Action Alert: Send a thank you card to Hallmark!

Subject: Wildmon Mounts Campaign to Threaten Hallmark

It took less than 24 hours for Donald Wildmon's 'family
values' pressure group, the American Family Association
based in Tupelo, Mississippi, heart of the Old South, to
mount a campaign against Hallmark greeting cards for their
decision to market a line of wedding congratulations that is
specific to same-gender relationships. Such a speedy
response -- even to the extent of special action alert pages
on the AFA's website, is made possible by a multi-million
dollar budget and a large and sophisticated staffing
operation, all of which comes out of the pockets of those
who contribute to Wildmon's own family business. (Several
members of his clan hold highly-paid, top executive
positions in AFA.)

Of course, AFA's 'action alert' misrepresents the situation
in several important ways, not least by claiming Hallmark is
promoting a 'lifestyle' that is illegal in 48 states.
They're not clear on what is 'illegal' -- same-gender
orientation certainly is not, nor are same-gender
relationships or even sexual behavior, thanks to the U.S.
Supreme Court in Lawrence v. Texas. And certainly marriage
is not illegal in 48 states, nor for that matter is
same-gender marriage. Same-gender couples in any part of the
U.S. are free to marry -- have been since Canada legalized
such unions without any residency requirement. And now the
same is true in both Massachusetts and California.

So, in all candor, it's a bald-faced lie that AFA is
perpetrating. Same-gender marriage (if that's what they
mean) is NOT "illegal in 48 states," but it is unrecognized
-- a discriminatory second-class citizenship distinction
that the AFA and other right-wing groups hope to maintain.

Surprisingly, AFA isn't exactly calling for a boycott -- yet
-- though it warns in its 'suggested' email text to Hallmark
that "American Greeting Cards, your competitor, will be
getting my business." Perhaps AFA is shying away from a
public call to boycott because its past efforts along those
lines have been spectacularly unsuccessful, despite AFA's
attempts to spin the results into major victories. Or
perhaps Hallmark has such a saturated (and extremely
popular) role in the greeting card marketplace that this
time (unlike their boycotts of Ford, Kraft, McDonalds,
Disney et al.) the AFA realizes it is not likely to
seriously affect Hallmark's bottom line.

Even when you check the back of a card at your favorite
store (and avoid Hallmark's own franchise locations), you
can't be sure you're not buying a Hallmark product, since
the company now markets under a variety of 'boutique' names
-- Shoebox greeting cards, for example. So rather than a
flimsy boycott, AFA is calling on its reputed 2.3 million
plus 'supporters' (which presumably includes everyone on
their mailing list for whatever reason) to send protest
messages to Hallmark.

I've always considered it very helpful that right-wing
'action' organizations like the American Family Association
provide email, telephone and snail mail links for contacting
companies and other entities whom they ask their members to
bombard with complaints about marketing and social
responsibility practices -- it makes it so much easier for
those of us on the other side to send our own messages of
thanks, approval and encouragement. Here's the information,
which I urge you to consider using promptly.

No need to mention AFA's campaign -- just something like,
"As a consumer who values diversity and inclusiveness in our
society, I am very pleased to learn that Hallmark is
expanding its card line which offers the opportunity for
lesbian and gay people and their families, friends and
supporters to 'send the very best.' We've always cared
enough, and now we can turn to Hallmark to complete the
sentiment. I encourage you to explore other areas in which
Hallmark greetings can contribute to a world of acceptance,
affirmation and emotional bonding."

Donald J. Hall, Chairman
Hallmark Cards
2501 McGee Trafficway
Kansas City, MO 64108
Phone: 816-274-5111
or: 800-425-5627
E-Mail: Donald J. Hall, Hallmark Cards
[email protected] <mailto:sgronb3%40hallmark.com>

I suspect Hallmark would be most impressed by receiving
'thank you' greeting cards from their own line of products.
Hallmark cards can be purchased at thousands of retailers as
well as online -- and the company offers a wide range of
free e-cards as well.