Pasta firm Barilla boycotted over 'classic family' remarks

[lostinblue 1,989]

Pasta firm Barilla boycotted over 'classic family' remarks

Chairman Guido Barilla causes outrage in Italy after saying he would not consider using a gay family to advertise his products

Guido Barilla is accused by Aurelio Mancuso, chairman of Equality Italia, of being deliberately provocative.

Gay rights activists in Italy have launched a boycott of the world's leading pasta maker after its chairman said he would only portray the "classic family" in his advertisements and, if people objected to that, they should feel free to eat a different kind of pasta.

Guido Barilla, who controls the fourth-generation Barilla Group family business with his two brothers, sparked outrage among activists, consumers and some politicians when he said he would not consider using a gay family to advertise Barilla pasta.

"For us the concept of the sacred family remains one of the basic values of the company," he told Italian radio on Wednesday evening. "I would not do it but not out of a lack of respect for homosexuals who have the right to do what they want without bothering others … [but] I don't see things like they do and I think the family that we speak to is a classic family."

Asked what effect he thought his attitude would have on gay consumers of pasta, Barilla said: "Well, if they like our pasta and our message they will eat it; if they don't like it and they don't like what we say they will … eat another."

In response, Aurelio Mancuso, chairman of Equality Italia, accused Barilla of being deliberately provocative. "Accepting the invitation of Barilla's owner to not eat his pasta, we are launching a boycott campaign against all his products," he added.

Within hours, the hashtag 'boicotta-barilla' was trending on Twitter. The Barilla chairman issued a statement saying that he was sorry if his remarks had caused offence and that he had only been trying to draw attention to the "central role" played by women within the family.

"I apologise if my words generated misunderstandings or arguments, or if they offended the sensibilities of some people," he said.

The interview started by asking Barilla what he thought of an appeal made on Tuesday by the speaker of the lower house of parliament, Laura Boldrini, to change the often stereotypical image of women in Italian advertisements.

"There are some adverts … which, when I see them, I think, 'but would this advert be broadcast in other countries? In the United Kingdom would this advert be broadcast?" said Boldrini. "And the answer is certainly not. An advert in which the children and father are all sitting down and the mother is serving at the table cannot be accepted as normal."

Barilla responded by saying Boldrini did not understand the advertising world and women were fundamental to adverts.

He went on to discuss gay rights, saying that he "respected everyone" and was in favour of gay marriage, but against gay adoption.

The remarks provoked anger among many of the politicians who are trying to pass legislation against homophobic crimes.

The country, on whose politics the Catholic church has long exerted a conservative influence, lags behind many other European countries on gay rights. Far from moving towards the legalisation of gay marriage, Italy still does not recognise same-sex civil unions.

Alessandro Zen, an MP for the opposition Left Ecology Freedom party, said: "Here is another example of Italian homophobia. I am taking part in the [barilla] boycott and invite other MPs – at least those who are not resigning – to do the same."

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/26/pasta-firm-barilla-boycott-gay

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

At least we finally know why Barilla doesn't make rainbow rotini.

[Jacque67 7,328]

I prefer De Cecco for a quick pasta fix.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

You all know my libertarian leans.I fully support peoples rights to be idiots

but as a business owner why enter the fray

why not just let your personal life be just that and keep your mouth shut

he could have family themed commercials all day and no one would ever think a thing about it

[lostinblue 1,989]

You all know my libertarian leans.I fully support peoples rights to be idiots

but as a business owner why enter the fray

why not just let your personal life be just that and keep your mouth shut

he could have family themed commercials all day and no one would ever think a thing about it

He was asked in an interview if they would use a gay family in their advertisements.. The gay community needs another business to boycott to get their agenda out. The backdoor way of using the media without paying for ads.Name 10 products that have a gay family in a national advertisement here in the US.Not gay publications. MSNBC,Time. regular news outlets ect...ABC,..Even 5?

[OriZ 3,157]

I have no problem with gay people. My wife and I picked one of the most liberal states in the US for a reason(even though economically / fiscally iwe are more libertarian, but it's a trade off). HOWEVER

I get so sick and tired of everyone wanting to boycott everyone for having a different opinion, it is retarded. He is allowed to only want 'classic' families in his commercials. His right. Boycott him for that? You're just as much of an idiot as someone who would boycott a company FOR using a gay couple.

Edited September 28, 2013 by OriZ

[Darnell 8,479]

Ah. Pasta Wars, 2013. Coming soon , via PPV, replete with sauces, gravy and your favorite oil.

YUM !

[lostinblue 1,989]

Name 3 commercials that show a gay couple on prime time tv selling a national product ..anyone?

[Darnell 8,479]

double points for Italien TV Commercials.

[RGinWA 816]

Boycott is the American way.

Not having a gay couple and saying you'd never have a gay couple in an ad is two different things. I think even if you wouldn't have a gay couple in an ad you should probably just keep your yap shut.

Boycott's are awesome!

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

Name 3 commercials that show a gay couple on prime time tv selling a national product ..anyone?

I don't think I can name one commercial other than guess what day it is

And maybe the Joe N Noxema commercial

[lostinblue 1,989]

Boycott is the American way.

Not having a gay couple and saying you'd never have a gay couple in an ad is two different things. I think even if you wouldn't have a gay couple in an ad you should probably just keep your yap shut.

Boycott's are awesome!

Chic fil a had a massive business surge and is doing just as well as ever now. Barillia just got free advertising all over the world. It will not hurt them one bit. I am eating Barillia pasta tonight in support of family values.

[Rich and Wen 101]

"Classic" family could also mean that they will not portray African American & Caucasian couples, or Caucasian and Indian, or any of the mixed-ethnicity families many of us are involved in. The interviewer didn't ask of that. But the recent flap about the Cheerios ad makes me realize what else he's talking about.

When I see someone say, "classic" family, I know that it excludes me, because I will marry a Chinese woman, and I have an mixed race son from my first marriage.

I have bought and enjoyed Barilla pasta in the past, but in the future, when faced with a buying decision, I'll choose a different brand.

[The Nature Boy 4,224]

"Classic" family could also mean that they will not portray African American & Caucasian couples, or Caucasian and Indian, or any of the mixed-ethnicity families many of us are involved in. The interviewer didn't ask of that. But the recent flap about the Cheerios ad makes me realize what else he's talking about.

When I see someone say, "classic" family, I know that it excludes me, because I will marry a Chinese woman, and I have an mixed race son from my first marriage.

I have bought and enjoyed Barilla pasta in the past, but in the future, when faced with a buying decision, I'll choose a different brand.

So I since is am married to an Asian woman I am no longer a classic family ? Darn.

[Danno 1,228]

"Classic" family could also mean that they will not portray African American & Caucasian couples, or Caucasian and Indian, or any of the mixed-ethnicity families many of us are involved in. The interviewer didn't ask of that. But the recent flap about the Cheerios ad makes me realize what else he's talking about.

When I see someone say, "classic" family, I know that it excludes me, because I will marry a Chinese woman, and I have an mixed race son from my first marriage.

I have bought and enjoyed Barilla pasta in the past, but in the future, when faced with a buying decision, I'll choose a different brand.

You seem to even take offense when you have no reason to believe he made the leap that "natural" or classic family only pertains to Sicilian Families.

You know the old saying- If you are looking to be offended.... you will be.