In recent news, Guido Barilla (of the pasta company) offended a great many people by airing his opinions on “homosexual families” (by which he appears to mean same-sex couples, especially male couples). And then issued versions of the classic non-apology apology “I’m sorry you were offended”.
From USA Today on September 30th, the background:
“I would never make a spot with a homosexual family,” Barilla said Thursday [September 26th] on the Italy radio program La Zanzara (The Mosquito), according to Italian news agency ANSA. “Not out of a lack of respect but because I do not see it like they do. (My idea of) family is a classic family where the woman has a fundamental role.”
ANSA reported that when the show’s hosts noted that gays and lesbians eat pasta, Barilla responded, “That’s fine if they like our pasta and our communication, they can eat them. Otherwise, they can eat another pasta.”
Many gay commenters also noted that quite a few “homosexual families” have not one, but two, women.
Bowing to continuing criticism of his controversial remarks about gays, Guido Barilla has pledged to meet with groups “that best represent the evolution of the family, including those who have been offended by my words.”
The concession, posted in a video apology on the website of his family-owned pasta giant, came as the company tried to calm the boycott calls and criticism ignited last week when Barilla said he would not show gay families in company ads. [USA Today]
Some responses:
“Now that we know pasta CEO G. Barilla is homophobic, it’s a good day to say DeCecco is far better anyway,” tweeted actress Mia Farrow.
Barilla pasta product competitors Bertolli and San Remo used the controversy to post social media advertising messages that stressed support for families of all types. “Pasta for all,” proclaimed a similar Buitoni ad posted on Facebook. [USA Today]
Bertolli has been visibly gay-friendly for some time. Here’s a 2009 ad featuring a male couple:
So we now have several gay pastas. Gay pastas in other senses on this blog:
7/6/11: “Gay spaghetti”, featuring the slogan “Oh you’re straight? So is spaghetti, until it gets hot” and a discussion of screw pasta
1/31/12: “Fag food”, on Fagolosi brand pasta and on fagottini
5/24/13: “News on the edible pasta front”, with penis pasta
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