Box Turtle Bulletin
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobby“Now you must raise your children up in a world where that union of man and box turtle is on the same legal footing as man and wife…”
News and commentary about the anti-gay lobbySeptember 26th, 2013
Guido Barilla, whose firm has almost half the Italian pasta market and a quarter of that in the US, told Italy’s La Zanzara radio show last night: “I would never do an advert with a homosexual family…if the gays don’t like it they can go an eat another brand.
“For us the concept of the sacred family remains one of the fundamental values of the company.”
He added: “Everyone has the right to do what they want without disturbing those around them”. But then the pasta magnate upped the ante by attacking gay adoption. “I have no respect for adoption by gay families because this concerns a person who is not able to choose,” he said.
Oh, and after the obvious shocked and disgusted response, “I’m sorry if my comments on La Zanzara have created misunderstanding or polemic, or if I’ve offended anyone.”
No, no misunderstanding. It’s clear. You’re an asshat and I’ll accept your invitation to buy other brands (or, better yet, make my own pasta).
Latest Posts
Featured Reports
In this original BTB Investigation, we unveil the tragic story of Kirk Murphy, a four-year-old boy who was treated for “cross-gender disturbance” in 1970 by a young grad student by the name of George Rekers. This story is a stark reminder that there are severe and damaging consequences when therapists try to ensure that boys will be boys.
When we first reported on three American anti-gay activists traveling to Kampala for a three-day conference, we had no idea that it would be the first report of a long string of events leading to a proposal to institute the death penalty for LGBT people. But that is exactly what happened. In this report, we review our collection of more than 500 posts to tell the story of one nation’s embrace of hatred toward gay people. This report will be updated continuously as events continue to unfold. Check here for the latest updates.
In 2005, the Southern Poverty Law Center wrote that “[Paul] Cameron’s ‘science’ echoes Nazi Germany.” What the SPLC didn”t know was Cameron doesn’t just “echo” Nazi Germany. He quoted extensively from one of the Final Solution’s architects. This puts his fascination with quarantines, mandatory tattoos, and extermination being a “plausible idea” in a whole new and deeply disturbing light.
On February 10, I attended an all-day “Love Won Out” ex-gay conference in Phoenix, put on by Focus on the Family and Exodus International. In this series of reports, I talk about what I learned there: the people who go to these conferences, the things that they hear, and what this all means for them, their families and for the rest of us.
Prologue: Why I Went To “Love Won Out”
Part 1: What’s Love Got To Do With It?
Part 2: Parents Struggle With “No Exceptions”
Part 3: A Whole New Dialect
Part 4: It Depends On How The Meaning of the Word "Change" Changes
Part 5: A Candid Explanation For "Change"
At last, the truth can now be told.
Using the same research methods employed by most anti-gay political pressure groups, we examine the statistics and the case studies that dispel many of the myths about heterosexuality. Download your copy today!
And don‘t miss our companion report, How To Write An Anti-Gay Tract In Fifteen Easy Steps.
Anti-gay activists often charge that gay men and women pose a threat to children. In this report, we explore the supposed connection between homosexuality and child sexual abuse, the conclusions reached by the most knowledgeable professionals in the field, and how anti-gay activists continue to ignore their findings. This has tremendous consequences, not just for gay men and women, but more importantly for the safety of all our children.
Anti-gay activists often cite the “Dutch Study” to claim that gay unions last only about 1½ years and that the these men have an average of eight additional partners per year outside of their steady relationship. In this report, we will take you step by step into the study to see whether the claims are true.
Tony Perkins’ Family Research Council submitted an Amicus Brief to the Maryland Court of Appeals as that court prepared to consider the issue of gay marriage. We examine just one small section of that brief to reveal the junk science and fraudulent claims of the Family “Research” Council.
The FBI’s annual Hate Crime Statistics aren’t as complete as they ought to be, and their report for 2004 was no exception. In fact, their most recent report has quite a few glaring holes. Holes big enough for Daniel Fetty to fall through.
“Google” is a trademark of Google Inc.
© Box Turtle Bulletin. All Rights Reserved.
Posts 
Posts via daily email:
tristram
September 26th, 2013
Apparently Barilla also sells a number of other products, including Wasa crispbread. I like Wasa, but it’s now off my grocery list.
William
September 26th, 2013
Well, that’s fine. He doesn’t have to portray gay families in his adverts if he doesn’t want to, and we don’t have to buy his pasta if we don’t want to. Personally, I always buy Napolina pasta and tinned tomatoes.
TampaZeke
September 26th, 2013
Another foaming at the mouth homophobe that will complain that he was taken COMPLETELY out of context when he was quoted verbatim.
Tony
September 26th, 2013
A judgmental Italian? Say it ain’t so!
Ben In Oakland
September 26th, 2013
It’s not too difficult to boycott barilla, as I boycott Chik-Fil-A, carl’s junior,and quite a few others.
Sir Andrew
September 26th, 2013
There is no apology if it has the word “if” in it.
And speaking of children without a choice: Children also don’t get a choice when being born to idiots, morons and bigots.
Bose in St. Peter MN
September 26th, 2013
While based in Italy, Barilla wants to be global. They built a $120 million facility in Iowa in the 1990s to get around pasta tariffs.
So, it’s their option to be culturally incompetent and write off their LGBT-affirming customer base, but a pretty stupid option.
Stephen
September 26th, 2013
Looks like he’ll get his wish.
Rob
September 26th, 2013
“Two men, one cart, fresh pasta. Figure it out.” If he doesn’t realize that pasta is a staple item in most gay homes, he has bigger problems than he knows.
tristram
September 26th, 2013
The Reuters article has some added info, including the interesting assertion that Barilla supports gay marriage –
http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/09/26/italy-gay-pasta-idUSL5N0HM2O120130926
Joseph Singer
September 26th, 2013
It’s interesting that people think that by uttering “if I have offended anyone I apologize” is so much BS and in fact is a non-apology.
Richard Rush
September 26th, 2013
Oh my, Guido must think his pasta is really special. Until now I would have said, “it’s not,” but now I’d say, “it’s become very special, but not in the way he assumes.”
Timothy Kincaid
September 26th, 2013
Joseph,
“I’m sorry you misunderstood me” is not an apology. It places blame on the listener, not on the one spewing hurtful nonsense.
And “I’m sorry, but…” followed by some excuse for why he said what he said (and would say it again) is also not an apology.
Barillo did both. He “apologized” if his comments “created misunderstanding” and followed up with a clarification that he would never have a same-sex couple because he’s oh so very pro-woman.
Soren456
September 26th, 2013
Guido Barilla is a graduate of the Dan Cathy School of Public Relationsâ„¢. He was the valedictorian of his class.
Mens sana
September 26th, 2013
Well, now that’s really annoying. I checked my pantry and found five Barilla packages: two Angel Hair, and one each Rotini, Medium Shells, and Penne.
So, off to the market to restock!
Priya Lynn
September 26th, 2013
I never heard of Barilla before so its no problem for me to boycott.
The Lauderdale
September 26th, 2013
Well, I’m annoyed. Barilla has always been one of the more “convenient” brands in terms of what’s in the aisle, and I’m pretty sure I have some in my cupboard. What do we know about Prince and New World Pasta Co.?
Joseph Singer
September 26th, 2013
@ The Lauderdale:
http://prince.newworldpasta.com/
Lord_Byron
September 26th, 2013
I love how he seems to imply that kids being adopted without a choice to straight couples is perfectly ok.
gar
September 26th, 2013
Good to know about Wasa. No more.
TampaZeke
September 26th, 2013
@Lord_Byron, he also seems to have conveniently forgotten that ALL of the children in orphanages and foster homes came from Mothers and Fathers and most ended up there because those mothers and fathers abused them and/or neglected them and/or abandoned them and the child had no choice in that either. In Basilla’s mind, when straight people adopt an unwanted child they are selfless heroes but when gay people jump through extra hoops to adopt unwanted children they are selfish villains.
TampaZeke
September 26th, 2013
“Barilla’s”
Désirée
September 27th, 2013
avoiding Barilla’s will be easy. I only buy it when it is on sale, as there are plenty of other brands jut as good but usually cheaper. Wasa however is going to be harder to replace. hardbread is standard breakfast food here and Wasa is the most prominent brand, one of which I have 4 or 5 packages of in my cupboard right now. my wife eats it daily. But regardless, I will accept his challenge to buy another brand. I won’t “boycott” it though. I’m just doing as the company president requests.
LarryG
September 27th, 2013
http://joemygod.blogspot.com/2013/09/pasta-rival-zings-barilla.html#disqus_thread
My new favorite pasta!
Richard Rush
September 27th, 2013
Perhaps this fight will become known as The Thrilla from Barilla.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thrilla_in_Manila
enough already
September 27th, 2013
There is an exceptionally offensive article over on Slate about this right now. Basically, the author is arguing that we gays should just go back into the closet and shut the door, tight.
Personally, I don’t much care for Barilla dried pasta, there are so many better brands on the market and, when time allows, fresh pasta is my preference.
That said, it’s quite simple: He specifically asked me to stop buying his product. I consider that to be a reasonable request and one which I shall be happy to oblige.
customartist
September 27th, 2013
Something tells me that there are exponentially more gay kids being mistreated by hetero parents than the other way around.
Nathaniel
September 27th, 2013
No child chooses its parents; not even children born to loving, heterosexual couples through ‘normal’ sexual methods. It is all luck of the draw. Some children are fortunate enough to be given a second chance in loving homes that choose them. So, for him to trash some of these homes because he disagrees with the ‘lifestyle’ of the parents is the height of narrow-minded ignorance. In fact, the more I think about it, the more I think he is suggesting something insidious, but has chosen not to spell it out.
TwirlyGirly
September 27th, 2013
Link to Barilla “Contact Us” form: http://www.barilla.com/contactus
I told them as a result of the comments made by Mr. Guido Barilla about people who are gay, Barilla products are suddenly leaving a very bad taste in my mouth…. ;)
Leave A Comment