Gays, lesbians, bisexuals, transgender people and those who support them celebrate Pride Month every June with parades and festivals in major cities around the world. Some LGBT-friendly companies create special ads for the month, and it never fails to create controversy.
The social networking team at Oreo put a vibrant image on its Facebook page, sporting a six-layer cookie, each cream a different color of the rainbow. Under the image, the message is simple: “Pride.”
Reactions to the rainbow cookie have spanned the spectrum. The image has collected more than 53,000 comments, 86,000 shares and 275,000 likes. Most of the reaction is positive, praising Kraft and Oreo for the public support. Some of the comments, however, denounce the company for endorsing an “unholy lifestyle” and so on, vowing to never buy Kraft products again for disagreeing with their beliefs.
Others are just upset that the delectable-looking cookie isn’t for sale. Even Stephen Colbert got into the mix Wednesday night, shocked that America’s favorite cookie is now “gay” and not just a cookie.
A counter group was created on the network from the hullabaloo, asking people to boycott Oreo and Kraft for their actions. Within 24 hours, it had collected 12 members but can no longer be found.
The next day, the U.S. military celebrated gay pride month at the Pentagon for the first time, thanks in part to the repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. Vice President Joe Biden recently expressed his support for same-sex couples, followed quickly by President Barack Obama, but looking at a map, you’d assume they were two of few in the country with similar beliefs.
Despite the broadening public acceptance of homosexuality, 31 states have amendments banning same-sex marriage, civil unions or both, but only eight plus D.C. allow marriages and 12 recognize civil unions.
Ellen DeGeneres, one of the most popular lesbian celebrities, is not secretive about her sexuality or marriage to Portia de Rossi, and her daytime talk show has become a must-watch for millions of Americans across the country. With such an expansive audience, both Cover Girl and JC Penny jumped the opportunity to make DeGeneres their spokeswoman.
And with that, consumers swore off products they’ve used and enjoyed for years only because a lesbian is promoting them.
Starbucks, Green Giant, Macy’s, Target and even the Girl Scouts have been denounced within the past year for one reason or another, whether for opposing a bill to define marriage as between a man and a woman or for simply using same-sex couples in advertisements.
Homosexuality isn’t going anywhere, nor is the support for gay men and lesbians and their rights across the country. You don’t like the rainbow cookie picture? Or the two men in a Father’s Day ad? That’s fine. Go right ahead and waste your time and energy fighting a pointless battle.
For the past decade, the ultra-religious and conservative have attempted to destroy anyone, company or individual, who wants to taint the “sanctity of marriage,” but I don’t see Starbucks having any problem making a profit. And those Girl Scouts have almost cornered the market on cookies in the spring.
@ Newsday — Long Island, N.Y.
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