Southern Baptists take on Disney
Denomination votes to boycott company over gay policies
June 13, 1996
Web posted at: 10:00 a.m. EDTFrom Correspondent Gloria Hillard
LOS ANGELES (CNN) -- Southern Baptists say they won't be visiting Disney theme parks this summer if the company doesn't change some of its policies that they say promote homosexuality.
In an overwhelming show of hands at the church's national convention in New Orleans, the Baptists also agreed to swear off Walt Disney Co. movies and products.
Topping their list of objections is Disney's policy extending health benefits to the live-in partners of gay employees.
"We've got five grandsons," said Southern Baptist Convention President Jim Henry. "I was going to Disney. I don't think I will now. Hopefully we'll hear from Disney, (and) they'll say, 'we hear you.'"
Disney did hear, and responded.
"We find it curious that a group that claims to espouse family values would vote to boycott the world's largest producer of wholesome family entertainment," said a statement released by the company Wednesday.
"We question any group that demands that we deprive people of health benefits and we know of no tourist destination in the world that denies admission to people as the Baptists are insisting we do."
In a two-page resolution, the Southern Baptists also objected to independently sponsored gay-themed events at Disney theme parks and to movies with adult themes made by Disney subsidiaries such as Miramax.
The resolution said, in part: "In recent years, the Disney Co. has given the appearance that the promotion of homosexuality is more important than its historic commitment to traditional family values."
Disney is one of more than 40 entertainment companies and unions that now offer same-sex benefits. The policy has been promoted extensively among entertainment companies by Hollywood Supports, a non-profit group founded by Hollywood industry figures.
Hollywood Supports executive director Richard Jennings said the Baptist boycott signals "a sad day for organized religion."
The resolution states that Southern Baptists traditionally have revered Disney as "having an historic commitment to traditional family values."
But, Jennings said, gay men and lesbians are a part of the Disney family, helping to create the Disney product.
No deadline was set for the boycott, which the Southern Baptists said will take effect only if Disney ignores the church's call for changes.
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