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News & ArtsMonday, August 10, 2009
Homo / Chow I Don't Eat Donuts
Posted by Dan Savage on Mon, Aug 10, 2009 at 9:17 AM
And not because donuts are bad for me and I live in terror of getting fat—I love me some stale store-bought cake—but because I just don't care for donuts. (Except those chocolate-on-chocolate Mighty O donuts, which are basically fudge.) But if I did eat donuts, I'd be getting someplace other than Tim Hortons. The Canadian donut chain, which has opened hundreds of stores in the US in the last few years, is sponsoring an anti-gay marriage rally in Rhode Island. From the Providence Daily Dose:
National Organization for Marriage [sic] is throwing “Rhode Island’s First Annual” Celebrate Marriage & Family Day this coming Sunday 16th... What may be news to some people, however, is who’s bankrolling this shindig....Yes, Tim Hortons. The Dunkin Donuts of Canada. You know, Canada—where same-sex marriage has been legal nationwide since 2005 (and since 2003 in Tim’s home, Ontario). What in the world are they doing sponsoring something like this? Their site says that they support “local initiatives that make a difference”—such as little leagues, Halloween safety, and the like. And that they sponsor community initiatives with a focus on “helping children and supporting fundraising events for non-profit organizations and registered charities.” But not “those representing religious groups [or] political affiliates,” such as.. well, how would you characterize a group like NOM?
Let Tim Hortons know you'll be getting your deep-friend dough elsewhere: click here for their customer feedback form. Or give 'em a ring at 1-888-601-1616.
UPDATE: Tim Horton pulls out of Maggie Gallagher.
2
This would be more effective for us to protest if they had locations in Seattle we could actually boycott. Just sayin'
3
I wrote a comment to their website and hope that they simply don't realize what they are supporting here. The title of the event certainly sounds nice, but we know that we have to look carefully at the bigots and their double-speak. Perhaps Tim Horton's just needs to be brought up to speed?
5
For the record, Timmy Ho's was bought by Americans years ago, so they're technically not really Canadian anymore except in branding. Nonetheless, this is disappointing.
6
A corporation that receives hundreds of letters of protest will take notice. It does not matter if they are in Seattle or not. It took me less than a minute to tell them I did not approve of their sponsorship of NOM, so I would no longer patronize their company.
Rhode Island is a marriage equality battle ground state that will tip in our direction possibly next year. We should do our part to help them in every way possible, including a national boycott of their doughnut shops.
Rhode Island is a marriage equality battle ground state that will tip in our direction possibly next year. We should do our part to help them in every way possible, including a national boycott of their doughnut shops.
8
As a Canadian who drinks their fantastic coffee on a regular basis, I'm sorely disappointed. Apparently, this is the action of one particular franchise, but it reflects poorly on the entire chain as a result. Timmy's needs to take some action on this.
9
I don't understand how a company that has a regular "roll up the rim to win" contest would be so anti-homo.
oh wait. yes i do. damn.
oh wait. yes i do. damn.
11
Not to mention their coffee tastes like it is brewed with sand in it. Absolutely disgusting. Also worth noting that the franchise they took over for in Rhode Island, Bess Eaton, used to have bible passages written on all of their packaging.
12
Dammit. I love Tim Horton's. So much so that I planned the itinerary of my upcoming BC camping trip to go by as many Tim Horton's as possible. Looks like I'll have to do without those delicious bagel breakfast sandwiches this time.
13
Tim Horton's just replaced a bunch of Dunkin Donuts here in NYC. I almost went in to check them out. Never will now.
15
@11. rumoured that their coffee is not just sand, but also msg-laden sand. had a buddy who had a buddy, et cetera.
17
So much for those who say that homosexuals are beneath attacks and doing harm to the rest of the population. Here you have a perfect example of what they do best, persecuting relentlessly those who support the celebration of marriage, the family and all the life affirming bonds that are created through it. Another one for the hall of shame mr Savage. I'm gonna forward it to all of my friends who support the family because businesses like Horton's need to know that regardless the annoying obscene calls they get from a group of homosexuals those in the majority in the US thank them and will support them now even more. So thank you for making me aware of this great company mr Savage, I'll try to duplicate your efforts (but in a positive way) as many times I can with those in the silent majority.
18
No one is persecuting anyone for supporting the celebration of marriage. We're upset because people like you don't want certain people to be able to celebrate marriage. But of course, you are far to ignorant and hateful to understand that.
Oh, and by the way, speaking out to a corporation to tell them that you don't appreciate their business choices ISN'T persecution, it's acting with a social conscience. Again, something you wouldn't have an inkling of understanding.
Oh, and by the way, speaking out to a corporation to tell them that you don't appreciate their business choices ISN'T persecution, it's acting with a social conscience. Again, something you wouldn't have an inkling of understanding.
19
I just called, and the guy answering the phone at headquarters seemed appalled by what the local franchise was doing, and said the main company is formulating a response right now as to what their local affiliate is doing.
I ended by saying, if they make a statement it would be great if they could affirm their belief in marriage equality.
He replied, "Absolutely."
I ended by saying, if they make a statement it would be great if they could affirm their belief in marriage equality.
He replied, "Absolutely."
20
@6: Wendy's basically bought them in 1995. However, Wendy's got rid of TH in 2006. It's now a Canadian company again (I think).
In any case, they expanded greatly into the U.S. in the past ten years. Head to places like the midwest and people will know what Tim Bits are.
In any case, they expanded greatly into the U.S. in the past ten years. Head to places like the midwest and people will know what Tim Bits are.
23
@19: Good idea requesting that their statement repudiating this sponsorship contain an endorsement of SSM rights.
24
This may come as a shock to you girls but support for traditional marriage cuts across political and religious lines.
25
18 21 Your first comment seemed a very reasonable response to this. Like you said if you don't like the support they're giving to pro family gatherings then take your business elsewhere, that's fair, you shouldn't have to spend your money in a place you don't like or disagree with. But what's not cool is the attacks that Savage tries to incite with his audience anytime he decides that he doesn't like what someone or some group or business is doing. Why the heck would he be calling for a boycott when the majority of those who come here don't even live near a Tim Horton? Why is he asking us to call and threaten them with not spending our money with them because of this and that when the majority here have never set foot on the place to begin with? It is harassment, he's doing this and will continue to do this against any person, any group, or whatever else stands for the family.
And congratulations for having another business kowtowing to your demands. The more you do it the more the population will become aware of what you're all about.
And congratulations for having another business kowtowing to your demands. The more you do it the more the population will become aware of what you're all about.
26
Loveschild, writing an e-mail is not an attack, and you know it. Stop playing the persecuted Christian while trying to force your bigoted morality down everyone else's throats.
And how can you say that homosexuals don't celebrate marriage when it's exactly what we are fighting for?
And how can you say that homosexuals don't celebrate marriage when it's exactly what we are fighting for?
27
@21 That is awesome news! I just read it and am sending another comment to them thanking them for acting responsibly.
Please keep telling us about actions like this and responsible companies can make plain their commitment to equality.
Yay!
PS Don't let trolls like Loveschild lessen this win!
Please keep telling us about actions like this and responsible companies can make plain their commitment to equality.
Yay!
PS Don't let trolls like Loveschild lessen this win!
28
Hey L.C.,
What if we just bought Pepsi products. AFA is constantly asking me to call, harrass, and boycot Pepsi for sponsoring Pride events.
So, Loveschild, do we add Donald E. Wildmon Founder and Chairman of
American Family Association, to the hall of shame for "persecuting relentlessly" those who support full equality for their fellow Americans and their families? Or is the hall of shame only for groups and individuals you disagree with?
What if we just bought Pepsi products. AFA is constantly asking me to call, harrass, and boycot Pepsi for sponsoring Pride events.
So, Loveschild, do we add Donald E. Wildmon Founder and Chairman of
American Family Association, to the hall of shame for "persecuting relentlessly" those who support full equality for their fellow Americans and their families? Or is the hall of shame only for groups and individuals you disagree with?
29
LC @25 says: Attacks that Savage tries to incite...
What attacks?
Dan says:
That would be pretty much exactly to what my comment @18 was referring. He's posting their contact information so that people can reach out to the company, as Terry @19 did along with probably many others, to ask why they made this choice that contradicted their stated corporate stance on donations. There's no incitement to blow up a Tim Horton's or shoot a Tim Horton's manager in the head or beat people who are going into Tim Horton's. Once again, you've got the wrong end of the stick and are shaking it like a terrier.
And NOM doesn't get free coffee and donuts so, yes, I feel pretty good about it.
What attacks?
Dan says:
Let Tim Hortons know you'll be getting your deep-friend dough elsewhere: click here for their customer feedback form. Or give 'em a ring at 1-888-601-1616.
That would be pretty much exactly to what my comment @18 was referring. He's posting their contact information so that people can reach out to the company, as Terry @19 did along with probably many others, to ask why they made this choice that contradicted their stated corporate stance on donations. There's no incitement to blow up a Tim Horton's or shoot a Tim Horton's manager in the head or beat people who are going into Tim Horton's. Once again, you've got the wrong end of the stick and are shaking it like a terrier.
And NOM doesn't get free coffee and donuts so, yes, I feel pretty good about it.
30
Lovechild is a douchebag. Ignore him. People who perpetuate bigotry in the name of religion deserve everything that is coming to them.
Thanks Dan, for bringing this to my attention. As a Rhode Islander fighting in the trenches for equality this is the sort of thing we need to know. Sad that it has to come from a Seattle source. I've never bought anything at a TH, and now I never will. And neither will anyone I am related to or do business with (which is about half the state). Thanks again.
Thanks Dan, for bringing this to my attention. As a Rhode Islander fighting in the trenches for equality this is the sort of thing we need to know. Sad that it has to come from a Seattle source. I've never bought anything at a TH, and now I never will. And neither will anyone I am related to or do business with (which is about half the state). Thanks again.
31
I sent them an email before I saw the statement linked @21. Good on ya, Tim's. Mrs. Fnarf and I must have been in twenty of their stores over the years. Tim Horton's is awesome, great coffee, better donuts (the only donuts that have the highest level of the Fnarf seal of approval, in fact). We've even been in the one in Monroe, Michigan, which was a pretty deep wilderness experience.
Funny how Big Bad Corporations have always been out in front on the subject of gay rights.
Funny how Big Bad Corporations have always been out in front on the subject of gay rights.
32
I wrote to them, and I'm very happy that they came to their senses. Thanks to everyone that wrote to them too.
Go Team!
Go Team!
33
Can we get an update on the main article? I have a feeling that good chunk of people aren't going to wade through 20 comments to find out that Tim Horton's has addressed this.
34
While I'm happy the corporate office has addressed this, I'm still not clear about whether it really affects the Rhode Island location. After all, it's a loophole in the Tim Horton's policy that allowed the RI location to get into this in the first place. While the corporate policy forbids promotion of specific things, the local franchises are allowed to donate to and promote whatever they want. Unless the corporate office is willing to take the franchisee's license away the sponsorship of NOM's event can go ahead.
35
"UPDATE: Tim Horton pulls out of Maggie Gallagher."
I'm not even going to lie. This sentence totally made me giggle. I guess Tim favors the pull-out method to rolling up the rim to win.
I'm not even going to lie. This sentence totally made me giggle. I guess Tim favors the pull-out method to rolling up the rim to win.
36
28 Kim, I want to ask you something but this is not the thread to do it. Let me know when I can ask you, okay.
37
36 LC, ask whenever you think it's an appropriate thread. I'll do my best to answer if I'm around to see it. Heads up, I'll be in and out of state and won't always have Internet access. My 91 year old grandfather broke his hip in LA, and my father-in-law turns 80 years old in PHX.
You've made your opinion of me so well known here, that I can't imagine what you would want to ask me.
I hope you and yours are well.
You've made your opinion of me so well known here, that I can't imagine what you would want to ask me.
I hope you and yours are well.
38
I just called them, and can confirm that they have pulled all sponsorship of the event after realizing its true nature. The rep I talked to said that TH doesn't support any religious or political events, and that once they looked into it they pulled their support.
She said there will be an official statement either today or tomorrow, and that they've received a ton of calls from all over the place. It's nice to know that occasionally, just pointing out bigotry to people can make them change their ways.
She said there will be an official statement either today or tomorrow, and that they've received a ton of calls from all over the place. It's nice to know that occasionally, just pointing out bigotry to people can make them change their ways.
39
This is obviously a plot to have Americans move to Canada to get gay married, thereby increasing Tim Hortons profits which are higher in Canada than in the donut-defying US.
40
(I should note that chain stores are normally owned and operated by fine upstanding citizens who may or may not agree with the chains, by the way)
41
Yeah, I knew something was wrong. This isn't the Timmy's I know and love. Not that their coffee is that great, not that their donuts, soups, and sandwiches are beyond superlatives, but they do a lot for their communities and send poor kids to camp in summer and it's a friendly, lovely place to meet buddies and chat for a while.
And Will, I have moved to Canada and I won't return to the US until I have all the rights and privileges of straight Americans. Maybe not even then. I love Canada (and its spirit) so.
And Will, I have moved to Canada and I won't return to the US until I have all the rights and privileges of straight Americans. Maybe not even then. I love Canada (and its spirit) so.
42
Kim I hope your grandfather gets well soon. I'm gonna post my question in the R-71 Error Rate thread since its concerning a comment you made there. You can answer it if you want to, whenever you get a chance. And the only opinion I've made of you is that you're my sister in Christ even if you don't see it the same way.
43
Thank you, LC. He came through surgery well, and is rehab. He's always been amazing, those legs of his got him on the 1936 Olympic team with Jessie Owens. He's determined to be up around soon.
I reponded, if you want to know more, feel free to ask or Google.
I reponded, if you want to know more, feel free to ask or Google.
44
Someone refresh our collective memory of the website that shows which party several major corporations donates money to.
45
You people in Seattle live in donut Shangri-la with Top Pot donuts. Why the hell does Tim Horton's even come in on your raidars?
46
You people in Seattle live in donut Shangri-la with Top Pot donuts. Why the hell does Tim Horton's even come in on your radars?
47
Wow. That is pretty low of them. I am betting they are also enjoy business rewards of this particular political party- fundies often rely on high doses of fat and sugar to keep up their daily overload of calories. Especially east of Montana, where I am betting there are tons of these shops.
48
Check this one out-a protest that the Sci Fi channel was encouraged to include more gay romance/sex in it's shows. This guy redefines homophobic.
http://ow.ly/jRNm
http://ow.ly/jRNm
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