In the wake of Washington State's new law, Starbucks has come out supporting gay marriage. According to news sources, CEO Howard Schultz said the decision wasn't difficult at all; it was made "through the lens of humanity, and being the kind of company that embraces diversity."
But one group has begun an aggressive campaign to boycott the coffee giant, calling its stand "a culture war on all people of faith" and others who believe that one-man/one woman marriage should be preserved. Yet the group neglects to mention that millions, including people of faith, just want groups like these to stop stirring up unjustified hatred and diverting Americans from serious issues.
Like most making such claims, this group can't explain exactly how gay marriages interfere with heterosexual unions. They seem mostly upset about sharing a legal term that is simply about status and rights.
Tell Starbucks you propose a toast to its stand on gay marriage and equal rights.
We, the undersigned, appreciate the openly supportive stand Starbucks has taken on same-sex marriage.
We see it as a stand for equal rights and equal protection under the law.
Likewise, we denounce groups like the National Organization for Marriage, which seem to unjustly stir up hatred and conflict, without backing their protest of gay marriage with any proof that it presents harm to heterosexual unions or to the institution of marriage itself.
We believe such groups should listen to what researchers like Harvard Professor Nancy F. Cott have to say on this subject instead of making unsubstantiated and fear-mongering statements about gay marriage's effect on society.
http://www.dailytarheel.com/index.php/article/2012/02/harvard_professor_speaks_about_gay_marriage_at_equality_matters_lecture
While researching her book on the history of marriage and studying marriages' origins, Colt came to the conclusion "that marriage is a legislatively created institution, not a religious construct," that should be available to all genders and sexual orientations.
"History shows," said Colt, "that the right to marry is a basic civil right."
We applaud Starbuck's recognition of the fact that marriage is indeed a legal issue and its stand that all people should enjoy equal protection where marriage rights are concerned.
