Starbucks CEO cancels appearance at church linked to anti-gay group
Thu. August 11, 2011 12:14 AM by GoPride.com News Staff
South Barrington, Ill. -
Starbucks founder and CEO Howard Schultz has canceled a scheduled appearance at a suburban Chicago church linked to an anti-gay group.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Schultz was supposed to talk Friday about at the Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, but canceled after an online campaign at change.org.
Willow Creek Community Church is a partner with "Exodus International," a group that claims people can be "cured" of homosexuality with God's help.
"Organizations that attempt to cure people of their sexual orientation are dangerous," said petition organizer Asher Huey. "They are rejected by major medical organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association."
Seattle-based Starbucks refused to comment to the Chicago Tribune about whether the petition had anything to do with Schultz's decision.
The Chicago Tribune reported that Schultz was supposed to talk Friday about at the Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington, but canceled after an online campaign at change.org.
Willow Creek Community Church is a partner with "Exodus International," a group that claims people can be "cured" of homosexuality with God's help.
"Organizations that attempt to cure people of their sexual orientation are dangerous," said petition organizer Asher Huey. "They are rejected by major medical organizations, including the American Psychiatric Association and the American Psychological Association."
Seattle-based Starbucks refused to comment to the Chicago Tribune about whether the petition had anything to do with Schultz's decision.