Oreo Cookies Celebrate Gay Pride
Image Source: Oreo Facebook Page
Kraft Foods, the maker of Oreo cookies, proudly displays their support of Pride with this fun rainbow Oreo posted on their Facebook page. The image is beautifully simple with only the words: June 25 | Pride.
Since posting the image on Monday, June 25, nearly 250,000 people have “liked” the photo and nearly 80,000 people have shared the image. As of this evening, there are over 45,000 comments on the image, many that simply express thanks.
The disclaimer below the image lets everyone know that this Pride Oreo isn’t actually available for purchase. Bummer, everyone knows that the cream filling is the best part of an Oreo! ; ) All kidding aside, the Pride Oreo is just another example of a company standing up to support LGBT equality.
Note: Oreo is a trademark of Kraft foods. Author does not own rights to image; shared from the Oreo Facebook Page.
Target Corp Sells Same-Sex Greeting Cards
At the end of May, I blogged about how Target was introducing a line of tshirts for Pride as part of their “Wear it with Pride” campaign. For those of you who followed the story in the news, you know that Target received almost immediate backlash from the likes of the American Family Association, National Organization for Marriage (NOM) and several other organizations for taking sides on the fight for equality. In response, Target issued the following statement:
Target does not believe that a constitutional fight over the issue is good for Minnesota or the state’s ability to attract jobs and grow the economy.
Now, instead of backing down, Target has introduced a new line of greeting cards for same-sex couples. There are a variety of cards in the collection. For lesbian couples, there’s: “Two very special women, one very special love.” And then for gay couples, there’s: “Mr. & Mr.” On the inside, the card reads, “…a love story whose time has come! Congratulations.”
Please don’t think that I’m trying to sell you on greeting cards; that’s not the intent of my post. Rather, it’s to point out that even as companies face negative press and threats of boycotts, many are still willing to do the right thing. Kudos to those Minnesota companies that have said they don’t think this amendment fight is good for our state.
If you’re at Twin Cities Pride this weekend, please be sure to take a moment to stop by and thank those companies that continue to support our fight. And, if you get a chance, take five minutes out to drop those same companies an email or send them a letter to show your support. Our opponents have no problem sending emails and writing letters; let’s make sure that their voices aren’t the only ones leaders hear.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to go write out a card to the best lesbian couple I know. Shawnee and Raegan, this post is for you.
Author’s note: Target team member involved with Target’s LGBTA Business Council.
General Mills CEO Opposes Amendment
Tonight, I had the honor to attend General Mills’ annual Pride reception. This is the second year I’ve had the opportunity to attend the event, and as Mark Addicks, Chief Marketing Officer, shared, there were more than 200 companies represented tonight.
But what really stole the show was when CEO, Ken Powell took the stage to talk about how his company supports diversity and inclusion and how there is a big issue facing Minnesota this fall and that has to do with marriage. Specifically, the proposed constitutional amendment that would update our state constitution to ban marriage between same-sex couples.
Here’s what Mr. Powell had to say on that. Be prepared to be amazed:
…on a proposed constitutional amendment in November. If passed, this amendment would define marriage in our state constitution as being between one man and one woman, effectively banning same-sex marriage in Minnesota. If defeated, Minnesota voters would send a strong message about our state’s view of the importance of inclusiveness and diversity. I think it’s very clear that the outcome of this election is very uncertain. Ban proponents have won most ballot contests, but Minnesota is seen as one of the best opportunities in the nation to defeat such a ban. Maybe building on the momentum of states like New York and Washington. And frankly, I don’t think we know what will happen.
But we know what position General Mills will take, and I want to share that with you myself.
For decades, General Mills has worked to create an inclusive culture that welcomes and values the contributions of everyone. We’re proud of our workplace, we’re proud to be an employer of choice, we’re proud to be a leader for diversity and inclusion.
So I want to be clear: We oppose the proposed constitution…
[Cheers and applause, standing ovation for Mr. Powell]
We oppose the amendment. We don’t believe it’s in the best interest of our state, our business, or our employees. As a Minnesota-based business, we oppose it.
Talk about an inspiration. I can’t help but think what a historic moment this was to be part of and I’m so thankful for CEO Ken Powell’s support along with the support of General Mills.
Congratulations to my friends and colleagues in Betty’s Family. You deserve to be very proud.
Target Corp. ‘Comes Out’ Against Amendment
You may remember a post I shared a couple weeks ago regarding Target Corp. and their neutral stance on the marriage amendment. Well, have I got news for you!
Last Sunday, the retailer announced a “Wear it with Pride” campaign featuring a collection of Pride tshirts just in time for summer. Tshirts include words like “Harmony” and “Pride.” One design in the collection was created by rocker Gwen Stefani and reads, “Love is Love.” Even better, 100% of the entire purchase price is being donated to the Family Equality Council (an organization working to promote equality for LGBT families).
Almost immediately, Target began receiving backlash from groups like Minnesota for Marriage and the American Family Association for, and I quote, “ramming same-sex marriage down the throats of the American people.” (source)
When groups like the AFA make such ridiculous statements, it mobilizes the LGBT community and their allies who help refute these claims. One of the posts I read last night said that Target was “attacking traditional marriage.” About half a dozen people posted in response asking the author how a collection of tshirts is threatening their marriage. One poster called out the irony behind leaders who make these claims and the fact that some of them have had three to four of their own “traditional marriages!” That made me chuckle.
In response to the hubbub, Target released the following statement:
Target supports inclusivity and diversity in every aspect of our business and has a long history of supporting the LGBT community through giving, volunteerism and event sponsorship and participation. Target does not believe that a constitutional fight over the issue is good for Minnesota or the state’s ability to attract jobs and grow the economy. Consistent with our long-standing support of civic engagement, we are encouraging our team members to exercise their right to vote.
Yeah. Read that again:
Target does not believe that a constitutional fight over the issue is good for Minnesota or the state’s ability to attract jobs and grow the economy.
I was sitting at my desk when one of my co-workers emailed me the link to theKare11.com article and I was floored! While Target has a long history of supporting the LGBT community (Pride, Project 515, Red Ribbon Ride, AIDS Walk, Bridge for Youth, Out & Equal, domestic partner benefits, partner discount, partner leave to name a few), I’m not sure I was expecting to see a statement like this considering the controversy over the Minnesota Forward donation a couple years back (which I talked about in my previous blog post). But I’ll take it!
Minnesota for Marriage has already used all of this to mobilize their base asking for each person to donate $100 to offset the dollars Target will donate to the Family Equality Council. I’m expecting that One Million Moms will probably have something to say about this whole situation as well.
But even still, this is a historic day as another one of Minnesota’s Fortune 500 companies has ‘come out’ against this mean-spirited amendment.
Thank you for supporting all families, Target. You make me very proud.
Author’s note: Target team member involved with Target’s LGBTA Business Council.
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Tweets
- Check out what a visitor to the site asked me to pass along to Father Mike Tegeder. RT if you agree. #minnesota #voteno
http://t.co/4iqhrFX211/09/2012 - #Minnesota nice? Yeah, we #voteno twice! Congratulations to to Minnesota for standing on the right side of history!11/07/2012
- #Minnesota #marriageamendment 78% reporting. #voteno at 50%; yes side has 49%. It's going to be a while before we call this one...11/07/2012
- #Minnesota #marriageamendment 47% reporting. Spread narrows. #voteno side still at 49%; yes side has increased their support to 47%.11/07/2012
- Check out what a visitor to the site asked me to pass along to Father Mike Tegeder. RT if you agree. #minnesota #voteno
