Response to Starbucks' CEO

News Release : Mar 28, 2013
Staff – American Family Association

The American Family Association (AFA) releases easy way to respond to recent comments made by Starbucks' CEO Howard Schultz in which he inferred that those who support traditional marriage should take their business elsewhere.

The following is a release by AFA:

At the annual shareholder's meeting last week, Starbucks CEO, Howard Schultz, insulted [traditional marriage supporters] throughout the country by inferring that they buy stocks in other coffee businesses if they do not agree with his position on [same-gender] marriage...

...This is beyond anything we have seen from the left or the right. Schultz went as far as to [infer] to shareholders who support [traditional] values to sell their stock and support other companies.

According to ChristianNews.net, Tom Strobhar, a shareholder, raised a question during the shareholder's meeting about the significant drop in sales after a boycott from the National Organization for Marriage, who was protesting Starbucks support of homosexual marriage in Washington State.

"In the first full quarter after this boycott was announced, our sales and our earnings, shall we say politely, were a bit disappointing," said Strobhar.

Starbucks' CEO Schultz said the company's decision to support [diversity] was not an economic one and that...

"If you feel, respectfully, that you can get a higher return than the 38% you got last year, it's a free country. You can sell your shares in Starbucks and buy shares in another company. Thank you very much." (Photo by: Pam Roth)

TO TAKE ACTION [you may do any of the following]:

1. Send an email to Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz, asking the company to remain neutral in the issue of gay marriage. We have prepared a letter for you to send. If you are a customer, please add your personal note to the message.

2. If you are a Starbucks shareholder, consider taking Mr. Schultz' advice and sell your Starbucks stock.

3. Take strong action by resolving to no longer support Starbucks by taking your business elsewhere.