Beleaguered Ford Motor Co., struggling to get back into the black by
2009, could be the first corporate victim of the so-called "culture
wars" due to a boycott led by Christian-centered conservative groups.

Ford lost $12.7 billion last year, the largest single-year loss in its
103-year history. Last December, the No. 2 American automaker mortgaged
all of its U.S. assets to acquire $23 billion to finance a dramatic
turnaround plan.

Ford has a lot more than likes of Toyota and Honda to worry about,
however: it is facing a boycott of its products spearheaded by the
American Family Association (AFA) and more than two dozen other
conservative groups.

Not Just 'Ford'

The boycott asks Christians not to buy cars from Ford or its seven other
brands: Lincoln, Mercury, Volvo, Jaguar, Land Rover, Aston Martin, and
Mazda. The reason: Ford's sponsorship of "gay pride" events, its
financial support of organizations such as the Gay and Lesbian Alliance
Against Defamation (GLAAD), and its advertising in gay magazines and
television programs.

 AFA spokesman Randy Sharp says the boycott has clearly contributed to
Ford's financial problems. Sharp emphasizes that 650,000 people have
signed an online BoycottFord.com petition.

Donald E. Wildmon, the AFA's chairman, also claims a scratch is evident
in Ford's corporate armor, pointing to the fact that the company appears
to be quietly dropping its advertising from homosexual magazines.

Impact

"Ford has felt the impact of the boycott, and this is their way out to
save face. Ford has elected to drop support for the homosexual
publications and remain silent about it," he says

Promises, Promises

It promised it would not renew current promotions, or create incentive
programs that give cash donations to homosexual organizations based on
the purchase of a vehicle.

The car company also pledged that it would not make corporate donations
to homosexual organizations that, as part of their activities, engage in
political or social campaigns to promote civil unions or same-sex marriage.

Finally, Ford said it would stop giving cash and vehicle donations, or
endorsements, to homosexual social activities, such as "gay pride" parades.

However, just as the AFA was ready to celebrate victory, a consortium of
gay groups slammed the brakes on the deal. They declared that the
agreement between Ford and the AFA was unacceptable.

At that point, Bill Ford announced that all Ford brands would support
gay media with advertising, and the boycott battle began in earnest.

Now, after a full year of boycott, the AFA is considering whether to
extend it.

"At this time we continue to monitor Ford's activities," Sharp says.
"Ford has continued advertising in homosexual magazines ... [W]e may
extend that boycott to a continuance of a longer period of time."


Sharp says the embargo has taken on a vigorous life of its own.

The AFA's e-mail distribution list has grown from 2 million to nearly
3.5 million since the boycott began, he says.

"We continue to see the number of people grow who are becoming newly
aware of Ford's support for homosexuality," Sharp says.

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