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Kraft: It's The Right
Thing to Do
Related: Kraft Attacked for Gay Games Support
Outsports
received this e-mail sent to Kraft employees on May 23.
To: All
Employees
From: Marc Firestone, Executive Vice President, Corporate Counsel
and Corporate Secretary, Kraft Foods Inc.
Subject: Kraft's Contribution to 2006 Gay Games
The true test of any commitment is how you respond when challenged.
Kraft is experiencing this to a degree right now, as a result of our
decision to be one of several contributors to the 2006 Gay Games in
Chicago. The games will bring together thousands of athletes in a
competition that will take place in our corporate hometown.
In recent days, the company has received many e-mails, the majority
of them generated through the America Family Association, which
objects to our sponsorship. We also have received calls and
e-mails - - not as many, but equally passionate - - thanking us for
supporting this event. A member of Chicago Mayor Richard Daley's
team said, "We applaud the businesses that are sponsors of the Gay
Games, including Kraft Foods."
You may have questions or might have had questions from friends and
family about our contribution to this event. While Kraft certainly
doesn't go looking for controversy, we have long been dedicated to
support the concept and the reality of diversity. It's the right
thing to do and it's good for our business and our work environment.
Diversity makes us a stronger company and connects us with the
diversity that exists among the consumers who buy our products.
Diversity is more than a word many people like to say. At Kraft we
truly respect all kinds of differences. And diversity is not a
selective concept. By definition, it's nothing if not inclusive. We
respect diversity of ethnicity, gender, experience, background,
personal style and yes, sexual orientation and gender identity.
Recognizing, respecting and valuing these differences helps us be a
more successful business and a workplace where all employees can
realize their full potential.
For more than a decade, we have had employee councils that promote
our awareness of diversity. The newest of our nine diversity
councils is the Rainbow Council, which strives to provide a forum
for support and networking among gay, lesbian, bi-sexual and
transgender employees; raise awareness within Kraft and promote
involvement in the community. Each council has an executive sponsor
and I have been the Rainbow Council's sponsor since last year.
Through all of our councils, we support various initiatives that
demonstrate how strongly we believe in diversity, through
involvement in the community. Our sponsorship of the 2006 Gay Games
is one of almost 1,700 cash and in-kind grants we make annually.
It can be difficult when we are criticized. It's easy to say you
support a concept or a principle when nobody objects. The real test
of commitment is how one reacts when there are those who disagree. I
hope you share my view that our company has taken the right stand on
diversity, including its contribution to the 2006 Gay Games in
Chicago.
May 25, 2005
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