Starbucks and gays

This article explores the intersection of the gay community and a beloved social space. It offers insights into the shared experiences, community building, and social connections that occur in public spaces like Starbucks among gay individuals. It highlights the normality of gay people engaging in everyday activities. Workers at stores across the country have accused Starbucks managers of taking down flags and streamers, or otherwise preventing employees from decorating their stores in support of LGBTQ rights.

It was at Starbucks where first I realized I was queer and felt safe enough to come out of the closet. As a queer person who has worked at a Starbucks in Oklahoma City for the past five years, I helped organize a union at my store. Starbucks Odyssey is a new digital experience powered by 3 technology that will offer Starbucks Rewards members and Starbucks partners (employees) in the U.S. the opportunity. With so much controversy surrounding corporate support for the LGBTQIA2+ community over the past month, veteran Starbucks partners Xavier and Tammy are providing much-needed context about their daily realities and the issues they are processing before, during and long after Pride Month ends.

Starbucks uses the highest quality arabica coffee as the base for its espresso drinks. For years, we’ve offered benefits to partners in same-sex relationships, and our Workplace Gender Transition Guidelines support partners who are transgender or considering transitioning. Learn about our unique coffees and espresso drinks today. In late May, we were told by our manager that the Pride flag we had hung proudly in our cafe, along with other colorful decorations, would starbucks and gays longer be allowed.

For Starbucks, Pride Month is just one of the many ways we support and celebrate our LGBTQIA2+ partners and the community. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation recognized us as a top employer for LGBTQ+ workplace equality. Here in Oklahoma, we are no stranger to the escalating attacks not just on queer and trans people, but on abortion rights as well. The Human Rights Campaign Foundation recognized us as a top employer for LGBTQ+ workplace equality.

Workers from more than Starbucks locations, including the Seattle flagship store, will strike over the next week in protest of what the union says is the company’s “hypocritical treatment of. Workers at some organized Starbucks stores in the US are striking beginning Friday because what it claims is the “hypocritical treatment of LGBTQIA+ workers” and not being allowed to put up. Starbucks, while flaunting its progressive image by offering travel reimbursement to workers who need to access abortion services out of state, used it as a cynical union-busting ploy by denying that same benefit to workers at unionized stores I wrote about this previously here.

In the current rightwing backlash against our community, it is especially important for queer and trans workers to assert our power as a union, and continue to demand that our employers respect our rights. Workers at stores across the country have accused Starbucks managers of taking down flags and streamers, or otherwise preventing employees from decorating their stores in support of LGBTQ rights. For years, we’ve offered benefits to partners in same-sex relationships, and our Workplace Gender Transition Guidelines support partners who are transgender or considering transitioning.

Since I started working at Starbucks, I have been surrounded by a community of queer and trans workers. It was shocking to see that Starbucks would cave in to the transphobic and homophobic turmoil started by rightwing media, unless they could turn a profit from it. Explore the menu, sign up for Starbucks® Rewards, manage your gift card and more. For Starbucks, Pride Month is just one of the many ways we support and celebrate our LGBTQIA2+ partners and the community.

I spoke to over ten partners from across the country and they each gave differing accounts about why this change was being implemented. This includes not only decorating for Pride, but offering living wages, guaranteed hours, accessible healthcare, meaningful policies to address sexual harassment, and essential protections against all forms of discrimination. With so much controversy surrounding corporate support for the LGBTQIA2+ community over the past month, veteran Starbucks partners Xavier and Tammy are providing much-needed context about their daily realities and the issues they are processing before, during and long after Pride Month ends.

CCC - Starbucks Coffee Company CCC. Redirecting Loading. In a small concession after the media backlash, our district manager began to allow our Oklahoma City stores to decorate in two small corners during the last week of Pride month. Looking for a gaymer to play with. In Seattle, partners were told that the viral videos of district managers taking down flags were all fake, that they were imposters dressing up as managers.

For more than four decades, we’ve relied on our own partners to inform the commitments and actions we take as a company. Starbucks also reduced their trans healthcare benefits last November. This was nothing in comparison to how we were previously allowed to decorate the whole store with a large Starbucks and gays flag hanging behind our bar. Then I realized the company was still selling Starbucks branded Pride t-shirts and cups.

Queer and trans workers have always been at the forefront of labor movements, and we know that our labor rights and our right to exist freely are inseparable. He's a real catch. Now, I know how little protection I actually have as the threat of a homophobic and transphobic backlash increases and companies who once proudly stood by their queer workers have pulled back their support. I came across numerous, conflicting answers while looking to figure out why.

I stepped into the pulsing nightclub, not seeking anything serious, until my eyes met James's across the shimmering crowd, and in that instant, a quiet but profound knowing settled deep within me. It was an unexpected, powerful connection, making me realize how truly special a gay love story can be, a vibrant thread woven into the fabric of our diverse LGBT community. That chance encounter in the dim light blossomed into a soul-deep bond, proving that sometimes, the person you were always meant to find is waiting for you unexpectedly.

At first, I thought Starbucks was removing all Pride-related material. This is happening as other companies like Target and Budweiser face mounting pressure to distance themselves from vulnerable queer and trans communities due to anti-gay and anti-trans political attacks across the country. More than just great coffee. This company wants nothing more than to maintain control, and the presence of a unionized workforce means they need to share power.

Happy just being me - starbucks and gays

Grindr is a wild ride, no kidding. But in delaying contract bargaining, and enacting petty but significant acts of control, Starbucks is simply delaying the inevitable. Starbucks, after being presented with documented examples of employees having been told to remove Pride decorations, denied that this was happening. For more than four decades, we’ve relied on our own partners to inform the commitments and actions we take as a company.

This is all I ever wanted.