The Starbucks coffee giant says redefining marriage is one of its “core” values, and an international boycott has been launched against the company.
The boycott has been organised by American-based campaign group the National Organization for Marriage (NOM), which has set up the dumpstarbucks.com website.
Director of NOM’s Corporate Fairness Project, Jonathan Baker, said Starbucks’ support for same-sex marriage goes beyond a mere statement from an executive.
Starbucks
“The support is not just the personal endorsement of a senior executive, but is the official corporate position of the company,” he said.
“Obviously this position does not reflect the views of all customers and employees and the NOM protest and dumpstarbucks.com is designed to enable these customers and employees to have a voice.”
Boycott
Washington State, in the north west of the US, is currently considering a Bill to legalise gay marriage.
A Starbucks spokesman said: “Starbucks is proud to join other leading Northwest employers in support of Washington State legislation recognizing marriage equality for same-sex couples.”
The boycott has so far attracted the support of over 36,000 people.