NEWS RELEASE:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 17, 2008

CONTACT:  Diane Gramley   1.814.271.9078 or 1.814.437.5355

Pennsylvania Pro-family Group Announces Its Support of McDonalds’ Boycott

(Chicago) – Yesterday the American Family Association of Pennsylvania (AFA of PA) participated in a joint news conference in front of the McDonalds restaurant across from McDonalds world headquarters in Oak Brook, IL.  Others participating included the American Family Association, Americans for Truth about Homosexuality, Culture Campaign, Illinois Family Institute and Liberty Counsel. 

“The Golden Arches, Ronald McDonald, Big Macs and Quarter Pounders are all terms known by the average American.  How many times has the average American family of mom, dad and 1.34 children gone to McDonalds for a night out and a chance for the kids to play at McDonalds Playland? How many of those families know that McDonalds now supports the redefinition of marriage and family to mean two men or two women legally married?  McDonalds donation to and membership in the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce mean just that,” noted Diane Gramley, president of the AFA of PA. 

Those attending the news conference in favor of the boycott ranged in age from six-years-old to grandmother.  All were very concerned that McDonalds membership in the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC) also means their support of that homosexual organization’s agenda.  NGLCC and obviously their partners such as McDonalds support the Employment Non-Discrimination Act which would permit men who think they are women to use the women’s restroom, dressing rooms and shower facilities in the workplace.  They also support hate crimes legislation which would effectively silence those who believe the homosexual lifestyle is wrong.  The legalization of same-sex marriage is something the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and their partners – including apparently McDonalds --  would love to see happen in this nation. 

“As America’s families have visited McDonalds 13,700 U.S. restaurants over the years – billions and billions served according to McDonalds -- little did they know that those golden arches would change their colors to the color of the rainbow representing McDonalds support of the homosexual agenda and in essence turn their back on the very families of a mom, dad and 1.34 kids – who made them the corporate giant that they are,” further stated Gramley. 

This is not about McDonalds hiring homosexuals; this is not about homosexuals eating at McDonalds – those are not the problems – the problem is McDonalds using its corporate clout to undermine the very families that buy their products.   McDonalds made a $20,000 donation to the NGLCC and their Vice President of Communications Richard Ellis is now on the Board of Directors of this homosexual organization. 

“McDonalds’ has made the wrong decision to become involved in the culture war and to support an agenda that their average customer knows is wrong.  We join other pro-family groups in calling on McDonalds to leave the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and to stop supporting the homosexual agenda,” Gramley concluded.

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