Date: Sat, 18 Nov 1995 06:58:16 -0500 (EST) From: David Casti Subject: ACTION ALERT: The Companies We Keep Submitted by: cnotes@cnotes.com T H E C O M P A N I E S W E K E E P The American Family Association -- a deeply homophobic media watchdog group -- has launched nationwide assaults on several companies, including Disney, MCI, and Schwab. These new hate campaigns are detailed in the October issue of the "AFA Journal." Noting that "the 'AFA Journal' often reports on companies marketing to homosexuals," the October issue reprints a question about the Schwab investment company. A reader writes: "I have enclosed an article from the 'New York Times' newswire stating that Charles Schwab has supported gay and lesbian activities and is now going after their business. It would seem this calls for drastic action, like throwing them overboard, but I don't know what the alternatives are. Would you address this?" The question is answered by "expert" Austin Pryor, editor of the "Sound Mind Investing" ("the financial journal for today's Christian family"): "This is certainly disappointing news. Indifferent to the lessons of several thousand years of human history and the moral force of Judeo-Christian tradition, our society and government has increasingly legitimized homosexual conduct . . . In the brokerage area, you can add Charles Schwab, Merrill Lynch, Paine-Webber and Smith Barney. Schwab was recently one of the major sponsors of the 19th annual San Francisco International Lesbian and Gay Film Festival. The company also has begun testing how to use direct-mail to reach this affluent group. . . . " Staff at Charles Schwab confirm that the company has been besieged with hate mail. For example, Bill Smith of Smith Capital Management wrote to Schwab indicating that his clients did not wish to do business with any company that "promotes homosexuality." Noting the "degenerate impact of homosexuality on people and societies." Smith questioned why Schwab would "contribute to the promotion of a lifestyle that is estimated to be behind over 90% of AIDS cases." Schwab has received numerous such letters, each threatening the company with the loss of business: "I am morally opposed to homosexuality . . . . ." "I will most surely close these accounts . . . .," "I was disappointed to hear of your active endorsement of gay and lesbian activities . . . ." Reportedly, letters of support have NOT been forthcoming. The AFA has also attacked MCI -- the long distance telephone service -- for "targeting homosexuals." According to the AFA: "MCI is offering special discounts on long distance phone calls to businesses owned by homosexuals. MCI is using a direct mail campaign to cross-promote with the National Gay and Lesbian Business Alliance (NGLBA), a new group the long distance carrier helped found." With homophobic horror, the AFA quotes "a letter from an MCI account executive," which states that the NGLBA is "dedicated to furthering the growth of the Gay and Lesbian business community." Finally, the AFA has renewed its censorious campaign against the Disney company, this time for releasing "Lie Down With Dogs," which is described by the AFA as "a homosexual film." The AFA warns readers that: "Disney's Miramax film company has released a movie aimed at homosexuals, directed by and staring a homosexual, and featuring homosexual sex . . . . Although the movie is rated 'R,' reviewers describe strong homosexual content in the film's scenes and language." *** ACTION ALERT: Counter the AFA campaigns! Contact Charles R. Schwab, Chair, The Charles Schwab Corp., 101 Montgomery Street, San Francisco, CA 94104, tel. 415-627-7000, fax 415-627-8894; Bert C. Roberts, Jr., Chair, MCI Communication Corp., 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20006, tel 202-872-1600, fax 202-887-2195, tel. (TOLL FREE) 800-444-3333; Michael Eisner, Chair, The Walt Disney Co., 500 S. Buena Vista Street, Burbank, CA 91521, tel. 818-560-1000. Also, send contrary complaints to Austin Pryor, "Sound Mind Investing," 2117 Glen Eagle Drive, Louisville, KY 40222, tel. 502-426-7420; Bill Smith, Smith Capital Management, Pleasant Valley Office Center, 12115 Hinson Road, Little Rock, Arkansas 72212-3410, tel. 501-228-0040, fax 501-228-0047. Peace and sanity, Mike Corso CNI Telecom <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> CNI Telecom -----> http://www.cnotes.com/telecom/cnitelpage.html Save on Long Distance Calls and help support Peace, Human Rights, the Environment, Campaign Finance Reform, and AIDS Research. Info: longdistance@cnotes.com <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <> <>