Thousands are thanking Starbucks for
its support of a gay marriage law in Washington state as foes launch
a boycott against the coffee giant.
The National Organization for Marriage
(NOM), the nation's most vociferous opponent of gay marriage, on
Wednesday launched its Dump Starbucks protest.
“We will not tolerate an
international company attempting to force its misguided values on
citizens,” NOM President Brian Brown said in a statement. “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.”
The group said it would place ads
urging customers to “dump Starbucks” in the United States as well
as in the Middle East and Southeast Asia.
Gay rights groups responded with
campaigns supporting Starbucks.
More than 42,000 people have joined
SumOfUs.org's
online campaign thanking Starbucks for its support.
“Starbucks customers are speaking
loud and clear: Being for equality is good for business,” Taren
Stinebrickner-Kauffman said in a statement. “We're seeing almost
unprecedented levels of interest from our members in this campaign.
NOM is soon going to have to face the truth that it's losing the
culture war it's been waging against LGBT people.”
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the
nation's largest gay rights advocate, invited customers to sign an
open
letter of support to Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz, who on
Wednesday defended
the company's decision.
“NOM is falling back on their typical
tactics. 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,” HRC President Joe
Solmonese said in a statement. “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.”