Wal-Mart Preparing to Offer Another Carrot to GLBT Community
by Fred Jackson and Jody Brown
December 15, 2005
(AgapePress) - - The American Family Association (AFA) is expressing disappointment and concern over a pro-homosexual seminar being held on Friday at Wal-Mart's headquarters in Arkansas.
AFA spokesman Randy Sharp says his organization has obtained a copy of a Wal-Mart staff memo inviting home office associates to a seminar on December 16 entitled "Why Market to Gay America?" The memo, dated December 8, notes that America's homosexual community has $610 billion in purchasing power, and that the seminar -- sponsored by Wal-Mart's Office of Diversity -- will "provide insight into the purchasing decisions of GLBT [gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender] customers."
Sharp says Wal-Mart has long been seen as a shopping place that supports family values. But now, he says, that image is in question.
"Basically what they're doing is they're giving their stamp of approval on homosexuality, recognizing it as a facet in America that deserves their support and their encouragement," he says. "And they want their business."
Sharp is calling on family advocates to contact Wal-Mart headquarters at 1-800-WALMART and make their concerns known about Friday's pro-homosexual seminar.
Seminar Led by Activist
The person presenting the Wal-Mart seminar likely will be able to help the massive retailer achieve its goal. According to the memo from Wal-Mart's Corporate Communications office, the guest speaker at the seminar will be the co-founder of a public relations and marketing firm that specializes in the "gay and lesbian" markets. In addition to his marketing work, Wesley Combs of Washington, DC-based Witeck-Combs Communications is involved in pro-homosexual activism.
According to the Witeck-Combs website, Combs serves on a council for the Human Rights Campaign -- the nation's largest lobbying group for homosexuals -- and on the advisory board of the Gender Public Advocacy Coalition (GenderPAC), a group that claims to work to end "discrimination and violence caused by gender stereotypes."
The Human Rights Campaign has in the past praised Wal-Mart for its efforts to accommodate same-sex "couples" by offering benefits to same-sex partners of employees.
Earlier Indications
The nation's leading retailer came under fire earlier this year when it made that announcement. AgapePress reported in February the reaction of Bob Knight of the Culture and Family Institute when that news was reported.
The pro-family leader said at that time that most families are not aware Wal-Mart is so "gay-friendly." And while he acknowledged that Wal-Mart works hard at cultivating a pro-family image, he contends the retailer "caved to gay activists" by making such a policy change.
"They've joined the side of those who don't think that marriage and family are worth supporting anymore -- and that political correctness is more important," Knight said. "When it gets out that they're [openly promoting homosexuality] by actually subsidizing homosexual relationships ... this will tarnish their image."
In addition, Wal-Mart issued an internal memo in April approving a "gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender" (GLBT) group within the corporation.
