Head of Barilla pasta company: Gays can eat someone else’s pasta

[Emit]

Last edited Thu Sep 26, 2013, 04:05 PM - Edit history (2)

This was posted in the LGBT group but I think it needs a broader DU audience.

No more Barilla pasta products for me!

Head of Barilla pasta company: Gays can eat someone else’s pasta

Guido Barilla, president of the family-owned Barilla pasta company, said in a radio interview on Wednesday that his company only supports “the traditional family” and that LGBT people “can go eat someone else’s pasta.” According to John Aravosis at Americablog, Barilla has since backtracked on his remarks somewhat, but many LGBT people around the world are reacting angrily to the slam by the head of the massive, global brand.

“We won’t include gays in our ads, because we like the traditional family,” Barilla told an interviewer. “If gays don’t like it, they can always eat another brand of pasta. Everyone is free to do what they want, provided it doesn’t bother anyone else.”

Barilla said today that he meant no ill will toward LGBT people with his remarks, saying in a statement, “With reference to statements made yesterday, I apologize if my words have generated controversy or misunderstanding, or if they have hurt the sensibilities of some people. In the interview I simply wanted to highlight the central role of the woman in the family.”

~snip~

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2013/09/26/head-of-barilla-pasta-company-gays-can-eat-someone-elses-pasta/


Edited to add contact info for anyone interested in letting Guido know how you feel:

Thanks, SoLeftIAmRight (loved typing that!) from post #110:

CONTACT NUMBER 800-922-7455 - Let them know how you feel.

Thanks, rrneck from post #39: Link to respond:

http://www.barillagroup.com/corporate/en/home/talk-to-barilla/azienda/form/untitled.html

Ha! They must be getting a lot of responses. That link is slow as molasses!

This might be a quicker link: http://www.barillagroup.com/corporate/en/home/talk-to-barilla.html

[joeybee12]

1. I love his explanation...he wasn't being homophobic...

He was simply being sexist!

[Emit]

2. ...

[SoLeftIAmRight]

110. CONTACT NUMBER 800-922-7455 - Let them know how you feel.

I called and they answered. Let them know how you feel.

[Emit]

134. Thanks, SoLeftIAmRight!

I added your contact number to the OP. Welcome to DU!

[SoLeftIAmRight]

156. I am not new here.

I was a very early member. I read the good post almost daily and have for more than a decade. This is my third account. I had my first account when there were only a few thousand members. I think there where 12,000 when I opened my second account. Hope I can keep my mouth shut when people say very stupid things over and over again. Now that the hot button issues are hidden, I think I might be around for a while.

[7962]

243. Ahh, banned for speaking your mind in the past? How dare you!

Odd how closed minded this forum can be when it supposed to be full of open minded people. Welcome "back". As long as you're not threatening or insulting anyone, I dont see why you should have to keep your mouth shut. This site shouldnt be like that, but sadly many times it is.

[randome]

7. Bwa-ha-ha! So true!

[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]

[cyberswede]

12. Right?

[nomorenomore08]

176. Which is why "traditional family values" are bullshit no matter how one tries to split hairs.

Because such a stance requires intolerance of any deviation from the "norm" - be that unambiguous heterosexuality, or rigid gender roles.

[AleksS]

265. Exactly. I'm sure we can expect Barilla ads to feature prominent lesbians though...

So, if this guy really "simply wanted to highlight the central role of the woman in the family,” I can assume he's moving towards an all lesbian commercial casting?

[joeybee12]

267. If one woman is "central" then two is doubly "central"

He HAS to approve of that!

[Bennyboy]

3. Yep, go back to Golden Grain....

it's only pasta........Idiot.

[Skinner]

4. This straight person is going to eat another brand of pasta, too.

I just bought a box of their pasta last week. I have bought it many times. No more.

[tk2kewl]

19. me too

don't usually buy Barilla, but i have on occasion in the past. no more.

[Capt. Obvious]

26. That's all we buy

Damn it! I like boycotts that are easy.

[bluestate10]

190. There are other pasta that you can buy. nt

[closeupready]

60. Thank you, Skinner.

[MADem]

61. Buy this....

http://www.dreamfieldsfoods.com/

Much, much better for you and tastes like the dried pasta commonly available in southern Italy.

Costs more but worth it.

[SheilaT]

67. Turns out the grocery store I normally shop in

has it.

Too bad they don't make more shapes, but they do make some that I use. I'll remember them the next time I'm shopping for pasta.

Oh, and I'm female. I was a traditional stay-at-home mom for 25 years (now divorced and live alone) who likes to cook and liked doing it for my family. Guess what? I have plenty of gay friends, a niece who's a lesbian, and get furious at any form of homophobia. I won't be buying Barilla again. Too bad, because I do like their tri-colored rotini.

You're entitled to dislike or not get along with specific individuals for whatever reason. But not to dismiss an entire category of people based on some classification.

[MADem]

81. You will be pleased, trust me.

I lived in Italy for seven years, and I'm picky!

Mueller's makes a tricolore rotini; my experience with their stuff is that you watch your time a bit more closely if a bit of 'bite' matters to you, but I'd wager their stuff is at least as good as Barilla's if not better...

http://www.muellerspasta.com/products/tri-color-rotini-mu

Ronzoni does too, so you will not have to do without:

http://www.foodfacts.com/NutritionFacts/Pasta-Rice-Other-Grains/Ronzoni-Tri-Color-Rotini-Pasta--No---oz/5109

I'll bet you could find an organic version somewhere, as well.

Barilla will learn they are not the only game in town. Screw them!

[Wait Wut]

119. Thanks for the advice!

I don't know if my store carries it, but I'll definitely look for it!

[LibGranny]

128. Click on the Dreamfields link provided and

you can enter your zip code and they'll give you the location of the nearest store!

[Wait Wut]

131. COOL!!!

Both Fry's and Safeway carry it!

[Bryn]

143. I love dreamfields!

[theHandpuppet]

164. Yes, it's very good -- we've tried it

I would recommend it also.

[ChazII]

222. This is the brand

recommended when we learned my father was a diabetic.

[MADem]

224. It will very much help his blood sugar.

Even for people who are not diabetic, if you tend to go into a "pasta coma" after a big tasty plate of pasta, this stuff will mitigate that enormously. It's very digestible, and to my palate, it tastes like good quality pasta from around the Vesuvius area.

It's a bit more expensive, but we've been using it for a couple of years now (we have a family member with diabetes) and it's become the go-to choice for us. I recommend it based on a lot of experience with the stuff. I haven't used their lasagna noodles; but I've tried out pretty much everything else. Even their elbows cook up good if you do mac-n-cheese for the young 'uns.

[kag]

231. Hmm. Thanks for the info.

I don't usually buy Barilla, but my family does eat a LOT of pasta. I'm going to look for this brand next time I shop. Always on the lookout for good pasta .

[ChazII]

250. Like you, we have not tried

the lasagna noodles but have used their other projects. I also recommend it to anyone for it low glycimic (sp) level. We have been using it for several years as well.

[Beausoir]

268. Dreamfields is great pasta!

It can really be a godsend for diabetics and it tastes just like "regular" pasta.

Rumor has it they are going to start making potato products too. Makes sense since they started in North Dakota.

[MADem]

270. North Dakota, you say? So there's the "Buy American" aspect as well!

I didn't even think of that, but it's a grand point!

I will say I'm picky, and lived for many years in Italy, and I don't suffer "bad" pasta. Dreamfields is amazingly good--it reminds me of a local pasta I used to buy that was made from wheat grown near Mount Vesuvius.

[Liberal_in_LA]

114. plus one

[Wait Wut]

117. Ditto.

I always bought Barilla. I guess I'll have to try some other brands.

[bunnies]

152. +1

They'll never get another cent from me.

[anneboleyn]

189. This straight person (and spouse) agree!

[OnionPatch]

230. Yep. No more Barilla for this family, either.

[stonecutter357]

246. I am in.

How to make Pasta from scratch in 5 minutes

[Spitfire of ATJ]

269. That looks like my good old Atlas Marcato pasta machine....

If you guys are going to do this, make sure you have something to hang your pasta from.

[lapislzi]

5. Dear LBGT family and friends,

Spaghetti dinner at my house featuring PRINCE spaghetti. All welcome.

[Warpy]

6. The premium price didn't reflect any increase in quality

so even if I could eat wheat now, Guido lost me a long time ago.

The generic stuff was always just fine.

[Enrique]

8. wow that will turn out to be an expensive attitude

gay people will eat someone else's pasta. He has no clue how many people that is.

[MADem]

68. Not just gay people, either--you don't have to be gay to reject that kind of bigoted shit. nt

[Control-Z]

175. This straight girl will boycott.

I use Barilla Angel Hair because it is one of the few brands that doesn't get mushy. I will now happily eat mushy Angel Hair.

[MADem]

185. Dreamfields makes an expensive but superb cappelini.

Depending on where you live or if you hit a sale, it can run from a buck eighty to two fifty (two seventy five in Highway Robbery shops). The added advantage is that there is a lower glycemic index associated with the product--great for your diabetic family members, or anyone who doesn't care for the post-pasta coma.

Try it, I think you will be pleased.

[CoffeeCat]

219. This heterosexual female agrees!

Barilla pasta will not be anywhere near my stove or colander! I'm married, was a stay-at-home mom for 13 years and I'm outraged because this is a civil-rights issue.

I'm sick and tired of these bigots spouting off. And he thinks that he can correct it by saying that he didn't mean to offend anyone, but he's just for traditional marriage.

OK buddy. I'm for traditional marriage too. I'm in one now, thank you very much. But that doesn't mean that you have the right to be offended by other people's marriages. You have absolutely NO RIGHT to be offended by who another person loves--any more than you have the right to be offended by what color someone's skin, hair or eyes are.

The nerve of these people. Someday, they'll be embarrassed and ashamed of themselves. Until they see the light, we can make sure they don't sell as much pasta!

[AlinPA]

286. Yep. Our one box just went into the trash. We WILL eat other brands.

[Wait Wut]

125. You just made me chuckle.

An old (gay) friend of mine was quite the cook, but ALL he could cook was pasta! He'd have frequent dinner parties and we'd all ask the same thing, "Let me guess, we're having pasta."

He did try to make a roast once. We told him to stick to pasta.

Crap. Now I'm sad. Lost him about 5 years ago. He never bought store bought, though. Made his own.

Damnit.

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

9. "I simply wanted to highlight the central role of the woman in the family.” So wouldn't a family

with 2 women be even wholesome-er according to his idiotic attempt at logic?

[cynzke]

70. Gee....

Where did all those gays come from?

[Guy Whitey Corngood]

77. Satan? nt

[pitbullgirl1965]

10. No more Barilla for me.

My favorite pasta brand but no more. I will willing pay more for DeCecco now.
I am planning to call them up and let them know why I'm not buying anymore.
Also, since I'm not a "traditional family", being a single woman with no kids, I don't count.

[RebelOne]

84. I only buy Barilla occasionly, but I guess it will now be never. n/t

[Autumn]

11. So can this old straight woman

Fuck their pasta. Their products in my cabinet just went into the trash.

[randome]

15. Or donate it to an abuse center then send the company an email.

Telling them what you really think of a woman's 'traditional' place in the family.
[hr][font color="blue"][center]Treat your body like a machine. Your mind like a castle.[/center][/font][hr]

[Autumn]

21. No I will not donate it. My chickens love their pasta, I will not cook it

and feed it to them. Yes I do plan on contacting them.

[cui bono]

32. It's already paid for though. Throwing it away rather than giving it to the needy or your chickens

doesn't affect the company. If you give it to your chickens no one will see the label either.

[Autumn]

41. The boxes are open. It's the principle of the matter.

I think that as a woman of the family, my central role is to take a stand against bigotry. My neighbors, a wonderful Lesbian couple who call me Mom gave me my Silkies as a gift. My girls all deserve better.

[cui bono]

50. I know what you mean. Since it's carbs I won't press the point.

If it were something nutritious, I might still ask you to reconsider.

[closeupready]

59. That's what I was going to say, it's basically junk food.

Pasta is - unless it's made from whole wheat or spinach, etc.

[Autumn]

99. I buy their whole grain pastas and the veggie one.

Tomorrow I will go shopping and find another brand.

[derby378]

166. Understood - besides, pasta (even Barilla's) is biodegradable

If it wasn't, I have a feeling our tummies would be in a heap of trouble right now.

[HappyMe]

13. No Barilla pasta for us.

What an asshat.

[Puzzledtraveller]

14. Well, the head line made me crack up.

But I have no issue not buying Barilla products. Consider it done.

[Wait Wut]

127. It caught me off guard.

I seriously thought it was going to be about sharing dinner at a restaurant or sumthin'.

[JustAnotherGen]

16. So glad my husband

Makes it from scratch for us. . .

[frazzled]

17. This straight woman will stop buying Barilla

I've got plenty of other choices of Italian-made pastas out there.

[Borchkins]

18. I've never bought Barilla. . .

and I won't ever.
B

[uppityperson]

20. "I'm a sexist"? And wtf is "hurt the sensibilities of some people"? Idiot.

[surrealAmerican]

22. Well, I guess it's back to Racconto for me.

What an idiotic thing to say.

[MineralMan]

23. OK, Guido. But, this straight guy's not going to buy your pasta, either.

I have many other brands from which to choose, so you lose.

[Salviati]

58. Nor this one

Fuck that guy.

[Skittles]

24. so can I

[dmr]

25. He apologizes because he realizes he hurt his business.

Though we've given up most carbs, we do like a plate of pasta now and then.

It will not be Barilla.

Shame on him.

[Phentex]

38. Yes. You gotta love when they express what they really feel and then...

somebody in the company rakes them over for damaging the bottom line.

What an idiot!

[wickerwoman]

46. A pretty non-apology apology too

The old standards about "I'm sorry you misunderstood me" and "I'm sorry you're oversensitive and your feelings got hurt".

Sadly I've never really bought Barilla because it's identical to generic pasta, but I'm happy to continue not buying his product.

[bluestate10]

192. Exactly, his "apology" was shit. nt

[cui bono]

27. Does this guy think only LGBT are going to be offended by his bigotry? n/t

[kcr]

28. I'm not buying their products either

I'd switched spaghetti because their whole wheat pasta is gross. But they have other products, so I'll be sure to avoid them.

[polichick]

29. Looks like this straight chick and her family...

will be eating someone else's pasta too.

[Jefferson23]

30. What an idiot..uh, there are so many pasta's on the market. He stands a good chance

of hurting his business. I for one, will let him know I'll never buy his brand again.

He should have realized how easy it is for anyone who supports equality to pick
another brand of pasta from the shelf.

A dope as well as a bigot.


K&R

[City Lights]

31. Arrivederci, Barilla! nt

[MADem]

72. Or 'Vai via, stronzo!'

...which loosely translates to 'Take a hike, asshole!'

[AngryAmish]

33. I've been a Barilla man for many years.

What are the alternatives? Creamette sucks. Locally there is pasta fresh I guess but I don't want to drive over there every week. It is good, tho...

[Le Taz Hot]

37. Make your own.

Cheap and easy.

[AngryAmish]

40. You are on to something there

But time does press sometimes.

[Le Taz Hot]

57. Here's the recipe:

Egg Pasta

5 large eggs
6 Tbsp COLD water
3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour (wheat flour works just as well)
1/2 tsp salt

(This is actually easier if you have a stand mixer like a Kitchenaid but if not, hand-kneading works just fine.)

1. Place eggs, water, flour and salt in mixing bowl
2. If using a mixer, attach flat beater, turn to speed 2 and mix 30 seconds. If no mixer, just mix by hand until well blended.
3. Mixer: Exchange flat beater with dough hook, turn to speed 2 and knead 2 minutes. By hand: knead about 10 minutes.
(Extra step when using mixer: Remove dough from bowl and knead by hand another two minutes.)
4. Cover with moistened towel and let dough rest for 15 minutes.
5. Divide dough into 4 pieces. Process through pasta roller. Use setting 3-4 for egg noodles, 4-5 for lasagna, fettuccini, spaghetti and ravioli, 6-7 for tortellini, thin fettuccini or linguini fini and 8 for any type of angel hair pasta.
6. Finally send through applicable pasta cutter (fettuccini, linguini, spaghetti, etc.)
7. From here you can cook all of it at one time in boiling water. This only cooks for maybe a minute or two as you're not reconstituting it from dry. If you don't want to cook it up all at once, you can place it into individual "piles" and freeze them in zip locks.

Yes, it takes some time but, like anything else, but this recipe makes a LOT so you can just freeze the extra so you can use it for quick meals when you're in a hurry.

[ieoeja]

80. Do you cook, freeze, reheat? Freeze, thaw, cook? Or freeze and toss it in still frozen to cook?

I make egg noodles from scratch. But as we all know, it is time consuming, so I keep some store brought stuff around and cheat half the time.

I've thought about the freezing, but wasn't sure the procedure. I did try freezing it once, without first cooking it, and it pretty much turned back into a blob as everything stuck together. I suppose I could have rekneaded and recut it. I guess that is a 4th option I hadn't considered.


I got online one Monday after a weekend off and saw there was a mini-emergency in my family over the weekend. We were having our first family get together after my mom died, and nobody knew how she made her noodles. Everyone assumed my sister would have known, but she was never all that interested in cooking. So I rode to the rescue.

Of course, I didn't learn it from my mom either as she refused to teach a son. She did teach my now ex-wife who ended up teaching me (mostly after the divorce).

I definitely got my Liberalism from my Dad.

[Le Taz Hot]

86. I do it a couple of different ways.

The first way is that I cook the pasta up first, then prepare portions complete with meatballs and sauce -- sorta like a TV dinner, then freeze. When I go to use it I just nuke it.

But if you just want to freeze the pasta itself, I make little singe-serving "nests" with the uncooked pasta, then place those in small zip locks. When I'm ready to use them, I remove the pasta nest from the zip lock and put it in boiling water. Never really had the gooey problem you describe. Maybe the secret is in boiling small amounts.

[nilram]

154. sprinkle them with rice flour, liberally (of course)

It keeps them from sticking together.

You can also lay them on a clean sheet and dry them and they'll keep for a few weeks.

[DeschutesRiver]

262. Thank you, thank you, thank you...

My dh makes the pasta without our kitchen aide mixer, but i wanted to try it with a mixer so now i will today!

And to hell with Mr. Traditional Family only Barillo dude. I realize I can't control what these miscreants think, but it was completely unnecessary for him to say this out loud. Going out of one's way to be hurtful is sick. Hope their sales freaking tank and stay down.

[MADem]

89. Dreamfields.

DeCecco (much better... if you insist on imported pasta).

http://www.dececcousa.com/


Barilla is not good pasta--it's all marketing. I ate in Italian homes for many years (and watched, and learned, and sometimes 'hepped'--like the Hamburger Helper kids) and I never saw Barilla on the menu. Not once! And I did see dried pastas on most nights, and Barilla was available in the markets.

It's just not the best stuff over there.

[sendero]

181. I think you mean.

..... the Shake and Bake kids

Just one more company on my no-buy list.

[MADem]

187. Yeah, that's them!

We never got that crap, so I tend to get them mixed up!



That said, when I was "hepping" I was usually the one who went out to the garden to get 'sapore' (onion, a carrot, some celery, some oregano) and I was trusted with a knife to do some chopping. I also went down to the cellar to get wine (from massive vats)--which I sipped as a quality control measure-- and gave encouragement too!

I can cook pretty much any of the summer "famiglia" recipes that are popular in southern Italy as a consequence, though--I kept my eye (and those onions) peeled!

[Renew Deal]

111. Ronzoni

Or fresh pasta from Italian grocers and some other places

[msanthrope]

197. Ronzoni, San Gorgio was what this Sicilian girl ate growing up. And Trader Joe's brand ain't bad.nt

[Le Taz Hot]

34. Dumb shits.

There are a LOT of competitors out there that aren't homophobic jerks. I prefer making my own pasta anyway. Screw these assbites.

[Brigid]

102. Any tips for first-timers?

I want to give it a try.

[Le Taz Hot]

141. See post 57 above.

Time consuming but it makes a lot and it's VERY cheap.

[msanthrope]

35. Well Guido, this straight woman in a central role of her family isn't buying your product anymore.

And that's too bad--because you make my kid's favorite shape--Fiori.

[Sheldon Cooper]

36. So he's bigoted AND sexist?

Way to go, Guido! This straight woman just bought her last box of your pasta. There are dozens of other brands on the market, and they all taste just about the same to me, so not only are you bigoted and sexist, you're also really STUPID! Arrevaderci, asshole.

[rrneck]

39. Shucks, and I like their pasta.

My message to Barilla:

I have enjoyed your excellent pasta for years. Your fine product and a bit of pesto along with a salad have been my standard evening meal for a long time. Unfortunately, in light of the recent remarks made by Guido Barilla regarding who is and who is not welcome to consume your product, I will have to choose another brand.

Link to respond:

http://www.barillagroup.com/corporate/en/home/talk-to-barilla/azienda/form/untitled.html

[Iggo]

88. Done.

"I don't buy from homophobic bigots.

In the future, please remember: 'I apologize IF..." is not an apology. It's an insult.

Enjoy your shrinking bottom line, geniuses."

[rrneck]

98. Thank you. nt

[Aerows]

215. Here's mine

"I have exclusively bought Barilla pasta in the past. In the future, due to your CEO's sexism and bigotry against gay people, I will exclusively choose to NOT buy it or anything else you produce.

"I apologize if" isn't an apology, and adding in a heaping helping of sexism in your non-apology is not only insensitive, it is stupid. I've bought the last Barilla product I ever will, and your CEO is toxic to your brand."

[Emit]

136. Thanks, rrneck!

I added this contact info to the OP.

[theHandpuppet]

167. Done! Thanks for the link.

Barilla will soon find out that being an asshole bigot is not good for business.

[UtahLib]

42. I hope his bigotry proves to be very expensive. n/t

[Stuart G]

76. It will be...very very expensive...nt.

[RiffRandell]

43. I named their sauce Shitilla years ago as I thought it sucked but did buy their pasta.

Not anymore. My husband is working from home today and he helps with the grocery shopping so I told him about this and he agreed saying another company banned....and honestly what constitutes a traditional family these days?

This asshole needs to be time-warped into Pleasantville.

[upaloopa]

44. The woman in the family? My sister-in-law and her partner

who just got engaged after 26 years together are raising her partner's grandchild. They both are women in the family.

[KansDem]

45. "We won’t include gays in our ads, because we like the traditional family"

[Autumn Colors]

47. Screw them

Well, there are no LGBT people in this family, but there will be no more Barilla products in this house (and we had bought their pasta and sauce in the past when it was on sale).

[penultimate]

48. I'm not gay, but I will be eating someone else's pasta too.

[Mr Dixon]

49. SMH

i Guess i can add them to my do not buy list

[bullwinkle428]

51. I regularly purchased their pasta for years for my carbonara, but not anymore.

I hope they eventually realize their stupidity.

[azurnoir]

52. No more Barrilla anything here

IMO it was overpriced anyway

[BlueToTheBone]

53. No more Barilla pasta for me!

What a jerk.

[Dawson Leery]

54. I agree with him. We have the right to buy another brand, and will do so.

[closeupready]

55. Will do, Mr. Barilla. And I'll send what I have right back to you!

Enjoy! K&R

[bluestate10]

194. Throw it into the trash like I did. nt

[MADem]

56. Barilla is like Walmart pasta in Italy--it's crap.

Coma inducing shit.

DiCecco is better if you are married to imported pasta.

The best pasta going, in terms of the glycemic index, is a product called DREAMFIELDS. http://www.dreamfieldsfoods.com/

It is expensive as hell, cooks up like you're in Naples, and is better for diabetics. Their selection is limited (you're not going to find some of the more unusual shapes), but what they have--spaghetti, linguini, cappelini, penne, rotini and a few others--is damned good.

Screw Barilla...they're all ads, and nothing to write home about in terms of either taste OR quality.

The fact that they are bigoted shits is just one MORE reason to avoid them.

[LittleGirl]

257. do they have gluten free pasta? n/t

[MADem]

273. No. There's still gluten in it.

What this pasta does is lower that "coma" that some tend to get as a consequence of a starchy meal.

If you're a celiac or gluten sensitive, probably the best (closest) substitute is a rapidly cooked rice noodle. I think a lot of those other ones, like the spelt and so forth, don't hold up very well. I'd prepare the sauce in a wok (talk about cross culture! Hey, Marco Polo did it, why not?), do the quick dip of the rice noodles in boiling water, and then finish them off quickly in the sauce--with a thinner sauce working better than a thick one.

[LittleGirl]

278. I have been buying Trader Joe's rice pasta

and it's pretty good. The other night, I used a brand I think I got at Fry's and it was horrible. Back to the Trader Joe's stuff which was 1.99 anyway. We've had to drop gluten in this house because of me but Hubby misses it sometimes. Thanks for the reply.

[MADem]

279. I would suggest that you head to an Asian grocer and check out the fare there...

In bigger supermarkets you can find some brands in the "foreign food" aisle--Thai Kitchen, Annie Chun's, etc--they make a broad, flat noodle that if you don't overcook it will work for linguine recipes beautifully.



http://www.drvita.com/p-7539-Annie-Chun's-Gluten-Free-Pad-Thai-Rice-Noodles-Original--8-oz.aspx?catargetid=1920411439&cadevice={device}&gclid=CNHWveqi7LkCFQue4AodzUIApg

Read labels carefully though because the Japanese, for example, also make a wheat noodle--but they do also make some superb rice noodles that I think are better than the "substitute" brands that are sold to celiacs. I'd say it's a trial and error thing. I've been dealing with some of this on occasion because some of my family--the come-and-go bunch, not the ordinarily resident crowd, thank heaven--have decided that they have "wheat belly" and are doing the diet modification thing (some will slip if they see something they really like, though, so it's not like they're full-bore very sensitive celiacs).

As I said, the trick, I think, is down to "finishing" the cooking of the noodle IN the sauce--Italians do this as well, but I rarely see an American preparing pasta this way. Tongs or one of those food claws is the perfect way to get the clumps of pasta into the sauce, swish it round till it's cooked in, and boom--on the plate with a bit more on top and off ya go.

Italian sauce is generally thinner, too (one trick I've seen Italians living in USA use as a shortcut is using vegetable juice -- like V8, but supermart brands will work just fine -- to 'lean out' their sauces with good 'sapore' -- much better than just watering them down, though they do use the water that the pasta is cooked in, too --something that Americans just throw away). I can't abide a thick sauce anymore, so I think they may have a point!!

[LittleGirl]

280. Thanks for the tips.

I am not a celiac but react to gluten and dairy and have been dairy free (mostly) for 30 yrs. I have hashimoto's which is a thyroid issue and every bit of research states to go gluten free. I have since April and wow, I lost 10 stubborn pounds that I've been trying to lose for 5 yrs. I want to lose 10 more too! No more wheat belly!

I don't know if we have any asian grocers here in Tucson but I know fry's has a foreign food aisle. Reading labels is important because of the cross contamination that occurs in plants that use wheat products.

My grandmother (and grandfather from Italy) used to make noodles and I would eat that stuff up. Oh man, I miss those meals. Grandma made the best meatless sauce ever. I've always put my noodles in the sauce too.

[MADem]

281. I have heard about the link with Hashimoto's.

Good for you that you're doing well!

Tucson is a big enough place, I'll bet you'll find a grocer! Look at the google-they list a pile of 'em!!! https://www.google.com/#q=tucson+az+asian+grocery+stores

I'll bet one of those will have what you need....maybe you could do a little online digging ahead of your trek! Try out a few different brands, and when you find one you love, stock up!

[LittleGirl]

282. Yup!

We've been here less than a year so we're still finding new things to smile about! thanks.

[brooklynite]

62. Traditional Marriage: A man -- a woman -- and a Mistress

[Zorra]

63. Bigots lack awareness, honesty, and integrity, and I stay away from them, and any enterprise

they engage in.

Why would I deal with someone who demonstrates a fundamental lack of morality, honesty, and integrity? It's a no-brainer.

I will not knowingly purchase, eat, or drink, any item, food, or beverage produced or prepared by bigots of any kind.

[cui bono]

64. I pretty much eat quinoa now instead of pasta.

Pasta is basically empty calories, where as quinoa is full of protein. One of my staples at home is quinoa with veggies, black olives, tomatoes a feta cheese with a pesto sauce on it. Yum!

[KansDem]

65. Barilla products...

[KamaAina]

272. You left one out

[Lucinda]

291. LOL

[Pretzel_Warrior]

66. Good!! because their pasta is garbage. Go eat Garafalo from Costco--you won't regret

the change!! I love spaghetti, linguini, etc. and having eaten a lot of pasta in Italy while I was there, I can say this pasta is the closest to the fresh high quality you get there.

Screw Barilla!!

[Blue_In_AK]

199. You're right, that Garofalo is good.

I just recently had some. I wish you could buy it in smaller quantities, though.

[Warren Stupidity]

69. Barilla now off our grocery list.

Lots of choices in pasta, no need to support a bigot.

[gollygee]

71. Wow

No more of that brand pasta for me.

[progressoid]

73. "Everyone is free to do what they want"

Actually Guido, some people aren't free to do what they want. As a straight person, I get a lot more options than a gay person.

But we all are free to choose to eat somebody else's pasta.

[The CCC]

74. Head of Barilla pasta company: Gays can eat someone else’s pasta

I like their pasta, but that certainly was stupid thing to say. Why any business would deliberately lower their consumer base is beyond me. There is an old saying that needs to be learned: "Sometimes it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool. Than it is to speak and remove all doubt.".

[JHB]

75. Arrivederci, Guido. This straight guy will be eating someone else's pasta too.

I'm in NYC, so plenty of fresh pasta around here. And for dry, there's plenty of other choices.

[Brigid]

97. Fresh pasta in NYC? Sounds yummy.

I visited there only once, decades ago. But if I ever get back there, I gotta try Lombardi's. Saw it on the History Channel. Coal-fired pizza ovens, old-world recipes, fresh ingredients -- you really can't get that here.

[JHB]

242. I'll just take it as an occasion to go exploring...

Where is the best stuff to be had, how do the smaller-sized brands compare, etc.

I don't actually have pasta that often, so I figure by the time I'm done Barilla will have had plenty of time to come around... or it will just be an occasion for another round of exploring.

[Sissyk]

78. K&R

Well, I can also eat another brand of pasta.

"...if they have hurt the sensibilities of some people."

Some people? Surely he doesn't feel that is an apology.

[Donald Ian Rankin]

79. Can and should, as should the rest of us. N.T.

[coldmountain]

82. They think there aren't that many LGBT people but forget about their family and friends

I'll cut back on my Barilla purchases and tell others.

[laundry_queen]

158. Exactly.

I've never bought Barilla and I certainly never will now. I'll let my LGBT daughter know to tell her friends.

[MNBrewer]

83. Here's the facebook page for Barilla US

https://www.facebook.com/BarillaUS

[Moonwalk]

85. Thanks for this thread! Not only do I want to boycott them for what they said, but....

I've learned so much about pasta

As for me, I sometimes bought their pasta, but honestly, I never tasted or noticed that they were any better or worse than any other options, generic store brand included. So boycotting them is easy for me. What a stupid thing to say. With all those pastas out there, doesn't this guy even *think* about the bottom line? The customer is king and you don't alienate customers.

If you can't do that, don't give interviews.

[xchrom]

87. easily done. nt

[iwillalwayswonderwhy]

90. Well guess what Barilla?

You just talked this non-gay woman into eating someone else's pasta, too.

[krispos42]

91. How is Ronzoni? Has their management shoved a foot in their mouth recently?

n/t

[RosieS57]

96. Nope!

And you can believe they won't go reactionary any time soon. It is also very good for boxed pasta.

Regards from Rosie

[etherealtruth]

92. I am thinking intelligent open minded folk "can" eat someone elses pasta , as well

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

115. That's exactly what I'm thinking! Plenty of other brands out there.

[etherealtruth]

170. Great minds think alike

[TeamPooka]

93. Mr Barilla will get what he asked for.

[Bonhomme Richard]

94. Translation. "This is how I really feel but I will.......

still like to take your money."

[louslobbs]

95. No problem Guido and thanks for the heads up, until this very moment we didn't know

about the bigotry and homophobia that your company espouses......just crossed another brand off our shopping list and will encourage others to do the same. You see, we don't like giving our money to companies that are run by people who despise us simply for who we were born to be. We'll just put Barilla on the Koch suckers list......thanks again for outing yourself for what you are and helping us to be better informed consumers. Hugs and kisses.
Lou

[DevonRex]

100. Oh thank GOD!! A product I can actually BOYCOTT!! That's my favorite brand. Dammit.

So now I can't buy it but FANTASTIC because I can STOP buying something from a bigot. Until now, I hadn't had the opportunity. We don't eat fast food so couldn't boycott that chick filet asshole.

[OriginalGeek]

209. I know what you mean

so often I see these dumb shits say something I don't want to support but it's from a company/product that I already don't use so it's no great sacrifice or even a big deal if I don't use their service or product/

But I like Barilla pasta. Thanks, Guido Barilla and fuck your noodles. Never in my house again.

[Blue Idaho]

101. To hell with that bigoted asshole.

You don't have to be gay to fight this kind of corporate bullying. I hope chokes on that pasta cuz no one in my house is ever buying it again.

[HockeyMom]

103. As the mother of Italian hertiage AND a Gay Daughter,

thank you very much for your bigoted statements. I will not buy your pasta from now on. Hello? Be prepared for families, friends, and supporters of gays, to NOT buy your products. Oh, get a clue. It will not JUST be gays not buying for products.

I will also pass this on to my relatives and friends, btw.

[HockeyMom]

132. My pantry of Barilla pasta is all in the trash now

Spaghetti, rigatoni, rotelle, and ziti. I will buy a PASTA MACHINE before I ever buy Barilla again.

Edit. My Italian Nana made all her own pasta. If she can, Barilla, so can I.

[bluestate10]

196. That is what I did with mine. I won't buy any more. nt

[LoisB]

104. Gosh darn it!!! I have so many Barilla pasta products. What a moron.

[Aristus]

105. "I apologize IF..." So typical of these people.

Go stuff your pasta, fuckhead. I'm never eating it again. And I'm straight!

Did you think it would just be gay people you pissed off?

Hope you lose millions, and then die alone and forgotten...

[silvershadow]

106. Thank you. I think I will. nt

[AZ Mike]

107. Off to the dustbin with Barilla....

....just like Hobby Lobby and Chik-fil-A.

This non-gay won't give my money to a company like this.

[Hulk]

108. On my "no buy list".

Easy way to deal with racists, sexists, teabaggers....simply quite supporting their products. I'm DONE with ANY establishment that cuts hours to avoid their responsibity with the Affordable Care Act. We need to unite and boycott the cheap bastards. We also need to expose these sick sons of bitches. No more Barilla products in my house....never.

[Renew Deal]

109. People should be thanking Guido Barilla

He puts his hatred out there for everyone to see. Most people want the money.

[AtheistCrusader]

112. Guess what, some straight people are going to eat someone else's pasta too.

I used to buy their shit. Not anymore. Brand identity is now toxic.

[Tien1985]

113. Well then, he can fuck right off.

I've bought Barilla often because it's the brand I can easily find whole grain varieties in.

Speaking as a gay man with a family, I really wouldn't have given two shits if they never showed a gay family in a commercial, but with comments like that he can keep his pasta and we'll find a different brand.

[d_r]

116. I buy whatevers on sale

but it won't be barilla anymore.

[johnp3907]

118. Dang!

I my job I buy about 100 pounds of pasta a week, and I have to buy Barilla.

[FarPoint]

120. This was my go to brand of dry pasta.

After this obnoxious statement ...I will never use it again. I cook pasta 3 times a week on the average. I do make fresh pasta as well. Looks like I will be making a lot more fresh pasta now.

[Dark n Stormy Knight]

121. Comments submitted to their website:

We used to buy your products quite regularly. No more.

Mr. Barilla's sexist, homophobic remarks were totally unacceptable. Any group of people who consider themselves a family are a family. It is not Mr. Barilla's place to judge.

Arrivederci, Barilla products.

Submitted in the name of "Mr. and Mrs. MyHusband'sFirstName", just to fuck with them.

[wryter2000]

122. "It doesn't bother anyone else"

It bothers me a whole hell of a lot that people continue to have that kind of attitude in this day and age.

I usually don't buy their pasta because the store brand is cheaper and just as good. I for sure won't buy any now.

Enough of this crap.

[yesphan]

123. "Everyone is free to do what they want, provided it doesn’t bother anyone else.”

"Everyone is free to do what they want, provided it doesn’t bother anyone else.”
Well my not so good friend, you're free to say what you want, but your comments "bother" me.
I won't be eating your pasta henceforth.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

124. Barilla controls multiple other brands incl WASA flatbread.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barilla_Group

It controls Barilla (multinational pasta maker), Mulino Bianco, Pavesi, Voiello, Alixir and Academia Barilla (Italy), Wasabröd (Sweden), Misko (Greece), Filiz (Turkey), Yemina and Vesta (Mexico) trademarks.

It produces several kinds of pasta and it is the world's leading pasta maker with 40-45% of the Italian market and 25% of the US market.[1] It produces pasta in over 120 shapes and sizes. Barilla brand pasta is sold in numerous restaurants worldwide, such as those belonging to the Pastamania chain.[2] It is also the leading seller of bakery products in Italy. Through its acquisition of the Swedish company Wasa, it is the world's leading producer of flatbread (a Scandinavian staple), selling 60,000 tons annually.[3]

[Kolesar]

137. Edit the Wikipedia page and put some DU wisdom in there

"The founder is a real ****-****."

[Sherman A1]

126. My email to Barilla

Gentlemen:
I am rather disturbed by the recent comments of your President. While Mr. Guido Barilla is certainly entitled to his opinion, I likewise am entitled to mine in the choice of products that enter my home. You may rest assured that Barilla products will not be among those doing so in the future.
Most Sincerely,

[GoCubsGo]

129. Spaghetti squash is in season. Yum!

Much better for you.

Thanks for the heads-up. They also make sauces, BTW. Won't be buying Barilla products any more.

[applegrove]

130. And liberals can eat someone elses‘

pasta, and the extended families can eat someone elses‘ pasta and urban grocery stores can stock someone elses‘ pasta and on and on.

[1monster]

133. I buy Ronzoni any way...

[BeeBee]

135. OK, I will eat someone else's pasta. n/t

[Paper Roses]

138. After this comment, no more Barrilla for me.

Plenty of other options.

[DissidentVoice]

139. Ah, well, there's other kinds of pasta to buy!

Guido Barilla fails on an essential point of economics: money spent is money spent regardless of the orientation/race/religion/whatever of the person spending it.

He has now potentially alienated a large set of the populace - LGBT people, their families, friends and supporters - and he could find that it may well make a significant difference to his bottom line once word gets around.

A smart businessperson would know that alienating ANYONE who may spend money on your product is not a good idea.

[Aviation Pro]

140. Really?

Bet you a dollar that that demographic knows how to make their own homemade version and would as soon as eat boxed cardboard as they would eat rat poison.

Go fuck yourself and your non-apology, you fucking walking wad of phlegm.

[judesedit]

142. As much as I've always enjoyed Barilla products, I will no longer buy them. I support no bigotry.

They can take someone else's hard earned money.

[obama2terms]

144. Luckly I usually stick to Kroger brand because I'm cheap

But I did have one box I bought on sale of the penne noodles, and down the garbage they have gone!I'm spending my hard earned money elsewhere.

[Playinghardball]

145. I've never eaten their products and further more....

[Starry Messenger]

146. I think Hulu has been running an ad for their dinner mix.

I'll figure out how to contact their ad dept. too.

[IVoteDFL]

147. I'll never buy from them again but can I send back what I have and ask for a refund?

Is that allowed ever? If not I'll donate them to the food shelf. I've bought their noodles for years and this feels like such a slap in the face. In fact I have 5-6 boxes that I bought on sale for under $1 I don't want them anymore and it bothers me that I've already spent so much money on this company. I struggle to figure out where I fall on the "spectrum", but they wont have any of my business ever again.

[LeftinOH]

148. Switching to Newman's Own here. n/t

[rivegauche]

149. WHAT THE HELL???? I love their products.

Damn him!! I've bought Barilla pasta and sauce exclusively for years and years. DAMN IT. I refuse to support homophobes so I guess those days are over. Why do some people have to be such bigoted a-holes.

[JBoy]

150. His words were "al dente". They bit him in the ass. n/t

[Vashta Nerada]

151. No more Barilla for me.

[windsormich19454]

153. I used to buy their pasta every week. No more.

They won't get another dime from this straight man. Prejudiced jerks.

[matt819]

155. Just sent this

I just read of your president's idiotic comments about gay people.

I have been a long-time buyer of Barilla products, pasta and sauces. I couldn't quantify the amounts, but I eat a lot of pastas. There are choices in the market, and I have now decided to choose something other than Barilla. It's a shame, really, because I like the product and considered your marketing efforts in the US impressive. All of this undone by your president's offensive, bigoted remarks.


Comment: This moron might think he's just dismissing the "gay market." I'm not gay, and millions of others like me support gay rights, gay marriage, etc., etc., and he's written off (bitten off) far more than he expected.

[Arkana]

157. Welp, guess it's back to Prince pasta for me.

[shireen]

159. I really like Barilla

But if it's the official pasta of homophobes, i'm not touching it.

Any other recommendations?

Edited to add: never mind, i saw the recommendations for other brands. Thanks!

[theHandpuppet]

168. Dreamfields

Others here have recommended it and I would, too.

[bunnies]

160. Heres a great pic of thier newest product:

[Swede Atlanta]

161. I responded to this off their corporate site with the following points....

(1) A company spokesman's personal views, when expressed publicly affect not only the spokesman but also any other owners, company leadership and management, customers, distributors, consumers and employees. Even in the context of a privately owned company consideration has to be given to the public expression of personal views and the impact they may have on all the company's stakeholders

(2) The LGBT community is broadly represented among restauranteurs, chefs, restaurant staff, food critics, etc. These individuals will not respond favorably to his comments. Their response may not be helpful to the company's overall interests of being a profitable enterprise

(3) His statement that he cannot support or he even opposes adoption by gay parents because the adopted child has no say is ludicrous. I pointed out that children adopted into the homes of child abusers, pedophiles, alcoholics, fat Italians, etc. have no choice. The question is whether or not a child deserves a loving, supportive home, regardless of the personal characteristics of the parent(s).

(4) I have trashed 2 boxes of Barilla pasta and will boycott. I will not interfere with their business by attaching stickers, etc. to the Barilla shelves at my grocery store but I plan to write a letter both to the store managers of my two local usual grocers, Kroger and Publix as well as to their executive offices

I don't expect a response but I will not be purchasing any more products until, when and if, there is any kind of formal apology AND some form of penance such as sponsoring a deserving LGBT event or project

[bullwinkle428]

162. This is awesome - I've never seen DU this unified on ANYTHING before!

[theHandpuppet]

163. Note to self: No more Barilla in this home

And I regularly bought that brand. Well they can go FUCK OFF now because they just lost a good customer.

[dembotoz]

165. guess my consumption of this brand is now in the PASTa

sorry
sometimes the puns just have to come out
and no i will no longer buy their products

[Gemini Cat]

169. I rarely buy pasta, but when I have I've never paid attention to the brand.

They all taste alike to me. However, from now on I'll pay attention. Thanks for posting this!

[murielm99]

171. If gays can eat someone else's pasta,

so can I.

[HarveyDarkey]

172. Cut 'em some slack, they did come out with a new product

[IVoteDFL]

173. Petition from GLAAD for grocery store to drop Barilla

Just going to leave the link here if anyone wants to sign

http://www.glaad.org/barilla

[Phentex]

186. Thanks for the link...

we need to write to every store that sells it and ask them to stop.

[2theleft]

174. Best facebook comment so far...

My favorite recipe this season? Bigotoni

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

177. Straight people can eat someone else's pasta, too.

And starting now, I will.

[WinkyDink]

178. I'm not throwing mine away, but it will be DeCecco's henceforth.

[Squinch]

179. I called and told them this straight person won't be buying any more pasta from someone who

insults gay people.

I threw in something about their troglodyte views of women's role in the family, too.

Had to leave a message because "all the operators are busy."

It was fun.

[stevenleser]

180. ... and the horse he rode in on. No more Barilla products in my home. nt

[Phentex]

182. Costco sells it, too...

time to write to any of the stores that sell it.

[myrna minx]

183. This straight lass won't be buying any Barilla either.

What a jerk.

[MadrasT]

184. Fuck him and his bigotry

It *was* my favorite store-bought pasta.

I'll go back to making my own.

[bluestate10]

188. I am a heterosexual and a former barilla pasta buyer. The barilla pasta on my counter

went into the trash today. No barilla pasta will be used in my home again until the chairman is out and has no influence in that company, even if he is part of ownership.

[Spirochete]

191. So can the rest of the world

hopefully.

[RedCappedBandit]

193. I will no longer be buying Barilla.

Neither will my Italian mother.

Nor my Italian grandmother.


And we all know how much fucking pasta italian grandmothers go through.

My response on their website:

“We won’t include gays in our ads, because we like the traditional family,” Barilla told an interviewer. “If gays don’t like it, they can always eat another brand of pasta. Everyone is free to do what they want, provided it doesn’t bother anyone else.”

Well, you're absolutely right. I am free to do what I want. I refuse to support these bigoted, hateful statements. My family will no longer be purchasing Barilla products.

"..provided it doesn't bother anyone else." Wow. That's fucking ironic.

[Blue_In_AK]

195. No more Barilla for me,

and that's a shame because I like it. What an a...hole.

[LaydeeBug]

198. Man! The San Georgio Commercial practically writes itself...

Big ole Italian Grandmother Serving up a huge plate of pasta to a HUEEUUUUUUUUUUUGE extended family including gays, different ethnicities, everyone laughing and happy and free flowing wine, everyone kissing Grandma on the cheek, hugging Grandpop, arriving with flowers, etc...

"San Georgio. Because everyone at the table deserves unconditional love. From our family, to yours"

[Dawson Leery]

202. +1

[idwiyo]

200. I wouldn't eat their shitty pasta even if they pay me to do it.

[shenmue]

201. Well that just tears it

I'm getting something else, then. Might as well find a good brand at the health store. It'll taste better and I won't be helping a jerk.

[DonCoquixote]

203. In a world where every merchant competes for pennies

Why, oh why would you risk isolating any customer?

[JEFF9K]

204. Barilla's bottom line will let them know how we feel.

[backscatter712]

205. Dear Barilla: Be careful what you ask for...

You just might get it!

[bhikkhu]

206. Thanks for the heads up, and one more product I'll have no trouble avoiding

The thing these guys don't realize sometimes is that its a permanent avoidance, and I'll probably tell ten people, who will probably tell ten people, and so forth.

Apologies and so forth may be forthcoming from the company, but who has time to keep track? There's plenty of other untainted pasta in the stores. They'd have to do something pretty impressively positive to earn this customer back.

[Kennah]

207. If you do FaceBook, tell them how you feel.

https://www.facebook.com/BarillaUS

[KentuckyWoman]

208. Guido ain't gonna be eating any Barilla pasta any time soon either.

That foot he jammed in his mouth will be in the way.

Idiot.......

Eventually we'll breed these people out of the gene pool but until then about all we can do is shake our head in disbelief and take our business elsewhere.

[LWolf]

210. Okay. Good to know.

I'm not gay, and as far as I know, I've never eaten any Barilla pasta. I'll be sure to pass the message on, though, and make sure nobody I know eats it, either.

[Ilsa]

211. No more Barilla for me. nt

[Gravitycollapse]

213. I called the company and got a message of a woman reading Guido's apology.

They can both kiss my ass.

[aikoaiko]

216. What a strange homophobic meltdown.

Asshat.

[dionysus]

217. thanks Guido, you douche.. we have a barilla plant nearby that employs a lot of people

[Iggo]

252. And that's the thing.

When the bottom line goes south, it's the little guys who suffer.

He just fucked those people huge.

[CoffeeCat]

218. He'll lose a ton of business...

...because you just can't make statements like these without profound consequences. Too many people are enlightened today and we aren't putting up with bullshit bigotry like this from billionaires.

Barilla just gave people a reason NOT to buy their pasta. You can bet Barilla is clamoring for market share. They spend millions on expensive televisions ads and I see their coupons in the Sunday newspapers. Their marketing people work night and day trying to grab more market share.

Well now they've gone and done it. They've just offended at least 30 percent of the general population (I'm taking into account that 30 percent are bigots/Republicans and 40 percent will be unaware of the bigoted comments).

This could really affect their marketshare.

I'm a middle-aged, married, heterosexual mom from the suburbs, but I support equality and my gay and lesbian brothers and sisters. Barilla can suck it. I won't be buying their pasta anytime soon.

They're obviously trying to walk back their statements. I'm sure their PR department is working overtime to repair damage. These elitist scumbags think they can spout off their hatred, and then say "so sorry" when they realize their bottom line is affected. Thanks for letting us know what you really are, Barilla Pasta.

[lonestarnot]

220. I'm not gay, but I will never eat their shit again, if, in fact I ever did.

[donheld]

221. I think the man's going to have to do that Ad after all.

If he wants to save his business he'll have to do it to make up for his stupid statement.

[steve2470]

223. never have used Barilla and never will now, asshat nt

[eridani]

225. I left a response at the 2nd link

The 800 number diverts you to a "sincere" message from the CEO, at least Friday 12:30 PDT.

[nilram]

226. Wow, I can't believe I wrote this...

Ok, I think I write good sometimes... This is what I sent to their web site, fully attributed with my name, email address, and even snail-mail address...


I can only agree with Mr. Guido Barilla in his statement "Barilla in its advertising has always chosen to represent the family because this is the symbol of hospitality and affection for everyone." Yes, I agree, FAMILY is the symbol of hospitality and affection for everyone. However, FAMILY, for me, is much broader than a mother- or woman-centered association of individuals with shared DNA. For me, FAMILY consists of individuals chosen from LOVE. Truly, LOVE makes a FAMILY.

I hope that Mr. Guido Barilla can AFFIRM that LOVE makes a FAMILY. Until such time, I will choose OTHER products that are NOT manufactured by BARILLA.

[nilram]

295. Barilla's reply

At Barilla, we consider it our mission to treat our consumers and partners as our neighbors – with love and respect – and to deliver the very best products possible. We take this responsibility seriously and consider it a core part of who we are as a family-owned company.

We are working hard to learn from this experience, and appreciate you taking the time to share your comments and valuable feedback.

Sincerely,

Barilla

Case # 165147

[emsimon33]

227. This is not a "gay" issue or a "straight" issue. It is a human issue,

it is an issue of sensitivity and dignity. How dare the head of Barilla pasta company show such meaness and disregard for other human beings!!!!!

I am so glad that you posted information as to where and how we can register our disgust!

[sakabatou]

228. Alrighty

No more Barilla.

[Iggo]

251. It's as if he doesn't know how easy it is to switch pasta brands and never look back.

It's fucking pasta!

[ReRe]

229. One more for the boycott list...

... "no ill will", of course. I'll never understand "businesses" who are supposed to care only about their bottom line, yet publicly voice discrimination to one group or another.

[SmittynMo]

232. F**** em. I'll never buy Barilla ever again.

And I'm straight. People like this need to be hit in their pocket books for publicizing their ignorant, racist remarks.

When will people learn? If he would have kept his mouth shut, he wouldn't be losing millions this will cost him.

[ebbie15644]

233. and I hope their friends and family do to!

[mountain grammy]

234. Well, Guido, you just lost this customer..

I don't care what these whacky CEO's believe, that's their choice. It's when they use their position to promote their homophobic views of the world that I object. Can't they just count their riches and STFU!? They make a product, people buy it, all kinds of people. Must they also rule the world with their hateful agenda.

One of my favorite brands no longer welcome in my home. I have several LBGT friends and sometimes they come for dinner.

[Agschmid]

238. The LGBTQ community (me) demands you rethink your post.

Did you read what you wrote?

[Agschmid]

240. There is bullying behavior within every community...

Why does my community rub you the wrong way?

Can you link to where we demanded that commercials represent us? In fact isn't it the straight community (think Ellen and JCPenney) that demanded commercials NOT be about gay people?

By the way how is the library today?

[JBoy]

241. It was a fucking radio interview.

If you'd read the OP, you would have seen that in, like, the first line.

Why the fuck would you make up some strawman about "bullying by the gay community"? Sounds like you're inventing a way to excuse his comment.

[yellowcanine]

236. "Barilla said today that he meant no ill will toward LGBT people with his remarks..." Riiiiight.

Go (have sexual intercourse) with yourself, Guido. And I mean no ill will toward bigoted pasta company presidents with that statement.

[fadedrose]

237. Won't eat it . .

but in all fairness, I didn't like Barilla before this..

And noodles in general is another topic - why are they all lower in quality than they used to be - the flour or what? I used to LOVE noodles but now prefer rice.

Go ahead, Barilla, lose more business..

[proReality]

247. GMO garbage in the flour

Try couscous, you'll like it better than rice. Buy imported, from a country that doesn't allow GMOs.

[fadedrose]

249. More details?

Is there a brand name, how's it sold and what is it? Looked it up in the dictionary and it's a wheat...does it taste something like the wheat we used to have in our breads, rolls, noodles, and what-not?

How and where do you get yours?

Thanks

[Iwillnevergiveup]

244. The thing about fake apologists

is they think no one else sees through them.

Another straight woman boycotting Guido.

[proReality]

245. This "traditional family"

with it's gay cousins and one gay grandchild will be boycotting their brand.

[kentauros]

248. I wonder how many gays have ACTED in their ads

without them knowing about it...

And what would that knowledge do to Guido's head?

[Kablooie]

253. The right wing headline for this story:

" Barilla Pasta defies media: speaks for children's rights."

Talk about twisting the news.
(Though I've seen our side push similar distortions too so whatcha gonna do?)

[appleannie1]

254. Lesbians are women. Was he highlighting them and their role in the family?

[MNBrewer]

255. Ad from a competitor supposedly released 11 hours after Guido stepped in it

[Doctor_J]

256. So can we breeders

ass hole

[Emit]

258. 12 Best Responses To Barilla’s ‘I Would Not Do A Commercial With A Homosexual Family’

After the chairman of Barilla pasta — a $5.25 billion international corporation — said he would never show a gay family in his advertising — and if gay people don’t like it the can go eat someone else’s pasta, the world went to work.

Many other pasta companies released marketing to show support for the LGBT community (and grab some business!) and the spoofers went to work.

We scoured the internets to find the best responses — here they are.

~snip~



~snip~



~snip~

Cont'd: http://thenewcivilrightsmovement.com/12-best-responses-to-barillas-i-would-not-do-a-commercial-with-a-homosexual-family/news/2013/09/27/75805

[MNBrewer]

271. Garofalo is quite good, and is carried at Costco

My Costco only has spaghetti, sadly, as I prefer other shapes.

[Lucinda]

292. Loved this!

Thankie.

[grandpamike1]

259. Service

is temporarily down. I wonder why ?

[Fumesucker]

260. K&R

[SaveOurDemocracy]

263. Barilla pasta has now joined Papa John's and Chick-fil-A on the list of...

...'Do Not Purchase' for my 'traditional' family.

[RosieS57]

277. Hilarious commercial

http://www.takepart.com/article/2013/09/26/guido-barilla-says-pasta-ads-wont-include-gays-decoder

<smirk>

Regards from Rosie

[tarheelsunc]

264. " In the interview I simply wanted to highlight the central role of the woman in the family."

So he at least supports lesbian relationships, right?

[abelenkpe]

266. Why would someone say something so ugly and insulting

and risk alienating so many customers? Did this guy build his family business? Does he not understand it's not wise to alienate customers?

I have bought barilla pasta in the past, but never again. Hopefully he will learn an important lesson and sales will diminish.

[Iggo]

274. Lives in a bubble.

[mnhtnbb]

288. Why would someone say something so ugly and insulting? He's an a$$hole?

[Luminous Animal]

275. I talked to my corner store guy and he's not going to caryy Barilla anymore.

Good for him.

[dgibby]

276. So can straights.

I know I won't be buying his products. BTW, the company has a FB page if anyone's interested.

[drynberg]

283. I just sent Guido a FB message:

"You have lost a loyal customer due to your bigoted remarks, you blew it and so did your corporation. FIN."

[ColesCountyDem]

284. Just tossed my box of their vermicelli into the garbage can.

Ciao, asshole!

[Agony]

285. No more Wasa bread either! the whole of BarillaGroup is gonna feel this one!

http://www.barillagroup.com/corporate/en/home/cosafacciamo/brand.html

it is going to take a LOT more than this mealy mouthed crap---> http://www.barillagroup.com/corporate/en/home/media/company-news/the-companys-position-on-chairman-guido-barillas-remarks.html

[dionysus]

289. they make wasa? nooooooooooo

[Agony]

293. i know right? Sorry...

the true hurts sometimes... RyVita and KAvli it is then!

[mnhtnbb]

287. Guess what Barilla? Gays have mothers/fathers/brothers/sisters/aunts/uncles

who won't feel the need to buy your pasta.

[blkmusclmachine]

290. Classic nopology.

"...sorry if you were offended..."

[Emit]

294. Why the Barilla Boycott Matters to Italian LGBT People

You might think that this is just another Chick-fil-A case in which LGBT activism becomes a simplistic decision about being for or against a corporation, as J. Bryan Lowder argued here yesterday. But there is more to this story: Since the controversy started in Italy and involves an Italian company, it’s really about the state of LGBT life in my home country. (...)

~snip~

To understand this response, you need to understand the larger state of gay rights in the country; this campaign is not only about the comments themselves. Regardless of what statistics say about the state of homophobia in Italy, there is a general feeling of exasperation among LGBT people there. Just a few days ago, the Parliament decided to respond to a rise in homophobic violence in the last years with an anti-homophobia law, but LGBT activists called it “useless” since it protects anti-gay speech within political, cultural and religious groups. The debate accompanying the law has been characterized by homophobic remarks from members of various political parties who continually spoke of a “right not to like gays” in terms of freedom of speech. So, when Guido Barilla shared his bigoted opinions, his comments became a casus belli to talk about how far the normalization of public homophobia can go.

But the real power of this boycotting campaign is that it has spread over the Italian borders due to the smart use of social media to attract wider European and international attention. While Guido Barilla might have naively thought he was merely in line with “the spirit of the times” in homophobic Italy, his comments sound even more misplaced in Barilla’s global market where many countries have laws that protect gay families. (...)

Now, if you are concerned that your boycott of Barilla in the U.S. or elsewhere won’t have any effect, be assured that Italian politicians are already paying attention. During a political discussion in the Italian Parliament on the "Barilla case" yesterday, an MP from the Lega Party decided to provoke two openly gay MPs with a fennel bulb (finocchio is the Italian slang for “faggot”) and to try to physically assault one of them. I know this scene might sound surreal, but it is indicative of the state of affairs in Italy. In such a charged context, even a simple public boycott becomes a very political gesture.

In the end, this Barilla campaign is not really about the potentially minor impact of boycotting—it’s about the possibility of protesting itself. And it’s about how an invisible minority of LGBT people is finally finding a way to speak for itself to a national and international audience. In a country where there are very few public intellectuals speaking for the LGBT community (and many scared just to come out), this feels grass-roots, this feels fresh. Even if it fades quickly, at least it gave us a chance to talk about the terrible situation of the gay people in Italy—and for that, the campaign deserves your respect.

http://www.slate.com/blogs/outward/2013/09/27/barilla_pasta_boycott_in_italy_italian_lgbt_life_and_homophobia.html