Wal-Mart moves to draw gay shoppers (does not offer domestic partnership)

[Omaha Steve]

Full story: http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/business/15347941.htm



Wal-Mart moves to draw gay shoppers
BY MARILYN GEEWAX
Cox News Service

Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the retail giant that grew up in the rural South, is moving to attract gay shoppers as it expands its presence in urban centers.

By entering into a partnership with the National Gay and Lesbian Chamber of Commerce this week, the company "is making a very sincere effort to reach out to people who are a significant part of our customer base," Wal-Mart spokesman Bob McAdam said Wednesday.

"I am proud of that effort," he said.

But Wal-Mart did not issue a news release about the alliance, leaving the chamber to announce it. And as news of the partnership trickles out, a backlash is taking shape among some conservatives.

[Kutjara]

1. Oh ma gawd, Cleetus, them Wal-Mart boys're...

...gonna let faggits into them stoas to rape ah babies!!! Where'n Hell are we gonna buy dual banjos nah?

[L0oniX]

2. How about a discount for Chinese patrons too

F*cking out sourcing ass carrots can go f*ck themselves.

[keepCAblue]

3. How dare they!

Courting gay customers and our hard-earned dollars while at the same time actively supporting and donating to the conservative reich whose mission is to take away our rights and dignity.

[Kutjara]

8. Well, the Nazis were happy to squeeze the Jews...

...for their money at the same time they were planning their destruction. There's a long and noble history of rightwing scumbags fleecing the very victims they are busy creating. The Neocons are no different.

[pooja]

4. The 2 growing economic people's in America are:

Latinos, and gay people. Latinos, with their mass numbers, make up a lot of buying power in America. Gay people have been shown to have demographicaly been shown to make more money and have less family ties to spend their money on. I have seen this in sales promotion material now for at least 3 to 5 yrs. Money is money to corporate America. Polarizing issues wins elections (politicians deal)... After 2006 is over, we will forget about immigration issues and sex issues by the ongoing saga of minute by minute footage of the Ramsey trial.

[patricia92243]

5. Draw gays? Are they buying something the rest of us don't buy? What can

Wal-Mart do to draw gays? This does not make sense to me.

[Anakin Skywalker]

6. Most Gays are Too Hip

to even step into stodgy, boring Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart is just not cool.

[xchrom]

7. lemme get this straight -- or gay or something -- anyway --

you want me to spend MY hard{lol i said hard..} earned gay dollars in a store that doesn't offer domestic partner benefits and donates big bucks to people who to go all apocaypse on my little gay ass{lol i said ass}?

[Q3JR4]

9. Hear hear,

That was my first response when I read the headline.

You know how it goes in corporate America, "Do as I say not as I do" and all that horse pucky.

[xchrom]

10. they are nuts, aren't they?

[prolesunited]

11. I can't wait for the boycotts to begin

If you know any fundies, please pass this story along.

[Why Syzygy]

12. The Fundies are Getting IT!

I subscribe to AFA to keep up with their latest rants. Email dated 8/31 directs to this page >
http://www.afa.net/wmpassalong.asp
<snip>
Wal-Mart asks for, and receives, permission to join homosexual marriage group

Wal-Mart comes out of the closet

Wal-Mart, the largest retailer in the world, has asked for and received permission to join the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce. The NGLCC is a leading promoter of homosexual marriage.

Although Wal-Mart has never excluded homosexuals from being employees, customers, or suppliers, the company wanted to be more closely identified with promoting the homosexual agenda. Wal-Mart is now a “corporate member” of the NGLCC, putting their approval on the NGLCC’s efforts to abolish the definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman. A Wal-Mart vice president will serve as an advisor to the NGLCC, helping them promote homosexual marriage.

Wal-Mart agreed to give $25,000 to the NGLCC and to pay for two conferences scheduled by NGLCC. Also, Wal-Mart will give homosexual-owned businesses special treatment when making purchases. Companies not owned by homosexuals will be moved down the list.

NGLCC called Wal-Mart’s action "part of the company's ongoing commitment to advancing diversity (homosexuality) among all of its associate, supplier and customer bases." <end snip>
And the Call to Action of course.

Another link in email >
http://www.afa.net/walmartadage.htm
COLUMBUS, Ohio (AdAge.com) -- In an unprecedented push, Wal-Mart Stores has hired a gay-marketing shop, joined the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and begun discussions with activist groups about extending domestic-partnership benefits to its employees.

[davidinalameda]

13. I just sent Wal-Mart a thank you email

never thought I'd be doing that in my life

:rofl:

[callous taoboy]

14. Will the sell "Out" magazine? Not bloody likely! n/t

[davidinalameda]

15. I hope not

Out Magazine portrays a very skewed portrait of the gay community as white and rich

I have a subscription-got it through my frequent flyer program-and I was appalled at the last issue

none of the clothes they showcased were under $100

[ldf]

16. niche marketing

aiming for the TTQs (trailer trash queers). :-)

and i can say that 'cause i was a poor southern country boy who has lived in many a trailer. and i didn't even call it a moBILE home.

AND i'm a queer.

we can fix up a doublewide right fancy.

(ok, i never had the money for a doublewide, but i DID have a single with a retractable living room extension... i was almost a highclass TTQ.)

:silly: