BIZ Online NGLCC

When the American Family Association took issue with McDonald's for its sponsorship of the National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce, what was missing from the group's assault were the facts.

A company's decision to become a corporate partner doesn't reflect its entrance into the so-called "culture wars," as the conservative AFA suggested, but rather its commitment to diversity in the workplace and in its supplier relationships. [Related link: "McDonald's gay marriage flap," CNN video]

And the NGLCC is not on a mission of extreme social activism but rather focuses on economic advocacy and equality for the 1.4 million businesses owned by lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons in the United States.

To correct the record, the NGLCC sent a letter July 8 to Dr. Donald Wildmon, the AFA's chairman, clarifying the NGLCC's mission and the importance of its efforts on behalf of small businesses.

"The main focus of the NGLCC is to connect major corporations with LGBT-owned businesses that want to ensure their diverse supply chain looks like the customer and employee bases they have, or the customer and employee bases they are trying to attract," wrote co-founders Justin Nelson, president, and Chance Mitchell, CEO.

Supplier diversity programs are common in corporate America, as companies strive to diversify their supply chains to include representation from a number of groups, including African Americans, Hispanics, women, veterans and people with disabilities.

On July 3, the AFA called on its online supporters to boycott McDonald's for its decision to support the NGLCC with a $20,000 sponsorship and to allow an employee, Richard Ellis, vice president of communications, to sit on NGLCC's board. At the time, the AFA called it an example of McDonald's endorsement of the "homosexual agenda."

"This issue is about the world's largest fast food chain allying itself and partnering with an organization that lobbies Congress to enact laws that we feel can be used to repress religious freedom or undermine the sanctity of marriage," according to a written statement from the AFA, which has launched a series of boycotts against other corporations for their support of LGBT organizations.

Experts say AFA's misleading comments reflect its confusion at the role played by economic advocacy groups.

"Regrettably, when companies come under the scrutiny of the AFA, quite often (the association) is careless with the facts and misleads the public about their policies and practices," said Bob Witeck, CEO of Witeck-Combs Communications, a Washington, D.C. communications company that specializes in gay and lesbian marketing.

"Companies are in the business of inclusion and welcoming and embracing nondiscrimination in all its forms," Witeck continued. "It's as simple as that. In fact, it's the gold standard of business practice."

McDonald's reinforced that proposition with its written statement following the boycott announcement.

"At McDonald's, we respect and value everyone. Diversity and inclusion are business imperatives and integral components of our culture," said William Whitman, a McDonald's spokesman. "We have a long and proud history of leadership in these areas and continually strive to maintain a work environment where everyone feels valued and accepted."

Despite the controversy, NGLCC says the chamber remains focused on its top legislative issue—access to affordable, quality health care for all Americans, many of whom are LGBT. NGLCC has joined with the AARP, the Business Roundtable and the National Federation of Small Businesses (NFIB) to fight for health care reforms in Congress as part of the Divided We Fail Coalition.

"Working hard to build a strong and vibrant business community ensures that we will continue to play a vital role in creating jobs, paying taxes and providing health care to employees as a part of the small business engine that keeps our American economy running," said Nelson.