Wal-mart does not discriminate...

They will bankrupt society no matter who you are. The problem with these soulless corporations is that they treat people like automatons. This is totally in line with their agenda to create a Banana Republic. Work at one of these big box store and see what that means.

Listen, it is not doing gays and lesbians a favor by inviting them to shop and work in their stores. They care about one thing: the bottom line. They care more about their shareholders' profit and do not care about anything that happens in the community.

If we let these corporations spread nobody will be able to make a livable income, except the few arrogant and moral vacant 'managers' who's only qualification is that they have no problem treating full grown adults like robots or like children. Please do not fall for this.