The Human Rights Campaign (HRC) – the nation’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender organization – has stepped up in support of Starbucks Coffee following a smear campaign launched by the National Organization for Marriage (NOM) hailed as the “Dump Starbucks” movement. NOM launched the campaign against Starbucks amid the company’s sponsorship of LGBT equality in America including same-sex marriage rights.
“Starbucks has been a vocal supporter of marriage equality for loving same-sex couples –- views that are in-line with the majority of Americans –- and that enrages NOM,” said HRC President Joe Solmonese. “As a result, NOM is throwing a temper-tantrum and encouraging its few supporters to intentionally harm the economic well-being of Starbucks employees all over the world.”
Starbucks spoke up in defense of Washington’s gay marriage bill in January. Kalen Holmes, Starbucks’ Executive Vice President, spoke for the bill, explaining to the Seattle Times, “This important legislation is aligned with Starbucks business practices and upholds our belief in the equal treatment of partners. We are deeply dedicated to embracing diversity and treating one another with respect and dignity, and remain committed to providing an inclusive, supportive and safe work environment for all of our partners.”
Other companies joined forces with Starbucks at that time including Amazon, Microsoft, Google and Nike.
“People like [NOM‘s president] Brian Brown and Maggie Gallagher no doubt use products from the dozens of consumer-facing brands that have come out in support of marriage equality and against Proposition 8 on a daily basis,” said Solmonese. “Do they not have any Microsoft software in their office? Do they ban employees from owning iPhones?”
As a part of its smear campaign against Starbucks, NOM will distribute ads throughout the United States, Middle East, and Southeast Asia calling for its customers to abandon its loyalty to the coffee chain in wake of its stance on gay marriage.
“We will not tolerate an international company attempting to force its misguided values on citizens,” said Brian Brown, president of NOM, according to The Miami Herald. “The majority of Americans and virtually every consumer in some countries in which Starbucks operates believe that marriage is between one man and one woman. They will not be pleased to learn that their money is being used to advance gay marriage in society.”
