The anti-gay hate group American Family Association (AFA) announced Thursday it was ending its three year boycott of the Home Depot because it was satisfied the home improvement retailer no longer supports gay rights groups.
Randy Sharp, director of special projects for American Family Association, said that “after monitoring the company for several months,” the AFA was “satisfied” that Home Depot has withdrawn its major financial contributions to gay activist groups and to their activities.
The AFA launched the boycott three years ago in response to Home Depot’s support of LGBT pride events, and for promoting diversity-oriented organization, including “Out and Equal Workplace Advocates,” an LGBT advocacy group that supports workplace diversity, marriage equality, and activities such as Transgender Remembrance Day. The Home Depot also supports the Human Rights Campaign.
The AFA claimed Home Depot’s support for such programs was an effort to “promote the homosexual agenda.”
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Sharp did not elaborate on any specifics that led to ending the boycott, but Home Depot spokesman Stephen Holmes told ThinkProgress that nothing at the company had changed:
“We haven’t made any changes to our policies for inclusion and respect of all people, regardless of their sexual orientation. We have not directed our associates to discontinue participation in Pride or other community events, and have no intention of doing so,” Holmes said.
Executives at Home Depot have previously rebuffed the AFA at shareholder meetings, and has ignored the boycott entirely.
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According to the SPLC, the AFA specializes in the “propagation of known falsehoods” and the use of “demonizing propaganda” against LGBT people.
AFA’s boycott “victory” lap comes just two weeks after Home Depot report second quarter sales were 9.5% higher than a year ago, handily exceeding consensus estimates. Earnings per share jumped 23% year-over-year, also higher than consensus expectations.