From: Ialgpc@aol.com Date: Fri, 12 May 1995 22:53:51 -0400 Dear 'pride' junkies... It has been estimated that we pride types that are responsible for producing G/L pride events in North America mobilize over 5 million people annually. I think it is also fair to say that there is no greater event (meaning Gay Pride) that is celebrated in more numbersin more cities than the events that we collectively produce. All one has to see is the Global; Calendar of pride events that has been amassed in the last month over the cyberwaves!!! More than 80 cities at last count. Therefore...knowing what power this can have on the commercial marketing strategy of various corporations...we should use this power collectively to promote change. Why not...the Fundamentalist Christain Right is doing it to advance their bigotry against us!! "An eye for an eye"...to quote some famous book. After surfing the 'NET' and seeing the overwhelming e-mail about Rush Limbaugh and his Pizza Hut commercials. I have decided to include some excerps of what I have read. FACT: Our events sell mega millions of food, beer, sodas, and soft goods at our festivals, concerts, parades, etc. We have always had the political discussion of beer companies and who we should boycott because of certaint cor porate ideologies. Examples: Coors and their family's right-wing support, Miller/RJ Reynolds and the Tobacco PAC -Jesse Helms connection, Nestle Foods Corporation and their third world explotation...the list continues. Now it seems the field opens up to soft drinks and other products....and we sell a lot of them marching around in the hot sun at parades and festivals. The following excerpts are for your information and consideration in negotiati ng with various suppliers and vendors you use in your events. United...we can make a statement...and force change. In pride.....Tom ************************FOOD FOR THOUGHT******************************** "There have been effective boycotts of Rush Limbaugh's sponsors as well as groups who hire him as spokesman. They have been supported by NOW, several church groups, The National Education Association, gay organizations and others. The most important thing is to call and write the sponsors and let them know where they are advertising. Responsible businesses generally do not want their name associated with hate. The Florida Orange Juice Council, who years ago had employed Anita Bryant in the same postition, finally dropped Rush as spokesman. They did, but only after a boycott. Rush was on the air pleading with people to "chug the stuff." Snapple, a former sponsor of his show also dropped Rush's show after letter writing campaign and a boycott. Rush Limbaugh is one of the great American hate mongers of this century. Rush claims his hate radio shows are only entertainment, but hatred has serious consequences. It spawns discrimination and violence. Rush's influence is primarily stirring up hatred of others by twisting, distorting facts and disregarding all evidence that contradicts right-wing beliefs. For three hours every day, he attacks the Clinton's, liberals, gays, and feminists. Through hate mongering, his influence is growing." "Rush Limbaugh has made a career out of belittling women, gay man and lesbians in the nastiest ways possible. If you can stomach it, listen for a few days and you will hear Limbaugh stir up public hatred aimed at people in those groups and others for three hours each and every week day. There is also a video that was shown recently on PBS documenting Rush Limbaugh performing his anti-gay diatribe on why gays deserve AIDS. Here are a few of Limbaughs other achievements: He invented the not so charming moniker, "feminazi", and scolded feminism for making it possible for unattractive women to have a life. He claimed that lesbians, the Henson's in Mississippi I think, lived on a pig farm so that they could breed with the hogs. On his syndicated talk show, he falsely accused gay men in Boycott Colorado of extortion in their promotion of a boycott of products made in Colorado after Amendment 2 passed. The FBI checked out the claims and determined that they were false. Limbaugh never corrected his error." "Boycotting not only Pizza Hut, but also Taco Bell, KFC, Frito Lays, and Pepsi beverages sends a message to the corporate owner that using a fascist spokesperson is reprehensible and something you will not support. When you call Pizza Hut headquarters to let them know that you are not purchasing their products as long as Rush is in their commercials, also let them know that you are not purchasing any other Pepsico product. The corporation really doesn't care if you boycott Pizza Hut and go to KFC or Taco Bell instead - they make their profit either way!" In case your interested, or just want to stir some s__t. Pizza Hut 1-800-358-2222 Pizza Hut Consumer Affairs 2100 Powers Ferry Road #200 Atlanta, GA 30339-5014 All responses to this allert will be condensed and reposted to the IAL/GPC mailing list.