A representative from the anti-gay group National Organization for Marriage (NOM) was promptly shut down after confronting a Starbucks executive on the topic of marriage equality at the annual Starbucks Shareholders Meeting in Seattle, Washington. Jonathan Baker, director of NOM’s Corporate Fairness Project and self-identified Starbuck’s shareholder, asked whether the company’s support for marriage equality might affect the company internationally and offend supporters of so-called “traditional marriage.” The Starbucks rep responded by saying: “I think Starbucks has many constituents, and from time to time we are going to make a decision that we think is consistent with the heritage and the tradition of the company that perhaps may be inconsistent with one group’s view of the world or a decision we may make…We made that decision, in our view, through the lens of humanity and being the kind of company that embraces diversity.” Listen to it:
Update:
NOM has posted the full video of its exchange at the shareholders’ meeting: