Normally, I don’t jump on these “hot topic issues,” but with all the debate about what the Barilla CEO said recently. I thought I would weigh in. Everyone is so up in arms about his statements. Companies not supporting homosexuality seems to be a real hot button right now, and it tends to blur our ability to think logically about what was actually said.
Before I share, I will say that I am not only totally ok with gay marriage, but recently had my daughter told me she thinks she might be gay. Even with my support of it, I try to look at things logically before I post publicly about these topics. Let’s see what he actually said:
I would never do an advert with a homosexual family. … if the gays don’t like it they can go and eat another brand.
First off, how is this any different when the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch was quoted about not catering to the plus size community? (Before you crucify me, let me continue) The Barilla CEO didn’t say he wouldn’t sell his pasta to homosexuals, just that he will not use them in his marketing campaigns. We may not like that fact, but he has EVERY right to market like this. There’s nothing illegal about it, whether we like it or not. Having said that, my family has decided not to show our support for companies like Barilla, so for our family we are showing our opinion by not purchasing this product anymore. (No ranting required. Talk with your dollars people)
It wasn’t what the Barilla CEO said that upset me really. It was the comments that I started seeing online and on Facebook walls that really shocked me! There were tons of people saying they were tired of homosexuality being “shoved down their throats” and how if a company wants to refuse service to a gay couple because they didn’t believe in homosexuality they should be allowed to do that. Ok, back up. Let’s look at that for a second.
There was a story about a cake store in Oregon that refused to make a cake for lesbian couple getting married (which is legal in that state). In Oregon, there is a LAW against this, so whether you think they should be allowed to or not they broke the law. Because of this refusal the couple did sue the bakery, and there is pending litigation right now.
People are all up in arms in this, but substitute the word gay for black, Asian, or even better yet woman! If any of those terms were in this story ( about the cake store) people would light that store up like a Christmas tree. How people are feeling right now about gay marriage, or gays at all, is how people that believed in segregation where feeling fifty years ago when integration became law. You may not like it, but it’s called progress.
That’s why living in a democracy is a beautiful thing. You have the right to vote on things and voice your opinions to make things law that you believe it happen. That is also the power of being a consumer. You can use your dollars to support, or not support, companies who’s products and product image you agree with.
What I challenge you is that no matter what side that you are on the Barilla debate, don’t let that passion and your opinions blur logic. I do hope that eventually as a society we can learn to respect each other and our right’s to live our lives differently from each other. (That’s what diversity is about right?!)
What’s your opinion on what the Barilla CEO said? Do you believe even though there is a law against it (in some states) that business owners can refuse service to people based on sex, religion, or sexual orientation?
(Please keep this debate respectful)
Dolores says
Glad my wall post could inspire an entire post for you. 😉
Ashley Sears says
You know me, Dolores. Always up for a good debate 😉
Abby says
I say this in all kindness… I find it rather funny that you turned the conversation back around to companies refusing to sell products to people with a homosexual orientation instead of refusing to use them in marketing.
I agree with your comments regarding discontinuing support of companies with which you disagree instead of public bashing. All bashing does is create a bad name for said companies, which doesn’t make the person making accusations any better than the company itself. The company says, in essence, “We don’t like gays”…and the consumer says, “I don’t like that company.” It’s just a bunch of people saying that they don’t like something. Who cares? If you don’t like it, don’t shop there/purchase the products. Simple as that. We spend so much time trying to get others on our bandwagons instead of loving each other and seeking to support the common good.
Ashley Sears says
Abby, I didn’t turn it around. Someone on a friend’s Facebook page made the analogy that it was the same thing. I was just clarifying that those were two separate issues. I agree with you as far as the bandwagon about time wasted. Honestly had that person not said Barilla’s comment was the same as someone having the “right to refuse service” I never would’ve written this post just because EVERYONE is writing about it haha. I just wanted to make the point that even though it’s the hot topic and a bandwagon that people are jumping on that we need to not let that passion, some would say blindness, spill over to other situations that aren’t even remotely related.
Carrie Phelps says
I was first a little surprised but then my thought was he has the right to not use a gay family in his advertisements as anyone opposed to this has the right not to purchase his products. I grew up in the 1960’s and the word then for the excluded was black as now it is gay. Thank God we live in America where we are entitled to not only have our own opinions but to voice them. And by the way, my best friend is gay and I’m going to be her best girl at her wedding!
Sandy Cain says
“Do you believe even though there is a law against it (in some states) that business owners can refuse service to people based on sex, religion, or sexual orientation?” No – I think this is reprehensible. I am old enough to remember when businesses in the South and Southwest refused to serve “coloreds” or “Negroes”. This is just the same, IMHO.