The first time I tried a coffee drink was at Starbucks. It rocked. I’ve loved the smell of coffee for a long time, and discovered that coffee actually tastes wonderful (with a few things added in) that lovey day when I tried that drink with a paragraph-long name….
Why, then have I decided to dump Starbucks?
Because in January this year Kalen Holmes, vice president, Partner Resources employee of Starbucks released a memo saying:
“Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples. This important legislation is…core to who we are and what we value as a company. We are proud of our Pride Alliance Partner Network group, which is one of the largest Employer Resource Groups for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) employees in the U.S., helping to raise awareness about issues in the communities where we live and work.”
“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.”
I’ve dumped Starbucks because of this statement supporting gay marriage.
While I don’t take issue with Starbucks supporting diversity and including people from every walk of life, I do have a problem with a company which says gay marriage is “core to who we are and what we value as a company.”
It would make sense for a place like Starbucks to not take sides on controversial issues. I know that doesn’t sound like me (I am so annoyed when people are apathetic and don’t stand up) but I do believe some types of organizations should remain neutral on particularly controversial issues. I mean really, does buying coffee have to be controversial?
It’s hard to buy anything nowadays without finding out it has some connection to Planned Parenthood or some gay marriage cause. If Starbucks had really thought this through, they would have realized that is has cost them much more than what they’ve gained by announcing their support of gay marriage. Think about it. Not many people would refuse to buy coffee because Starbucks didn’t support gay marriage. But now, thousands of people have decided to “Dump Starbucks” because of this.
I stand with my Catholic faith, and everyone who stands for traditional family values when I stand against Starbuck’s decision. I value the family unit as the foundation on what our society was built, and I will not support any attack on that pillar of strength. I will not knowingly support any company which supports the breakdown of the family either, and Starbucks has unfortunately been added to that list.
I’ve signed the pledge, and have dumped Starbucks. Will you?
A Drop in the Ocean 