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Groups to Boycott Starbucks Over Stances on Gay Rights, Guns

Separate boycotts criticize coffee chain's stances on national issues.

 

Some religious and political groups are urging Starbucks customers to grab their morning coffee elsewhere in light of the company's stance on gay marriage and its policy on guns.

USA Christian Ministries, a group boycotting Starbucks for its recent support of gay marriage in the state of Washington, said in a news release that the coffee chain's decision has angered Christians.

"Christians are upset with Starbucks for turning against God," Steven Andrew, president of USA Christian Ministries, said.

The group hopes that, with full support from Christians, Starbucks, which operates two locations in Plymouth, WA, could lose up to 80 percent of its business.

Starbucks joined Microsoft and Nike in publicly supporting gay marriage in a statement last week, according to the Seattle Times. In its statement, Kalen Holmes, executive vice president for partner resources, said the company embraces diversity and provides an "inclusive, supportive and safe work environment" for its employees.

"This important legislation is aligned with Starbucks business practices and upholds our belief in the equal treatment of partners," the statement read. "It is core to who we are and what we value as a company."

Starbucks employees in the Marple Newtown Patch area declined to comment on the issue. However, one employee at a Marple location, who chose to not to be named, shared that serving customers–no matter their sexual affiliation–"doesn't affect me."

"If it doesn't affect me personally, then I don't really care," stated the employee. "If they're happy with the service, then that's fine with me."

This isn't the first time the company has made headlines for taking a stance on gay marriage. In 2011, Starbucks was among a group of 70 business and organizations opposing the Defense of Marriage Act, CNN reported.

An unrelated Feb. 14 boycott is planned to protest the company's policy allowing customers with guns to be served.

The National Gun Victims Action Council, an anti-gun group, said in a Jan. 23 news release its goal is to "eliminate the risk of guns in public places and ultimately to bring sane gun laws to the U.S."

  • Would you boycott Starbucks over its stances on guns or gay marriage?

    (Voting has been closed for this question)
    • Yes, I am opposed to its views on gay marriage
        6 (8%)
    • No, I support its views on gay marriage
        35 (47%)
    • Yes, I am opposed to its gun policy
        7 (9%)
    • No, I support its open-carry policy
        21 (28%)
    • Other (I'll explain with a comment.)
        5 (6%)
    Total votes: 74
  • Your vote will only count once. This is not a scientific poll. View Results Vote!
Related Topics: Anti Gay, Boycott, Gay Marriage, National Gun Victims Action Council, Starbucks, and USA Christian Ministries

Dannytheman

7:50 am on Friday, February 3, 2012

This is an interesting mix of writing. Someone less aware, could read into this that gun owners do not want gay rights upheld. The first amendment gives this religious group the freedom to assemble and protest. The second amendment gives me the right to legally carry a firearm.

In this contest of guns only, in the social media network, please peruse Facebook. The Pro Gun Starbucks supporters have over 20,000 supporters signed up to support Starbucks position. The Anti Gun groups site has shut down the counter when it was stuck at 140 for 3 days.
Law abiding gun owners support businesses that support the constitution of the United States and Pennsylvania. (Criminals don't care, do they?)
I am in Starbucks often in Edgemont, Newtown Square and Broomall. I will be buying in all 3 on Feb 14th. I will also leave a crisp 2 dollar bill in the tip jar.

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