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Family Advocates Take McDonald's Boycott to Home of the Golden Arches After "Hate" Smear

By Peter J. Smith

OAK BROOK, Illinois, July 16, 2008 (LifeSiteNews.com) - The boycott against McDonald's over its public support of a gay lobby group pushing same-sex "marriage" has now escalated, as the pro-family groups the global hamburger giant accused recently of "hate" have brought the fight right to the home of the famed Golden Arches.

The American Family Association (AFA), Americans for Truth, the Illinois Family Institute, and the legal advocacy group Liberty Counsel held a joint press conference Wednesday in front of the McDonald's restaurant across from McDonald's corporate headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois to protest the corporation's statements that people opposed to its support of the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), were motivated by "hate."

The family groups had asked McDonald's to stop supporting the NGLCC, which advocates same-sex "marriage," and repeated their call for McDonald's to remain neutral in the culture wars.

"Unfortunately, McDonald's has chosen to side with militant homosexual activists over people with traditional values," stated Matt Barber, Director of Cultural Affairs with Liberty Counsel. "The company has further escalated the controversy by lodging a personal attack against the tens of millions of Americans who support traditional sexual morality and legitimate marriage."

Barber continued, "While referring to Christians and other people with traditional values, McDonald's spokesman Bill Whitman arrogantly told the Washington Post that, 'Hatred has no place in our culture,' thereby suggesting that people who support the historical definition of marriage are simply motivated by 'hate.'

"This insult is highly offensive, and anyone who supports traditional marriage should boycott McDonald's and tell the company why they're doing so."

The American Family Association, which has at least 2.2 million members, declared the boycott of McDonald's after the company refused repeated requests to withdraw McDonald's name, logo, and endorsement from the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) website.

McDonald's established closer ties with the NGLCC earlier this year by donating $20,000 to obtain membership as a "Corporate Partner and Organizational Ally" and a seat for Richard Ellis, Vice President of Communications for McDonald's USA on the group's board of directors.

The NGLCC frequently lobbies Congress on same-sex "marriage" and other aspects of the homosexual agenda and credits its supporters on its website for their success: "Through the commitment of our corporate partners, the NGLCC has been able to advance the ideas and causes of the LGBT business community."

The AFA has stated that its boycott has nothing to do with the company's hiring or treatment of homosexuals, but instead is "about McDonald's, as a corporation, choosing to put the full weight of their corporation behind promoting the homosexual agenda, including homosexual marriage."

The AFA says McDonald's membership in the NGLCC is problematic for families because statements made by CEO Jim Skinner indicate McDonald's will promote issues they approve.

"Being a socially responsible organization is a fundamental part of who we are," Skinner told shareholders in 2007. "We have an obligation to use our size and resources to make a difference in the world...and we do."

The AFA boycott petition may be found here:
http://www.boycottmcdonalds.com/

Contact info for McDonald's:

Andrew J. McKenna, President
McDonald's Corporation USA
McDonald's Plaza
Oak Brook, IL  60523
Phone: 1-800-244-6227
or: 630-623-3000
Fax: 630-623-5004
Website email:  http://www.mcdonalds.com/app_controller.custsat.custsat_form...

McDonald's Restaurants of Canada Limited
McDonald's Place
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M3C 3L4
Ph: (416) 443-3932
Fax: (416) 446-3443

See previous and related coverage by LifeSiteNews.com:

McDonalds Strikes Back at Family Boycott with Charges of "Hate"
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08071110.html  

Golden Arches Awash in Rainbow Colors: Family Group Boycotts McDonalds for Support for Homosexual Agenda
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jul/08070402.html

McDonald's Throws up A Smoke Screen to Cover Support for Homosexual Agenda
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/apr/08040905.html

Ronald McDonald Cozies Up To Homosexual Movement
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/mar/08033105.html

Heinz in Pickle as Gay Mayo Ad Continues to Spread Backlash - Now Gays Join Boycott Bandwagon
http://www.lifesitenews.com/ldn/2008/jun/08062611.html

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