Immediate Release
Contact: Chris Kofinis (202) 486-6422

WAL-MART WITHDRAWS SUPPORT FOR EQUAL RIGHTS

Today, Fortune Magazine reported that “Wal-Mart, the world's largest retailer, has decided to curb its support of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender (GLBT) organizations after conservative Christian groups threatened a boycott, and after some of its own employees expressed disapproval.” Wal-Mart is withdrawing financial support of the GLBT community out of a new corporate policy that shuns “highly controversial causes.”

Wal-Mart’s rapid abandonment of the GLBT community raises serious and disturbing questions about Wal-Mart’s commitment to equal rights, civil rights, human rights, and especially the rights of its workers and their families.

In addition, it appears that Wal-Mart’s position exposes a real hypocrisy in how it defines “highly controversial causes.” Wal-Mart has contributed to many right wing Republican politicians and causes in America. It’s time to ask the question, "How does Wal-Mart define 'controversial causes?'" Given Wal-Mart’s direct financial support of right wing politicians who oppose such ‘controversial causes’ as universal health care, raising the minimum wage, improving our environment, and ending the war in Iraq, it seems that Wal-Mart defines ‘highly controversial causes’ with a right-wing flavor.

The following statement is attributable to Paul Blank, Campaign Director for WakeUpWalMart.com:

“Every day, Wal-Mart’s actions and rhetoric serve to not only further divide America, but expose this company’s extreme right wing colors. Wal-Mart should be ashamed that it would define its support for the GLBT community as ‘highly controversial,’ while it ignores its explicit support for right-wing George Bush-style Republicans whose policies have cost America middle class jobs, worsened our health care system, helped poison our environment, and blindly support failed strategies in Iraq.

The time has come for Wal-Mart, if they truly believe in the best of American values, to realize that every one of its workers, regardless of their sexual orientation, race, or religion, deserves to be treated fairly.

Sadly, for Wal-Mart, treating all of its 1.39 million workers with dignity and respect appears to be another “controversial cause” they do not support.”