Kraft's Dysfunctional Diversity: ‘Gay Games’ Promotes Sadistic ‘Mr. Leather’ Event in Chicago
6/1/2005 1:00:00 PM
By Peter LaBarbera, IFI Executive Director
 | Miller wraps its logo in leather for "Mr. Leather" event. |
Kraft Foods' sponsorship of the "Gay Games" in Chicago is not just cheesy, it's gross.
WARNING: This report contains some graphic descriptions of heinous behaviors.
Just as we suspected, these Homosexuality Games--the same ones that Mayor Richard Daley pursued for Chicago with Howard Dean-like enthusiasm--are about much more than sports. They're also about celebrating perverse sexual behaviors, in this case the sadomasochistic event "International Mr. Leather," which just ended in Chicago and which the "Gay Games" promoted through its official e-mail newsletter.
It simply doesn't get much more perverted than International Mr. Leather (IML), an event that disgraces the Windy City--and shocks unsuspecting passers-by--every year. IML drew more than 10,000 mostly homosexual "leathermen" from all over the world to Chicago's Hyatt Regency Hotel near Navy Pier over the Memorial Day weekend.
The men who flock to Chicago for IML practice various sordid behaviors that collectively make up what they euphemistically call the "leather" lifestyle, including: "consensual" sadism, masochism, bondage, humiliation, condomless anal sex ("barebacking"), and other pain-inducing "sexual" practices including "ritual cuttings," etc.
 It's difficult to convey to normal people how bizarre and twisted the "leather" world is, but just to give you an idea: among the IML participants are men who embrace "master-slave relationships." Yes, over the Memorial Day weekend, there were sightings of "masters" chained to their submissive "slave" in the streets of Chicago (see photo on the left from the IML website from last year's event).
That's right: here in the Land of Lincoln, homosexual men roamed the streets and halls of the Hyatt Regency chained to their male "master" partners, being led around like dogs wherever they went.
Truth is stranger than fiction when it comes to what is "tolerated" in the "gay community."
[Editor's Note: IFI's Senior Policy Analyst David Smith, asserts that "much of the activity and the vast majority of the pornography sold and displayed at the IML Convention is illegal under state and federal obscenity laws." Smith asked aloud, "why do local and state officials continually turn a blind eye to these types of perverse and illegal activity? Could it be that they do not want to anger their good friends in the homosexual community?"]
Public health hazard
In the evenings, IML participants engage in drug-enhanced orgies which surely serve as a breeding ground for assorted sexually-transmitted diseases, not to mention other risks associated with their extreme behaviors. Three years ago, at the same IML event at the Chicago Hyatt Regency, Oklahoma sadism activist Stephen Scott died from a drug overdose. (See the story by Allyson Smith for Concerned Women for America by clicking HERE.)
One e-notice for IML-related nighttime events in Chicago described a "cuttings demo" (the ritualized cutting of the skin and drawing blood) at a homosexual "leather bar" called the Cellblock.
(For the record, this creepy behavior also exists between men and women in the parallel heterosexual "leather" world, but nobody outdoes the homosexual "leathermen" when it comes to extreme and disgusting behaviors, e.g., "fisting".)
Diversity has no limits
Kraft Foods gave $25,000 to the "Gay Games," scheduled for July 2006, and refuses to abandon its sponsorship following publicity by American Family Association and Illinois Family Institute. In response to the growing controversy, Kraft Foods Executive Vice President Marc Firestone sent the following internal memo proudly defending his corporation's sponsorship of the Homosexuality Games in the name of "diversity"(emphasis added):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. How's this for diversity? Gay Games promotes IML
As if to test Firestone's proposition that diversity is "not a selective concept," an official "Gay Games" e-newsletter obtained by IFI promoted the sadomasochistic "Mr. Leather" event, specifically, a "leather market" in which various sadomasochistic gear--including whips, leather hoods, and "electro-torture" devices designed to augment pain in sexual SM acts--were sold.
Among the booths at the IML "Leather Market" that I observed last year walking through the Hyatt Regency (and which was represented again this year, according to an IFI source who attended this year's event) was one by a group catering to men who involve urine in their sadistic sex orgies.
Yes, that's diversity, but it's also as sick and depraved as you can get.
The following is the "Gay Games" item promoting the IML "Leather Market":Friday-Monday, 27-30 May 2005
IML Leather Market
Gay Games information volunteers will be on hand throughout the IML Leather Market at the Hyatt Regency, 151 East Wacker Drive, all Memorial Day Weekend. Drop by Friday Noon to 7, Saturday 11 to 7, Sunday 11 to 5 or Monday, 11 to 4.  ACTION: Call the Hyatt Regency Chicago at 312-565-1234 to let them know what you think about them hosting this cornucopia of perversion every year. Let the hotel know this is a despicable thing for them to be sponsoring, not to mention a grave public health hazard.
Hyatt Regency Chicago
151 East Wacker Drive
Chicago, IL 60601
312-565-1234
.JPG) And call Kraft Foods and Harris Bank and let them know that celebrating homosexuality should NOT be a part of their "diversity" equation:
Kraft Foods: 1-800-323-0768
Harris Bank (with more than 150 Illinois locations): 1-888-340-2265
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