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Gay Rights Advocates Boycott Barilla After President of Pasta Maker’s Remarks
Sept. 26, 2013
By SUSANNA KIM
Susanna Kim More from Susanna »
Susanna Kim
Business Digital Reporter
via Good Morning America
PHOTO: An employee stocks Barilla pasta on supermarket shelves near Milan, Italy, Sept. 13, 2007.
An employee stocks Barilla pasta on supermarket shelves near Milan, Italy, Sept. 13, 2007.
Giuseppe Aresu/Bloomberg/Getty Images
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The president of Barilla is apologizing for saying that he would never use a gay family in the pasta maker’s ads.
Guido Barilla said in an Italian radio interview that his pasta is for the traditional family and said gay people could eat another pasta if they did not like his message.
“We accept his invitation to not eat his pasta,” said Aurelio Mancuso, president of gay-rights group Equality Italia, in a statement in Italian.
Boycotting Twitter users shared the hashtag #boicottabarilla, or “boycott Barilla.”
But Barilla quickly walked back his comments.
“With reference to remarks made yesterday to an Italian radio program, I apologize if my words have generated controversy or misunderstanding, or if they hurt someone’s sensitivity,” Guido Barilla said in a statement. “In the interview I simply wished to underline the central role the woman plays within the family.”
Gay marriage is not legal in Italy.
He added, “For clarity, I would like to point out that: - I have the utmost respect for anyone, without distinction of any kind.
- I have the utmost respect for gay people and for everyone’s right to express themselves. I’ve also said — and I would like to reiterate — that I respect gay marriages.
- In its advertising, Barilla represents the family - because it’s what welcomes everyone and what has always been identified with our brand.”
*shakes head* does anyone believe there are enough pole smokers to affect Barilla’s bottom line?
Well Guido, your company makes good pasta.
Why not stick with that, and shut up about the rest.
I’m really tired of people who have a success/career and decide to let us know what they *think* about political/social issues. As if, I can’t make up my own mind about things.
Hear me, Robert DeNiro?