McDonald's Enters the Catering Business ... to the LGBT Community

MAITLAND, Fl., Aug. 14 /Christian Newswire/ -- Recent decisions by the burger-and- fries behemoth, McDonald's has caused quite a commotion in a couple of communities. However, each is experiencing a distinctly opposite reaction.

On one hand, McDonald's foray into corporate support of the Lesbian, Gay, Homosexual and Transgendered (LGBT) community is getting rave reviews from the folks at The National Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce (NGLCC). The McDonald's Corporation paid $20,000 to become a member of NGLCC and have a seat on the board of directors. Richard Ellis, McDonald's USA vice president of communications was "thrilled" to join the chamber and stated that he "shares the NGLCC's passion" for business growth and development in the LGBT community.

On the other hand, this foray has sparked the ire of groups such as the American Family Association (AFA) who is currently calling for a boycott of McDonald's - until they remain neutral in the culture war. Another company, the Timothy Plan Family of mutual funds handles McDonald's pro-homosexual activism in a uniquely different fashion. This fund family refuses to invest in McDonald's because of the fact that they are promoting, what the fund calls, Non- Traditional Married Lifestyles.

Arthur Ally, President of the Timothy Plan says, "It continues to amaze me that corporations, like McDonald's, continue to publically and financially support things that alienate their consumer base. Shareholders as wells as customers should be outraged at the blatant position this company has taken on this issue." He continues, "McDonald's corporation has a fiduciary responsibility to their shareholders to continue to earn profits and expand their company. By alienating such a large consumer base, the Christian community, they are undoubtedly neglecting this responsibility."

The Timothy Plan is classified as a socially responsible (SRI) investment fund family, but Mr. Ally says that his funds are "morally responsible". He contends, "We are a Pro-Life/Pro Family mutual fund group. We are uniquely different from your typical SRI fund in that we will not invest in companies that are involved in the areas of Pornography, Abortion, Anti- Family Entertainment and the promotion of Non- Married Lifestyles".

McDonald's support of and involvement in the NGLCC is not the only reason the Timothy Plan and AFA avoid the company. "McDonald's has gone so far as to accuse those who oppose the gay agenda, including same sex marriage, of being motivated by hate. I wonder if McDonald's officially recognizes, or even has, a Christian employee group, because they certainly recognize McDonald's Gay, Lesbian and Network" he concludes.

So it appears, according to Mr. Ally, McDonald's now does cater - to the Lesbian, Gay, Homosexual and Transgender community.

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Christian Newswire