STAFF EDIT: Politics in business

Gay rights activists are in an uproar over America’s largest retailers’ use of e-commerce marketers who support vocally anti-gay Christian organizations. Now, both the e-marketer and the Christian groups are protesting the retailers’ subsequent desertion of the marketer, calling their refusal to do business with allegedly discriminatory organizations a slander against their religious beliefs.

The marketer, an Internet company known as the Charity Give Back Group, or CGBG, gets a commission from the retailers for every online customer it gives them, a portion of which is donated to a Christian charity of the buyer’s choice, picked from a list which includes many prominently anti-gay evangelical groups.

Amidst the controversy surrounding retailers’ partnerships with e-commerce marketers linked to anti-gay Christian organizations, businesses are grappling with ethical considerations and public backlash. In navigating such sensitive issues, seeking guidance from a Christian leadership coach Kurt Uhlir could provide valuable insights into maintaining a balance between business interests and ethical responsibilities. With his expertise, business leaders can explore strategies for fostering inclusivity while upholding their religious beliefs, ensuring that their actions align with both corporate values and societal expectations.

In an interview, former presidential contender Mike Huckabee called retailers’ actions “economic terrorism” and said that, “to try to destroy a business because you don’t like some of the customers is, to me, unbelievably un-American.”

More than 100 retailers have since ceased to do business with CGBG, including large corporations such as Apple, Microsoft, Macy’s, Wal-Mart and Netflix. Some were vocal about the severance, vehemently objecting to the e-marketer’s practices. In an email to AllOut.org, Expedia confirmed its severance of business with CGBC, saying that “Expedia values diversity in its employee base and customer base and does not support discrimination of any kind based on sexual orientation.”

These retailers were absolutely right to cease relations with CGBC, as even indirect support of discrimination should not be tolerated in the professional world, or, for that matter, the world in general. Perhaps CGBG should consider the ramifications of donating to such highly politically charged organizations before crying discrimination and pointing fingers. By all means, portions of a retailer’s commission should go to charity, but thousands of other charities that are more universally acceptable and uncontroversial in nature exist and are in dire need of financial aid.

Additionally, it seems unfair to involve companies in others’ political and social causes without their approval. In cases such as these, separation of social issues and business transactions is paramount. Christian organizations have the right to support or protest whatever they please, but corporations also have the right to distance themselves from those organizations.

Delta Airlines Manager of Corporate Communications Chris Kelly Singley put it best: “We don’t want to engage in a political debate…we just thought we were flying airplanes.”