Ford Motor Co. has been targeted by 19 anti-gay groups who say the Detroit automaker is catering to gays and lesbians.

The groups are urging their supporters to boycott Ford cars because the company is promoting all eight brands in gay publications.

The American Family Association, which is leading this latest effort, originally asked its members to boycott Ford last year. But it suspended the campaign for six months at the request of some Ford dealers.

Anti-gays claim right to boycott cars
Anti-gays claim right to boycott cars

"Ford has the right to financially support homosexual groups promoting homosexual marriage, but at the same time consumers have a right not to purchase automobiles made by Ford," family association chairman Donald Wildmon said in a statement.

Ford said it is "proud of its tradition of treating all with respect and we remain focused on what we do best, building and selling the most innovative cars and trucks worldwide."

The company declined further comment.

Ford originally bowed to pressure from the anti-gay groups. It announced last December that it would stop advertising its Jaguar and Land Rover luxury brands in gay publications.

But Ford changed its mind after gay rights groups met with the automaker.

The family association claims to have two million online members and a mailing list of 160,000. Other groups in the boycott include the Center for Reclaiming America, Coalitions for America and the Liberty Counsel.