NOM, the National Organization For Marriage, has gone too far this time, rolling out a new campaign claiming — lying — that Starbucks wants to eliminate traditional marriage. A re-tooled website, “Dump Starbucks,” first registered in 2007 to NOM and listing NOM president Brian Brown as the contact, claims that Starbucks “has taken a corporate-wide position that marriage between one man and one woman should be eliminated and that same-sex marriage should become the norm.” NOM explains the accusation, ludicrous on its face, by referring to a corporate memorandum.
“On January 12th, 2012, Starbucks issued a memorandum declaring that same-sex marriage ‘is core to who we are and what we value as a company’,” the Dump Starbucks website claims.
Of course, NOM is twisting Starbucks’ words.
Here are Starbucks’ actual words, in a January letter to employees:
Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples. Starbucks strives to create a company culture that puts our partners first, and our company has a lengthy history of leading and supporting policies that promote equality and inclusion.
This important legislation is aligned with Starbucks business practices and upholds our belief in the equal treatment of partners. It is core to who we are and what we value as a company.
(Emphasis mine.)
See? That “it” isn’t same-sex marriage, but equality. NOM always did have a tough time with nuance, actual words, and facts.
How long do you think it will be before Starbucks either issues a cease and desist letter to NOM and GoDaddy, NOM’s registrar, or just hauls NOM into court?
Regardless, this all goes back to the fact that Starbucks, along with dozens of other local and national corporations, banded together to support same-sex marriage in the state of Washington. Starbucks is based in Seattle, and like many companies, says same-sex marriage is good for business. 70 companies also have signed a letter stating DOMA hurts businesses.
In January, Brian Brown actually threatened Starbucks, telling the coffee retailer to “stay out of marriage fights.â€
Here’s the actual wording on NOM’s new “Dump Starbucks” website:
We are urging consumers across the globe to ‘Dump Starbucks’ because it has taken a corporate-wide position that marriage between one man and one woman should be eliminated and that same-sex marriage should become the norm. As such, Starbucks has deeply offended at least half its US customers, and the vast majority of its international customers.
On January 12th, 2012, Starbucks issued a memorandum declaring that same-sex marriage ‘is core to who we are and what we value as a company.’
Starbucks also used its resources to participate in a legal case seeking to overturn a federal law declaring marriage as the union of one man and one woman.
In many areas of the world where Starbucks does business, the concept of ‘gay marriage’ is unheard of and deeply offensive to cultural, moral and religious values.
In taking these actions, Starbucks has declared a culture war on all people of faith (and millions of others) who believe that the institution of marriage as one man and one woman is worth preserving.
A portion of every cup of coffee purchased at a Starbucks anywhere in the world goes to fund this corporate assault on marriage.
We urge consumers across the globe to join the ‘Dump Starbucks’ campaign.
Please sign the petition to register your protest.
Note that last line?
Exactly. NOM, true to form, is twisting facts to pad their bank account and email fundraising list.
On NOM’s blog today, Brian Brown also added:
“Starbucks has taken a corporate position in support of redefining marriage for all of society. We will not tolerate an international company attempting to force its misguided values on citizens. 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.”
And,
“We respect the important role of businesses in providing goods, services and jobs, and that people of diverse moral views build great companies working together,” Brown said. “But Starbucks has corporately, as an organization, endorsed and helped pass gay marriage in the state of Washington. Its executive vice president of partner resources has stated that gay marriage “is aligned with Starbucks business practices and upholds our belief in the equal treatment of partners. It is core to who we are and what we value as a company.” Corporations should not take sides in a culture war that pits a company against half the American people, and nearly all its consumers in some international markets.”
No doubt, NOM will also be attacking Google, Apple, and hundreds of other companies that support same-sex marriage equality — just like the majority of Americans — right? Or is Starbucks just an easy target because it’s easy for consumers to feel like they’re doing something by giving up Starbucks and walking over to Dunkin’ Donuts? Ask them to give up their Google search or iPhones and NOM would have been very unsuccessful, right?
And since I’m writing this while at a Starbucks, just to taunt NOM, I’m going to order another cup of coffee.
Ah…