McDonald’s Chief Says No Gay-Positive Ads Will Run In US: “I’m Christian”; Gay Group Cuts Ties

Don Thompson, McDonald’s President and Chief of Operations, is under fire for making non-gay-friendly remarks in a Chicago Tribune interview. Thompson was discussing an ad running in France.

Tribune: A French TV ad featuring a gay teen and his father has stirred some controversy — not there, but here. Can you talk about that?

Thompson: It is an example that markets, cultures are very different around the world. (For instance), I’ve never shied away from the fact that I’m a Christian. I have my own personal beliefs and I don’t impose those on anybody else. …(We talk) about things that may have an implication in one part of the world and may be the cultural norm in another part of the world. And those are things that, yes, we’re going to learn from. But, you’re right, that commercial won’t show in the United States.

So Thompson says he doesn’t want to impose his beliefs on anyone else, and yet he uses it to justify his view of how the “culture” is in the United States. As a result, the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce has severed its ties with the chain, issuing a statement that reads, in part:

We strongly believe that McDonald’s plan to distance itself from LGBT and other diverse business segments, coupled with the release of the French TV ad, is ill advised and counter to the spirit of good business and sound ethics. We sincerely hope that McDonald’s will reconsider its position and that the company will again show its support for LGBT people, our families and our businesses — not just where it is politically expedient, but around the globe.

Barring a significant change in policy on the part of McDonald’s, please consider this letter as official notice that the NGLCC will not accept future support or membership by McDonald’s or any of its subsidiaries. Additionally, please note that we will answer any questions about this communication, the past relationship between our organizations or any other questions by members of the NGLCC, the media or other interested parties with nothing less than factual and accurate information based on our communications and experiences with McDonald’s and its representatives.

Here is the ad, called “Come as you Are.”

By: Alan

Alan Colmes is the publisher of Liberaland.