Back in April, one of the nuttier religious right groups complained bitterly that Wal-Mart stores decided to sell “Brokeback Mountain” DVDs, including in-store advertising displays. A spokesperson for the American Family Association said, at the time, “It’s quite obvious to anyone who shops at Wal-Mart that they’re no longer the family-friendly company that they used to project in their image.”
With this in mind, I can’t wait to see how the far-right reacts to this.
[tag]Wal-Mart[/tag] Stores, 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 [tag]Gay[/tag] & 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.
Justin Nelson, co-founder and president of the four-year-old gay business coalition, said Wal-Mart “initiated the partnership.” What’s more, McAdam said the company is considering offering domestic partnership benefits to employees who qualify.
Tony Perkins, president of the Family Research Council, said, “I don’t think cheap prices on goods from China will be enough to stop a rollback in their customer base if they choose to go down this aisle.”
Hmm, the [tag]religious right[/tag] (intolerant advocates of theocracy) vs. Wal-Mart (anti-union opponent of fair labor policies). Whom to root for….