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Starbucks Pushes Latte and Homosexual Agenda

September 2, 2005Written by George Anderson

By George Anderson

Starbucks was looking to get people talking with its "The Way I See it" promotion. It worked.

The promotion includes quotes from a number of well-known (to varying degrees) Americans on a variety of subjects imprinted on Starbucks' cups.

One particular quote, number 43 in the series, has the Concerned Women for America (CWA) citing it as proof that Starbucks supports the homosexual lifestyle.

The quote from Armistead Maupin, the writer of the bestseller Tales of the City, says: "My only regret about being gay is that I repressed it for so long. I surrendered my youth to the people I feared when I could have been out there loving someone. Don't make that mistake yourself. Life's too damn short."

Meghan Kleppinger, assistant to the national field director at CWA and an avowed loyal, albeit former, customer of Starbucks, sees the quote as another example of the coffee chain making the wrong choice on a number of issues that for her and many others is a matter of morality.

She wrote on WorldNetDaily last month: "Starbucks has a corporate policy of supporting the homosexual agenda by sponsoring 'Pride' events all over the country -- events where children will be exposed to sexually explicit materials and pedophiles as well as the extremely liberal and pro-abortion Planned Parenthood. This might be a good time to add that the owner of Starbucks made a large donation to a liberal candidate's campaign."

Maureen Richardson, state director of CWA in Washington told The Seattle Times that the group is not calling for a boycott of Starbucks but suggests the company would be wise to steer away from activities that might cost it customers. "I think it's wiser for them to stay out of these issues so that they don't offend conservatives and people of faith."

"If you want my money, support some of my causes," she added.

Ms. Richardson suggests that if Starbucks is going to continue supporting issues such as the homosexual lifestyle and abortion, it should balance it with contributions to groups such as the Boy Scouts of America, which advocates for children but rejects homosexuality as immoral. She also suggested the company contribute financially to the operation of pro-life clinics and advocacy groups.

Leo Hindery, author of It Takes a CEO: Leading with Integrity, said there are some issues that are too controversial for public businesses to deal with. "There are many religious-based social issues that are so hard for society to address right now -- things like abortion and capital punishment -- they're better left for another time…

But there are a couple of places where it is clear to me that there should be no ambiguity of corporate responsibility -- the environment and civil rights. As a corporation, you cannot let the desire for unanimity override your obligation for fairness."

Audrey Lincoff, a spokesperson for Starbucks, said, "Embracing diversity and treating people with dignity is one of the guiding principles of our corporation."

Another company spokesperson, Lara Wyss, said decisions about sponsoring local events of any kind are made at the store or regional level. She also added that Starbucks does not make outright contributions to groups such as Planned Parenthood. It does, however, match its workers' contributions to charities as a matter of company policy.

Moderator's Comment: The CWA suggests that Starbucks and other companies should either stay away from controversial subjects such as homosexuality and abortion or take a balanced approach where opposing sides are represented and/or receive corporate contributions. Do you agree with this position?

Following the CWA logic, if Starbucks included the Armistead Maupin quote it would also need to have a cup with a quote from, say, Anita Bryant. In 1977, Ms. Bryant said, "As a mother, I know that homosexuals cannot biologically reproduce children; therefore, they must recruit our children." - George Anderson - Moderator

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