Amway president’s donation to anti-gay group sparks boycott

Republican gay activist Fred Karger has called for a boycott of Amway Global following revelations that the multi-level, direct-sales company’s president donated half a million dollars to the anti-gay National Organization for Marriage in 2009.

On Aug. 3, Karger’s organization Rights Equal Rights launched the boycott to “support our friends and … keep pressure on the mega-donors to NOM and other likeminded organizations and individuals who so vigorously oppose Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) equality.”

The action is also a response to NOM’s current boycotts of Starbucks and General Mills for their donations to groups that support marriage equality.

“NOM constantly defends anti-LGBT companies like its ally Chick-fil-A and its owner for hateful and bigoted comments and actions, ”Karger said. “NOM has that right under our First Amendment and so do we.”

The Rights Equal Rights website states, “A global boycott of Amway will let others know that there are consequences of giving massive amounts of money to take away the rights of a minority.”

Amway has responded, clarifying that it does not discriminate in any way.

“Our employees and distributors come from all walks of life and represent an incredibly diverse set of backgrounds,” said an Amway spokesperson. “The Amway opportunity is open to everyone.”

Karger has directed four previous boycotts against donors to anti-gay groups and causes. Two of those donors responded by donating a like amount to LGBT organizations.