Date: Thu, 10 Apr 1997 08:04:11 -0400 From: Maggie Heineman Subject: Chrysler Boycott -- Sample Letter Campaign for Equal Rights at Chrysler http://www.critpath.org/chrysler-campaign/ Here's a sample letter just in. >Date: Wed, 09 Apr 1997 22:22:23 -0700 >From: [] >To: prwebeditor@chrysler.com >CC: maggie@critpath.org >Subject: Chrysler myopathy > >To whom it may concern: > >I have spent about the last six months searching for a new vehicle for >my family. We have a second daughter on the way. The Chrysler minivans >were more than in the running, but the top choice for my wife and I. >The fact that Chrysler has decided that it cannot advertise on a show >simply because a character is coming out as gay is not only asinine, but >prejudiced and not a company that I want to be associated with. > >I want to raise my daughters to be bright and independent human beings. >If they happen to learn that they are gay at some point in their lives, >so be it. > >Chrysler Corp., you may not be aware of it, but here in L.A. there are >thousands of people in the entertainment industry who are gay and you >put money in their pockets through ad revenue on a daily basis. I >suggest you think about that as you have just lost a sale, I am going to >find a car maker with a bit more savvy and a lot more honor. > > Good letter -- Note that it went to That's PR as in Public Relations. One thing people need to realize is that Chrysler's statements that they pulled the Ellen ad "because of the hoopla" is hooey. Chrysler has a *pattern* of not supporting its Gay and Lesbian employees. Last fall Chyrsler refused the UAW demand to add the two little words "sexual orientation" to the contract. Chrysler learned to spell "sexual orientation" only because of the National Day of Protest last November 14. On November 11, Chairman Eaton issued a letter "clarifying" that of course "sexual orientation" was covered. "No change in policy" was the claim. In early 1997 Chrylser produced new "Standards of Conduct" - with the two little words. Could the threat of a shareholders ballot question and the filming of the "In the Life" TV show have anything to do with issuing the new standards? BUT Chrysler's new "Standards of Conduct" statement is elusive. HOW CAN CHRYSLER BE SERIOUS ABOUT STANDARDS THAT AREN'T POSTED???? WHAT'S HAPPENING WITH DIVERSITY TRAINING? Please visit the Chrysler Campaign Website and complain both to the company and TO A DEALER NEAR YOU!!! Chrysler thinks that it's good business to do what Pat Robertson asked. We *must* make it clear to every company in America that it is *bad business* to yield to the demands of the Christian Coalition. Please tell both the company AND THE DEALERS -- that you are joining in a boycott of Chrysler Products. Visit the website for the full story. There's a link there to the Chrysler search for contact info for local dealers. Campaign for Equal Rights at Chrysler http://www.critpath.org/chrysler-campaign/ originally posted on April 10, 1997 by Maggie Heineman permission to repost --