A recent investigation by the UK-based organization, openDemocracy, found that there are numerous anti-LGBTQ groups on AmazonSmile. AmazonSmile is the charity arm of Amazon.com which allows customers to choose from a variety of nonprofits from which a portion of Amazon sale profits goes toward.
According to LGBTQ Nation, bigoted groups making money on AmazonSmile include the American Family Association and The Family Leader, which once said that homosexuality is a public health risk.
Beyond that, Mother Jones did an investigation that uncovered a wide range of harmful groups profiting off of AmazonSmile, including multiple anti-vaccination groups, and various hate groups that are associated with the Three Percent “militia”.
Both articles from LGBTQ Nation and Mother Jones quoted AmazonSmile’s supposed commitment to safety, which states:
“Organizations that engage in, support, encourage, or promote intolerance, hate, terrorism, violence, money laundering, or other illegal activities are not eligible. If at any point an organization violates this agreement, its eligibility will be revoked. Since 2013, Amazon has relied on the US Office of Foreign Assets Control and the Southern Poverty Law Center to help us make these determinations.”
However, as both outlets have reported, Amazon is clearly not following through with these regulations the way they should be, and the result is that hate groups, fake news organizations, and bigots are all profiting off of what is supposed to be a helpful tool for nonprofits looking to help the world.
To make your voice heard and to stop the funding of hate groups, you can contact Amazon on their Contact Us page via online chat or phone call.
In an era when hate crimes are on the rise and anti-LGBTQ laws are popping up across the country, it’s vital that companies like Amazon hear your voice and know that America will not stand for the funding and promotion of hate groups, especially by one of the largest and wealthiest corporations on the planet.