Procter & Gamble Supports a Controversial Cincinnati Gay Rights Proposal and Homosexual Marriage–Truth! & Fiction!
Summary of eRumor:
The eRumor encourages a boycott of Procter & Gamble for the company’s support of a controversial ballot issue in Cincinnati that is regarded as a pro-homosexual measure.
The Truth:
It is true that Procter & Gamble contributed to a gay-supported campaign in Cincinnati.
It is not true that Procter & Gamble has made a decision to explicitly support homosexual marriage.
In 1992 the Cincinnati, Ohio City Council approved an ordinance that prohibited discrimination for, among other things, sexual orientation.
A loud protest resulted from those who objected to homosexuality being ranked along with race, gender, age, and religion as a reason for protection.
A year later, 62 percent of Cincinnati voters responded to that action by passing an amendment to the city charter (Title XII) which forbids the city from providing protected status to persons “because of homosexual, lesbian, or bisexual orientation.”
It’s been a hot debate ever since and in November, 2004 the citizens of Cincinnati voted to overturn that ordinance and to once again include sexual orientation in protection from discrimination.
Procter & Gamble’s headquarters is in Cincinnati and the company made a $10,000 contribution to the group that was pushing for the repeal of Article XII.
Procter & Gamble said that its support of the repeal was not a vote for homosexuality, but against discrimination.
The American Family Association and Dr. James Dobson’s Focus on the Family had encouraged a boycott of two of Procter & Gambles products, Tide soap and Crest toothpaste, as a protest of the company’s policies regarding homosexuality.
In a statement, Dobson said that even though Procter & Gamble has not officially endorsed homosexual marriage, its statements “communicate the notion that restricting marriage to one man and one woman is discriminatory.”
updated 11/05/04
Subject: P&G policy leads to support for homosexual marriage
CREST, TIDE MAKER GIVES MONEY, CLOUT TO REPEAL LAW FORBIDDING SPECIAL RIGHTS FOR HOMOSEXUALS
P&G policy leads to support for homosexual marriage
Dear Walter,
Procter & Gamble, makers of Crest toothpaste and Tide detergent, has publicly thrown their support and money behind the homosexual political agenda.
P&G recently wrote to their Cincinnati employees <http://www.pgboycott.com/pginformation.pdf> urging them to support the repeal of a city law that forbids giving special rights to homosexuals. In 1993, the citizens in Cincinnati adopted the law by a vote of 62% to 38%. P&G is now working to get that law repealed and has given $10,000 toward that goal <http://www.pgboycott.com/pgcontributions.pdf> .
To our knowledge, Procter & Gamble is the first company to support the political agenda of the homosexual movement.
While not explicitly saying so in their public announcement supporting the repeal, P&G clearly showed their support for homosexual marriage. P&G said they “will not tolerate discrimination [against homosexuals] in any form, against anyone, for any reason.” To keep homosexuals from being legally married is discrimination, which P&G says they will not tolerate. Taking them at their word, P&G supports homosexual marriage.
Take Action
American Family Association is asking pro-family groups and individuals to:
(1) Boycott two products of P&G-Crest toothpaste and Tide detergent. (Make sure your replacement is not a P&G product.)
(2) Call Chrm. A.G. Lafley at 513-983-1100 and politely let him know that you are participating in the boycott and will ask others to do the same.
(3) Please Click Here to register your support for the boycott <http://www.pgboycott.com/signpetition.asp> . We will send a regular update to P&G on the number participating.
(4) Please forward this email to your friends and family.
(5) Click here to print out and distribute the boycott Crest and Tide petition <http://www.pgboycott.com/PGBoycottPetition.pdf> .
Sincerely,
Donald E. Wildmon, Founder and Chairman
American Family Association <http://www.afa.net>
P.S. Click here <http://www.pgboycott.com/productlist.asp> for a complete list of P&G products.