August 10th, 2009
According to this statement:
Recently, Tim Hortons was approached in Rhode Island to provide free coffee and products for a local event, as we do thousands of times a year across Canada and the United States.
For 45 years, Tim Hortons and its store owners have practiced a philosophy of giving back to the communities in which we operate. As a company, our primary focus is on helping children and supporting fundraising events for non-profit organizations and registered charities.
For this reason, Tim Hortons has not sponsored those representing religious groups, political affiliates or lobby groups.
It has come to our attention that the Rhode Island event organizer and purpose of the event fall outside of our sponsorship guidelines. As such, Tim Hortons can not provide support at the event.
Tim Hortons and its store owners have always welcomed all families and communities to its restaurants and will continue to do so. We apologize for any misunderstanding or inconvenience this may have caused.
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GreenEyedLilo
August 11th, 2009
And LGBT hockey fans everywhere rejoiced. :-)
I do like Tim Hortons when I go visit my people in Michigan, so I’m glad they did the right thing here!
What do you want to bet that the right wingers will be *pissed* that Tim Hortons decided to “stay neutral in the culture wars,” even though that’s what they beg Pepsi to do when they sponsor a Pride parade, etc?
Christopher Waldrop
August 11th, 2009
Lilo, I think you really nailed it. I’ve seen comments in various places about how businesses shouldn’t give in to pressure from LGBT groups…but the same groups and individuals who say that don’t have any problem with calling for boycotts and other pressure tactics.
Duncan
August 11th, 2009
That is a very sensible policy. I do not like to see companies involving themselves in politics, or being boycotted for it, by any faction. It drags down commerce, our peculiarly human practice that is the root of all prosperity, into the base realm of petty politics.
Erich Riesenberg
August 11th, 2009
I hope commerce is not the root of ALL prosperity, some people seem to be learning that is not the case.
Boycotts work both ways. As a business person I will probably continue to support causes important to me, and deal with the consequences. Life is too short to worry, and very few people pay any attention to boycotts, in my experience. A lot of it turns into urban legend type stuff.
Priya Lynn
August 11th, 2009
Erich I for one go out of my way to avoid anti-gay businesses and to give my business to pro-gay ones.
Alex
August 11th, 2009
Priya Lynn,
Do you know of any websites that list pro-gay and anti-gay businesses?
Priya Lynn
August 11th, 2009
There’s a group that produces such a list, I think the Human Rights Campaign.
I’ll try to find it for you later today if someone doesn’t beat me to it. I’ve often consulted it myself but it slips my mind as to where it is right now.
Alex
August 11th, 2009
Thanks, I appreciate it! I can think of a few businesses off the top of my head but it would be great to know of more.
Burr
August 11th, 2009
“And LGBT hockey fans everywhere rejoiced. :-)”
Hahah, exactly!
Nevada Blue
August 11th, 2009
I sent them a thank you note. I like to encourage good behavior as well as discourage bad.
As to boycotts, I have always been torn about them. I am immune to all commerce short of that which continues my survival and very moderate comfort, so my boycott will never financially hurt anyone. But I also don’t like to give my money to those that support hate, among other things. When I have a choice I never will.
Priya Lynn
August 11th, 2009
Alex, here you go. Buying for equality by the Human Rights Campaign:
http://www.hrc.org:80/buyersguide2009/
Alex
August 11th, 2009
Thanks a lot, Priya Lynn.
Jason D
August 11th, 2009
I don’t understand Duncan’s point of view. Upon finding out that, say, company x is using perfectly-legal but absolutely unethical slave labor in Itsokaytohaveslavesvakia — why should I, or anyone else, be expected to continue to line their pockets and tacitly endorse their behavior? Whether it’s the business or charity practices, I see nothing wrong with voting with my checkbook. I seriously don’t get why it’s none of my concern what happens to my money once it leaves my wallet.
Lorenzo
August 11th, 2009
I see that the Aldrich Mansion is also listed as a sponsor. That mansion was used as the intro to the old Dark Shadows soap opera on ABC.
Rob
August 11th, 2009
Bah! The final nail has already hit the coffin before this debacle begun. Ever since Tim Hortons was acquired by Wendys, they’ve been going downhill in terms of quality. They used to make the dough and bake it in store. Now they’re shipping frozen dough from a central plant to franchisees, and they in turn microwave it with the godawful ‘red oven.’ So much for ‘Always Fresh.’ Their coffee is nothing to cheer about either. It is no wonder that the franchisees are currently suing the parent company into oblivion.
Duncan
August 12th, 2009
Why not campaign for abolition in Itsokaytohaveslavesvakia? That is a political matter, not a commercial one.
The trouble with boycotts is that they give people a feeling that they are doing something to help. That detracts from positive action that might make a difference. After all, only a tiny margin of the money you pay can be donated by the company to anything. Most of it goes to employees and sub-contractors and you can never trace where that goes.
These campaigns are also easily manipulated by the companies themselves.
Regan DuCasse
August 16th, 2009
Jason D’s point is especially important. When a company participates in activity that compromises human rights, then they SHOULD be boycotted!
When LGBT taxes, sales dollars and other contributions to the general welfare is turned against them in efforts to restrict their rights and freedoms, ANY fair minded person (or corporation) should make their disapproval be known.
NOM used unethical tactics in misrepresenting what their Marriage and Family Day was in the first place. And doing so with a company based in Canada where there is marriage equality.
NOM can cry foul until the doughnuts and coffee run out, but the fact remains they ARE unethical and are making claims that marriage equality takes more away FROM marriage and family, than the other way around.
Why should any corporation participate in a big lie?
Why should they allow NOM to take them down with them?
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