OK, I know it's a lesbian stereotype to drive a
Subaru, but we support the gay-friendly car company. Subaru's reputation has finally caught notice with the wingnuts, too. It looks like
the "Concerned Women of America" wants to punish them (and Avis). [We also own a
Ford Focus wagon -- that company earns their wrath as well) -- nah, nah Concerned Women for America.]
Read the release after the jump -- it gives you all the reasons why you should contact Subaru and Avis to thank them for their willingness to court the gay market. I also included some Actual Freeper QuotesTM on the story.
UPDATE (12/27): A reader of my blog wrote Subaru and received a response. I'm posting it after the jump.
Concerned Women for America press release:
It's important to give credit where it's due. So car buyers should know that
Subaru takes its role as the most pro-homosexual car company very seriously.
In fact, the company bought a four-page, four-color pullout section in the December 21, 2004, The Advocate magazine, surrounding a celebration of 11 "People of the Year" selected by the magazine since 1990. Honorees include V. Gene Robinson (December 23, 2003), the homosexual Episcopal bishop; Rosie O'Donnell (January 21, 2003); George Michael (January 19, 1999), following Michael's arrest for lewdness in a Beverly Hills restroom, and former Gay and Lesbian Task Force leader Urvashi Vaid and the late artist Robert Mapplethorpe (both December 18, 1990).
...As for Subaru, the fourth page includes this summary:
"Subaru of America celebrates ten years of support for the gay and lesbian community.
First national automaker to sponsor the Human Rights Campaign
First automaker to extend domestic partner benefits to all employees
Featured on The L Word [Showtime's lesbian drama]
Recipient of the Los Angeles Gay and Lesbian Center's Corporate Leadership Award
First automaker to insert custom creative in gay media
Founding sponsor of the Rainbow Endowment, whose Visa Rainbow Card has raised more than $1.5 million for health, civil rights and cultural causes
Sponsor of numerous gay and lesbian cultural and athletic events
Presenting sponsor of the 2004 AIDS LifeCycle."
Sample ads from past campaigns are pictured, including one with a photo of a Subaru wagon with the slogan above it: "It's Not a Choice. It's the Way We're Built."
In 2001, all three major domestic auto companies - General Motors, Ford and Chrysler - adopted "domestic partner" benefits, with
Ford earning a 100% rating this year from the Human Rights Campaign as one of the most "gay-friendly" companies in the U.S.
Not to be outdone, Avis, the rental car agency, purchased a two-page, inside cover ad in the January/February OutTraveler, a companion edition to Out magazine. The ad shows a man with his arms around another man, kissing him on the cheek, with this text:
"For over a decade, Avis has automatically included domestic partners as additional drivers in the U.S. No extra fees charged, no questions asked. And now, we're coming out in grand style, including domestic partners as additional drivers internationally. So go ahead, take a spin."
While voters are moving to strengthen marriage laws, and parents are fighting to keep homosexual propaganda out of the schools, many of
America's corporate titans have gone pell-mell for the rich, niche, homosexual market. In fact, the Human Rights Campaign calls corporate America "the driving wheel" of homosexual activism.
...You can also respectfully let companies know how you feel about their sponsorship of homosexual activism. It helps the most to contact local dealers, but it's also good to contact the company.
Customer Service: 1-800-SUBARU3
Eastern Hours: 8:30 - 5:00 Monday-Thursday, 10:30 - 5:00 Friday
Central Hours: 8:30 - 5:00 Monday-Thursday, 9:30 - 4:00 Friday
Mountain Hours: 7:30 - 4:00 Monday-Thursday, 8:30 - 3:00 Friday
Pacific Hours: 7:30 - 4:00 Monday-Thursday, 7:30 - 2:00 Friday
Written correspondence can be sent to:
Subaru of America, Inc.Subaru Plaza
P.O. Box 6000
Cherry Hill, NJ 08034-6000
Attn: Customer/Dealer Services
Subaru of America, Inc. does not include Canada, but Subaru Canada, Inc. can be visited at www.subaru.ca.
E-mail SubaruContact AvisAvis reservations/comment line: 1 800 230 4898 (United States)
1 800 272 5871 (Canada)
*I had to include
Actual Freeper QuotesTM on this one...
"Subaru? I always thought faggots liked VW Cabriolets. "
"Subaru must also be promoting the Aids Epidemic then."
"I thought about buying one of their wagons a few years ago until I saw the $25,000 sticker price... for a compact wagon! At that price I could buy a MUCH nicer car from a company that doesn't cater to the fudge packers."
"Shut up! Shut up shut up shut up! (Capriole hides her face in her hands) I bought a Subaru Outback station wagon a couple of years ago because it could carry my kids and a lot of our camping/reenacting/horseback riding gear, go through difficult country with some ground clearance and four-wheel-drive capability, and get much better gas mileage than an SUV that cost the same ($21.5K). And now, despite the NRA, foxhunting, and Confederate First National decals on the back, everybody thinks I'm a lesbian! AAAUGH! Guess I could always trade it in on an F-250 pickup, but then they'd be CONVINCED that I'm a lesbian. I can't win."
"New sales slogan "Subaru; The car most likely to get rear-ended in."
"Cars are not just four wheels, they make a statement. This tells us subaru=homo."
UPDATE 12/27: Here is the response that a reader of my blog had from Subaru:
From: SOAMail@sun.subaru1.com
Date: Mon Dec 27 13:29:14 EST 2004
To: arnie
Subject: Re: Owners Story (E-mail #650077)
Thank you for visiting the Subaru Web site and for your message. We appreciate that you took the time to convey your thoughts to us. Your comments will be forwarded to our Marketing Department for their review.
Our marketing strategy is one of targeting customers that appreciate the safety, control, and confidence that the Subaru All Wheel Driving systems provides. Our customers appreciate the adventure and fun that these vehicle attributes allow them to experience.
Subaru has a very well educated owner base that celebrates, embraces, and appreciates diversity. Subaru markets vehicles to people who appreciate a safe and reliable value in the automotive category.
Subaru does not pass judgement on peoples personal lives. We market vehicles to mountain bikers, skiers, nurses, teachers, rowers, campers, scientists, kayakers, and gays and lesbians.
Have a great New Year!
Sincerely,
John J. Mergen
Subaru of America, Inc.
----------------------------------------
YOUR ORIGINAL MAIL:
As a happy Subaru owner, I'm really glad to see that you support people of all persuasions through your open-minded advertising. Keep up the wonderful work--on all fronts!
Best,
Arnie
Pam's House Blend