Truth Wins Out received the following e-mail from Larry Marchese, public relations representative for Blount Fine Foods of Fall River, Mass.
From: Larry Marchese
Sent: Monday, August 10, 2009 10:06 PM
To: Mike Airhart; Wayne BesenMike,
That is correct.
Larry
Sent from my handheld – please forgive typos
—–Original Message—–
From: Mike Airhart
Date: Mon, 10 Aug 2009 20:59:44
To: Larry Marchese, Wayne BesenDear Larry,
Thank you very much for your communication. Are you stating officially that Blount Fine Foods is no longer providing cash or goods to National Organization for Marriage or its affiliates for the event in Warwick on August 16?
Many thanks in advance for any definitive clarification.
–
Mike Airhart
Truth Wins Out
This is excellent news. It seems that Maggie Gallagher’s rally against gay couples and religious freedom in Warwick, R.I., on Aug. 16 will have to pay for much of its food, instead of receiving free food or services that would eventually be funded by the dollars of GLBT customers of the sponsors. Her anti-marriage organization continues to enjoy freedom of speech, and GLBT New Englanders can continue to eat at fabulous restaurants without worrying about whether their check will underwrite discrimination and prejudice against their own families.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Blount president and co-owner Todd Blount is active in several Christian associations: the Barrington Christian Academy, Barrington Baptist Church, Park Street Church, and LinkedIn’s Christian Business Leaders Network.
I hope that Mr. Blount and his company understand that people of faith can conscientiously disagree about sexuality and marriage. I hope that the company comes to realize that sponsorships which pit some customers against others — and which advance one religious doctrine by making other religious and civil doctrines illegal — are counterproductive.
Corporate, special-interest, and government money and services can sometimes corrupt the democratic process by diluting and suppressing the voices of the people. If corporations are going to sponsor causes at all, I believe they should support causes that advance charity, freedom and equality for all — not privileges for a few.
Please write to Blount Fine Foods at info@blountfinefoods.com and thank them for respecting religious diversity, civil marriage, and a policy of restraint toward culture warriors seeking free seafood.
Thanks Mike for letting me know (via e-mail at change.org) that Blount Fine Foods will no longer be supporting this event!
As a Christian, I’m glad Blount Fine Foods decided to do the right thing.
[...] Hortons and Blount Fine Foods were misled about the full purpose of NOM’s antigay rally in Warwick, R.I. on Aug. 16. When [...]
Any official word from Blount yet? Curious if they posted a statement on their site, or in any other more official manner confirmed their pullout.
Answered my own question and providing the answer for those here:
Added a new line to the previously released press release:
“Additionally, Blount notified the organizers of the Rhode Island event in question that the company would not be providing a donation, soup or otherwise.”
http://www.blountseafood.com/news/577-press-release-3