Equality Matters Responds To Orbitz

Equality Matters Responds To Orbitz

Statement notes that its unclear how Orbitz's policy of tolerance comports with Fox's attacks on the LGBT community 

Washington, DC -- Equality Matters released the following statement from spokesperson Trevor Thomas in response to a series of attacks from Orbitz after LGBT organizations Courage Campaign, GLAAD, and Equality Matters joined with DropFox in asking the company to stop sponsoring Fox News due to its long history of anti-LGBT bigotry:

I'm disappointed to see Orbitz dismiss our concerns as a mere political disagreement. We're not talking about coming out against policies; from comparing homosexuality to necrophilia to equating same-sex marriage to marrying a duck, Fox has a history of mocking and belittling the LGBT community.

It's unclear to me how Orbitz's strict policy of tolerance and non-discrimination’ comports with Fox News' pattern of attacks on the LGBT community.

I'm also surprised to see them claim that the letter addressed to them ‘mischaracterized’ their record with the LGBT community. In fact, we explicitly stated that we reached out to Orbitz because they've have been such a good friend to the LGBT community - a relationship that they characterize as one of their ‘5 Pillars of Global Responsibility.’ We wanted to encourage them to protect themselves from being associated with Fox News when Fox inevitably airs their next indecent anti-gay screed.

I hope Orbitz will actually read our entire letter and then decide whether the examples we provided on DropFox.com meet their stated policy of "tolerance."

REBUTTING THEIR POINTS:

What they said: Orbitz spokeswoman via The Advocate Monday, May 16 at approximately 7:55 PM:

A spokeswoman for Orbitz, sent The Advocate a statement Monday, sharing that the company was disappointed that GLAAD "mischaracterized [their] relationship with LGBT consumers," especially since it has worked with the organization in the past. The company also points out that it has a perfect score on the Human Rights Campaign's Workplace Equality Index, and has sponsored several gay-themed events, in addition to its LGBT travel site. 

"Our advertising, which integrates inclusive messaging reflective of our diverse audience, will continue to respect and serve the needs of ALL travelers no matter their politics, race, religion, sexual orientation or gender," Donahue said. [The Advocate, 5/16/11]

RESPONSE: We explicitly state that Orbitz has been a friend to the LGBT community in the letter and this is why they might want to rethink their relationship to Fox given their disturbing pattern of airing homophobic content. We have asked for clarification of what specifically has been “mischaracterized” and received none.

What they said: Brian Hoyt, VP of Communications via Twitter Thursday, May 19 at approximately 8 pm

@SpinDoctorHoyt Brian Hoyt

Don't believe the hype about @Orbitz. Tolerance and equality for all.

15 hours ago via Twitter for BlackBerry® 

RESPONSE: It’s precisely because of their commitment to tolerance that they need to rethink their financial support of Fox News’ homophobic content.

What they said: Brian Hoyt, VP of Communications via Hollywood Reporter, Thursday, May 19 at approximately 8:43 pm:

"This is a political organization that has been funded pretty extensively to go after one network, and we aren't going to engage in that fight," Orbitz spokesman Brian Hoyt said. [The Hollywood Reporter, 5/19/11]

RESPONSE: Media Matters is an organizing devoted to fighting misinformation, hate speech, and bigotry on the airwaves. Fox is a primary offender, and so we focus on them. Our allies in this campaign are devoted to civil rights in the LGBT community. Fox’s pattern of homophobic content is extensive and should not be financially supported by friends of the LGBT community.

What they said: Brian Hoyt, VP of Communications via Hollywood Reporter, Thursday, May 19 at approximately 8:43 pm:

"We have a strict policy of tolerance and non-discrimination, and that means we don't favor one political side over another. Tolerance is a two-way street," he said. "We're going to advertise on conservative TV stations, liberal TV stations and -- if there are any out there -- unbiased news broadcasts." [The Hollywood Reporter, 5/19/11]

RESPONSE: This is not about politics or policies: it’s about Fox’s clear history of mocking and belittling gay people. 

What they said: Brian Hoyt, VP of Communications via Hollywood Reporter, Thursday, May 19 at approximately 8:43 pm:

"We haven't bowed to any boycott in the past, and we won't bow to these types of smear campaigns in the future," Hoyt said. [The Hollywood Reporter, 5/19/11]

RESPONSE: We did not call for a boycott in the letter, only that Orbitz examine the evidence in front of them and evaluate whether those statements meet their own stated tolerance policy. If not, they should reconsider their financial support of the network.