To me it seems the giant is shooting its self in the foot. Wal-mart management has made several moves recently that will sorely effect their sales. This is one of them. I think if I can buy elsewhere, that is where I will shop. The following is from Truthorfiction.com.
Wal-Mart has Joined the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce-Truth!
Summary of the eRumor:
The message says that Wal-Mart has become a member of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce and is linking arms with that group to promote homosexual marriage.
The Truth:
According to both Wal-Mart and the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC), it is true that Wal-Mart has become a member of the NGLCC.
Although Wal-Mart has not taken an official position on the issue of same-sex marriage, the NGLCC is harshly critical of what it calls efforts by the "far right" to write discrimination into the constitution with efforts like the Federal Marriage Amendment, which would define marriage as between a man and a woman and applauded congress for turning it down.
A release by the NGLCC on August 21, 2006 says that Wal-Mart's Dee Breazeale, vice president of divisional merchandise, SAM’S CLUB Jewelry, will be serving on the NGLCC's Corporate Advisory Council. The release describes the council as "...composed of NGLCC corporate partners whose mission is to discuss issues upon which members of the NGLCC and CAC work together to educate Corporate America and the public on the economic benefits of providing a diverse workplace and creating mutually beneficial relationships with the LGBT and LGBT-friendly business community." (LGBT stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transsexual.) The release also says that Wal-Mart has sponsored two conferences for the NGLCC.
Other members of the NGLCC include IBM, Wells Fargo, JPMorgan Chase, American Airlines, Intel Corporation, Wyndham Hotels and Resorts, Lehman Brothers, Motorola, Travelport, Merrill Lynch, American Express, Cisco Systems, Avis, Orbitz, Intuit, Kodak, Fannie Mae, Millennium Hotels and Resorts, and Kimpton.
Updated 9/4/06
A real example of the eRumor as it has appeared on the Internet:
Wal-Mart asks for, and receives, permission to join homosexual marriage group
Read "Wal-Mart Partners With Gay and Lesbian Group"
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."
Wal-Mart is offering the same kind of support for homosexual marriage which Ford Motor Company has been giving to homosexual groups for years.
TAKE ACTION
1. Send your email to Wal-Mart.
2. Wal-Mart often blocks our emails. To make sure your voice is heard, please call Wal-Mart's home office headquarters and ask for Chairman Rob Walton at 479-273-4000. Also, call your local Wal-Mart manager and express your concerns. Please, be polite when you call!
3. Print out and distribute our specially produced Pass Along Sheet.