Now Amway in Crosshairs in Gay Marriage Battle

Boycott follows $500K marriage-killer donation by Amway prez foundation

By Mary Papenfuss, Newser Staff
Posted Aug 6, 2012 11:37 PM CDT
Updated Aug 7, 2012 12:01 AM CDT

A gay rights group is launching a boycott of Amway after a foundation supported by its president donated $500,000 to fight same sax marriages. (fabiolalvd)

(Newser) – The gay rights battle is now running the retail gamut from soap to clucks. Following the uproar over Chick-fil-A and same-sex marriage, gay rights advocates are pushing for a boycott of cleaning and beauty products company Amway—and its affiliates, including the Orlando Magic basketball team. The boycott call is in response to a $500,000 donation to battle gay marriage made by a foundation funded by Amway president Doug DeVos. The recipient of the donation, the National Organization for Marriage, "has been one of the most virulently anti-LGBT organizations in the country," says a statement launching the boycott by Rights Equal Rights. "A global boycott of Amway will let others know that there are consequences for giving massive amounts of money to take away the rights of a minority."

Amway officials said the donation represents the personal beliefs of DeVos. As "private citizens, the DeVos family supports causes and organizations that advocate for policies aligned to their personal beliefs," Amway said in a statement to ABC News, adding that the family believes "one of the highest callings of any individual is to express their own personal beliefs as a participant in the democratic process." The Magic has reported no dip in ticket sales.