Barilla Pasta: If the gays don’t like it they can eat another brand

Totally not gay. Via jazarah.net

The Independent reports that Barilla Chairman Guido Barilla told Italy’s La Zanzara radio show last night:

“I would never do an advert with a homosexual family…if the gays don’t like it they can go and eat another brand. For us the concept of the sacred family remains one of the fundamental values of the company.”

Via accademialigustica.it

According to Italy's Gazzetta Del Sud, calls for a boycott of the world's largest pasta brand are spreading through Italy under the hashtag #boicottabarilla — now trending on Twitter.

People are also developing visuals to share:

"Love is for the brave. Everything else is Barilla pasta."
(It's a play on Barbara Alberti's "Love is for the brave, everything else is torque")

The translated hashtag #boycottbarilla has since made the jump to global social media.

The back-pedalling has already begun. In an official statement from the company, Mr. Barilla issued this non-apology: “I’m sorry if my comments on La Zanzara have created misunderstanding or polemic, or if I’ve offended anyone. In the interview I only wanted to underline the central role of the woman in the family." They have also posted a statement on Facebook: "Barilla in its advertising has always chosen to represent the family because this is the symbol of hospitality and affection for everyone." (As if that doesn't just make things worse — same-sex partners don't make families?)

If the Barilla brand is going to take a hit over this, however, it's going to take more than that to make things right. Aurelio Mancuso, president of gay-rights group Equality Italia, told the Italian press,  "We accept his invitation to not eat his pasta."

Alessandro Zan, an MP with the left-wing SEL party, got a better one in:

"I've already changed pasta brands. Barilla is terrible quality."

Dio mio!