Nearly 80,000 people have signed a
virtual card thanking General Mills for its support of gay marriage.
Last month, Minneapolis-based General
Mills announced it was opposed to a November referendum asking voters
whether the state's law banning gay nuptials should be placed in the
Minnesota Constitution.
“For decades, General Mills has
worked to create an inclusive culture for our employees. We believe
it is important for Minnesota to be viewed as inclusive and welcoming
as well. We oppose the proposed constitutional amendment because we
do not believe it is in the best interests of our employees or our
state economy,” Tom Forsythe, vice president of corporate
communications, said in a statement.
Ken Powell, chairman and CEO of General
Mills, expressed similar views at a Gay Pride event.
Opponents of marriage equality greeted
General Mills' announcement with a four-day protest. The rallies
took place across from the company's headquarters and featured
demonstrators “dumping” General Mills products into a trailer to
be donated to a local food bank.
The Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the
nation's largest gay rights advocate, responded with its own action:
a
virtual card thanking General Mills for its support. As of
Wednesday night, nearly 80,000 people have signed the card.