gay rights

Head of Italian pasta fambiz sparks outrage with anti-gay comments

September 27, 2013

A fourth-gen Italian pasta mogul has sparked controversy by saying his family business would never feature a gay family in its marketing campaigns, causing gay rights activists to call for a boycott of the brand.

Guido Barilla, chairman of the eponymous family business, told Italian radio station Radio 24: “I would never do [an advert] with a homosexual family, not for lack of respect but because we don’t agree with them. Ours is a classic family where the woman plays a fundamental role.”

Mormon family's hotel chain sponsors 2014 Gay Games

August 16, 2013

Hotel chain Marriott International, owned by the eponymous Mormon family, has signed up as an official sponsor of the 2014 Gay Games in Ohio, US – despite the fact the family’s religion considers homosexual relations a sin.

The Renaissance Hotel in downtown Cleveland, part of the Marriott portfolio, will act as the host hotel throughout the event – due to take place next August.

The hotel chain has previously experienced a boycott from the LGBT community, due to its association with the Mormon religion.