Group sees red over golden arches

You won’t likely find members of the American Family Association (AFA) in line at McDonald’s now that the group is boycotting the restaurant for supporting the GLBT community.

Tim Wildmon, president of AFA, told The Washington Post that the association proceeded with a boycott on July 3 when McDonald's declined to remove itself from the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce.

According to the AFA Web site, the group was founded in 1977 and represents and stands for traditional family values, focusing primarily on the influence of television and other media – including pornography – on society. The AFA began the boycott after Pat Harris, global chief diversity officer of McDonald’s Corp., reaffirmed the restaurant chain’s support of diversity, including sexual orientation, in a letter written May 29 to Wildmon.

“We treat our employees and our customers with respect and dignity, regardless of their ethnicity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or other factors,” Harris said in the letter. “We have a well-established and proud heritage of associating with individuals and organizations that share in the belief that every person has the right to live and work in their community free of discrimination.”

Since then, the AFA launched the Web site www.boycottmcdonalds.com encouraging others to join the boycott until the fast food chain takes a neutral stance on GLBT issues.

Eric Bloem, deputy director of the Human Rights Campaign Workplace Project, said there is a clear trend that business is leading the way toward the GLBT community, from marketing to GLBT to offering domestic partner benefits.

‘It is clear through the latest boycott issued by the American Family Association, that the group is grasping at straws trying to promote its agenda," Bloem said. "McDonald's, like most major businesses, increasingly recognize and value GLBT diversity and inclusion as a critical element to their success."

According to the site, the AFA chose to boycott the corporation for “refusing to remain neutral in the cultural wars.” The site states, “McDonald’s has chosen to give the full weight of their corporation to promoting the homosexual agenda, including homosexual marriage.”

Chris Sanders, president of the Tennessee Equality Project, said the AFA's decision calls the group's principles into question.

"If they think we're sinners, then they should be sitting down to dinner with us as Jesus himself did with those considered sinners in his day," Sanders said. "Instead, they rudely get up from the supper table before the conversation has even begun.  Bad religious principles, bad manners."

WhistlePig + Alfa Romeo F1

SHOREHAM, VT (September 13, 2023) — WhistlePig Whiskey, the leaders in independent craft whiskey, and Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake are waving the checkered flag on a legend-worthy release that’s taking whiskey to G-Force levels. The Limited Edition PiggyBack Legends Series: Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is a high Rye Whiskey selected by the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake drivers, with barrels trialed in their wind tunnel to ensure a thrilling taste in every sip.

The third iteration in WhistlePig’s Single Barrel PiggyBack Legends Series, the Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake Barrel is bottled at 96.77 proof, a nod to Valtteri Bottas’ racing number, 77, and the precision of racing. Inspired by Zhou Guanyu, the first Chinese F1 driver, this Rye Whiskey is finished with lychee and oolong tea. Herbal and floral notes of the oolong tea complement the herbaceous notes of WhistlePig’s signature PiggyBack 100% Rye, rounded out with a juicy tropical fruit finish and a touch of spice.

Keep readingShow less
by Spectrum Medical Care Center

Nurse Practitioner Ari Kravitz

When I started medical transition at 20 years old, it was very difficult to get the care I needed for hormone replacement therapy because there are very few providers trained in starting hormones for trans people, even though it’s very similar to the hormones that we prescribe to women in menopause or cisgender men with low testosterone.

I hope more providers get trained in LGBTQ+ healthcare, so they can support patients along their individual gender journey, and provide the info needed to make informed decisions about their body. I’ve personally seen my trans patients find hope and experience a better quality of life through hormone replacement therapy.

Keep readingShow less

Descanso Resort swimming pool and lounge area

Descanso Resort, Palm Springs' premier destination for gay men, just received Tripadvisor's highest honor, a Travelers' Choice "Best of the Best" award for 2023. Based on guests' reviews and ratings, fewer than 1% of Tripadvisor's 8 million listings around the world receive the coveted "Best of the Best" designation. Descanso ranked 12th in the top 25 small inns and hotels category in the United States. Quite an accomplishment!

Open less than two years, Descanso Resort offers gay men a relaxing and luxurious boutique hotel experience just minutes away from Palm Springs' buzziest restaurants, nightclubs, and shopping. Descanso has quickly established itself as a top destination for sophisticated gay travelers, earning hundreds of 5-star guest reviews and consistently ranking in Trapadvisor's top positions alongside brother properties Santiago Resort and Twin Palms Resort.

Keep readingShow less