July 15, 2014
AFA Campaigns Against Burger King's 'Proud Whopper'
Bobby McGuire READ TIME: 2 MIN.
A Mississippi based hate group is taking aim at fast food giant Burger King, and it's not because they "hate" the caloric content of the restaurant chain's menu items.
Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) designated anti-gay hate group, American Family Association (AFA) launched an "Action Alert" Tuesday against Burger King over the "Proud Whopper" rainbow colored wrappers that covered the fast food chain's signature sandwich at a single San Francisco location for one day last month.
Although the Whopper inside the wrapper remained the same megaburger served in non-rainbow packaging, AFA is warning followers of a "real possibility" that the one-day promotion could expand to a town near them. They asked the faithful to send a message to Burger King headquarters to reinforce their message, "that promoting and encouraging abhorrent behavior will drive families away."
The form email reads:
I am offended by Burger King's stunt in offering a so-called "Proud Whopper" in San Francisco. What were you thinking?
Your celebrated promotion of cross-dressers and homosexuality is an insult to families and I find your celebration of abhorrent behavior as a reason to dine elsewhere.
I hope you will learn from this publicity blunder and realize that while most stores did not participate in the corporate-approved program, the damage has been done and affects the image of all Burger King outlets.
Last month, as part of a one-day promotion during San Francisco's Gay Pride Week, Burger King had Whoppers wrapped in rainbow packaging at a single Bay Area location.
"Proud Whopper...showcases who we are as a brand," Fernando Machado, Burger King's Senior Vice President of Global Brand Management said, adding "It shows how we, as a brand, believe in self-expression."
"Proud Whopper" wrappers have become a collectors item and are being auctioned on eBay for $500 opening bids.
