Avis vows to keep gay-friendly ads (The Advocate)

[Maven]

An antigay group in Massachussets is encouraging its members to deluge Avis with e-mails complaining about the rental car company's ads in gay publications.

On its Web site, the Article Eight Alliance carries an image of the ad showing two men embracing in a hammock, promoting the company's policy of including domestic partners as additional drivers at no extra charge. The alliance says the ads appear in what it calls "hard-core homosexual magazines across the country."

But an Avis spokeswoman says the ads have only appeared in mainstream gay publications like The Advocate and Out. Susan McGowan says Avis has received hundreds of e-mails since the Article Eight Alliance posting, some criticizing the ads. But she says most have been—in her words—"supportive and nice." McGowan says the gay-targeted ads are part of a wider effort by Avis to "target diverse markets," including Hispanics and seniors. And she says the company "doesn't plan on changing."

(This is the entire http://www.advocate.com/news_detail_ektid19647.asp">article.)

Take that, Article Hate Alliance.

[HockeyMom]

1. My husband used to work for the parent company of Avis

They have had benefits for domestic partners (gay and straight) for years now, in order to attract good employees.

These Fundies don't seem to realize these corporations' only purpose is to MAKE MONEY. They don't care if their consumers are gay, purple, or have 5 heads.

[kbm8795]

2. Someone needs to send that article

to Clear Channel with a little note that says "Some companies actually care about ALL of their customers."

[Maven]

3. They'd probably just send back a postcard

of a middle finger, and on the back write, "Well, we're not one of them!"

:+

[Obamarama]

4. I have always rented from AVIS based solely on customer service...

Now I have even more reason to support them with my business. I didn't know the were such a progressive company. Bravo, Avis!