Wal-Mart Bows To RW Religious Freaks - Stops Donating To GLBT Groups

[matcom]

<snip>

NEW YORK (FORTUNE) -- Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has decided to curb its support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) organizations after conservative Christian groups threatened a boycott, and after some of its own employees expressed disapproval.

The move comes a year after Wal-Mart (Charts, Fortune 500) had put on a gay-friendly smile. The company joined the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. It sponsored the annual convention of Out & Equal, a group that promotes gay rights in the workplace, and sold gay-themed jewelry in stores.

"We are not currently planning corporate-level contributions to GLBT groups," said Mona Williams, the company's senior vice president of corporate communications. Individual stores can still donate to gay groups.

By way of explanation, Ms. Williams cited a policy adopted last fall saying that Wal-Mart would not make corporate contributions "to support or oppose highly controversial issues" unless they directly relate to the company's ability to serve its customers.

How significant is the pullback? Williams says it does not signal any less support for its GLBT employees or for Wal-Mart Pride, a network of gay employees at the company. She's an executive sponsor of the group, which was sanctioned in 2005. "We certainly don't feel that it's a retrenchment," she said.

http://money.cnn.com/2007/06/22/magazines/fortune/pluggedin_gunther_walmart.fortune/index.htm?postversion=2007062211

[WindRavenX]

1. yeah, and the GLBTQ community is just "uppity"

:eyes:

Real discrimination. And not from a surprising source :puke:

FWIW, my fiance, who works at Target, is paid a living wage and they proudly support National GLBTQ Month.

[DaveinMD]

2. fiance?

When did that happen? Congrats.

[WindRavenX]

3. shit.

Cat's out of the bag :o

[DaveinMD]

12. you didn't answer

when did it happen. Give Kyle my best.

[Wildewolfe]

7. I get GLBT....

... but Q? I live under a rock at times I think... what is the Q and when did it get added to the acronym...

[WindRavenX]

9. Questioning

:hi:

[Mythsaje]

11. Target is very gay friendly...

I'm proud to work there. Just plain nice people all around.

[Tejanocrat]

4. We should boycott Wal-Mart ... wait, I'm ALREADY boycotting Wal-Mart

[BlooInBloo]

5. (shrug) They also lie about refusing to sell more than 2 cell phones to a customer....

... Why anyone expects anything approaching human decency from them is beyond me.

http://www.prepaidreviews.com/blog/consumer-issues/why-wal-mart-will-refuse-to-sell-you-prepaid-cell-phones-34581/

[mainegreen]

6. They're trapped: to not support it now is highly controvertial.

[rurallib]

8. Sure would be nice if GLBT and supporters quit donating to Walmart

Or rather quit shopping there.

[mainegreen]

10. So many reasons not to shop at Walmart...

why pick just one?

Edited to add: It tough for rural folks though, where its the only game in town and the next 5 towns around you.