If Thursday Was Typical in West Des Moines, No One's Dumping Starbucks

The National Organization for Marriage’s international “Dump Starbucks” boycott over the coffee’ chain’s support of same-sex marriage was so low key in three of Starbucks’ West Des Moines stores that many customers stopping in for their midday latte hadn’t heard of it.

Amanda Zylstra, a shift manager from Des Moines working at the Starbucks Coffee at 2800 University Ave., said there was no noticeable difference in traffic.

“Just because we don’t discriminate, why should people want to 'dump Starbucks' or boycott us?” Zylstra, 22, said. “If we discriminated against same-sex marriage, we might as well discriminate for being Irish or black.”

Ditto, said Amanda Dittmer, 25, a barista at the Starbucks in Jordan Creek Mall. If customers Thursday were offended by Starbucks’ support of marriage equality, “we weren’t hearing any of that.”

Do you think boycotts are effective against companies that adopt statements of inclusivity? Will you stop patronizing the Seattle-based coffee chain because of its support of marriage equality?

The Indianola resident said she has two close relatives who are gay, an aunt and an uncle, and both are involved in long-term monogamous same-sex relationships.

“It just isn’t an issue,” she said. “It doesn’t bother me at all.”

Starbucks Declared Support for Washington State Legislation

Starbucks declared its support for same-sex marriage during Washington state's marriage equality push in January in a memorandum to its international partners in which it said the legislation was consistent with the coffee chain’s culture of equality and inclusivity.

"This important legislation is aligned with Starbucks business practices and upholds our belief in the equal treatment of partners," Kalen Holmes, Starbucks' Executive Vice President, said in a statement to the Seattle Times. "We are deeply dedicated to embracing diversity and treating one another with respect and dignity, and remain committed to providing an inclusive, supportive and safe work environment for all of our partners."

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In a letter announcing the Dump Starbucks campaign, Brian S. Brown, executive director of the NOM Education Fund, equated the statement to a “corporate-wide position that marriage between one man and one woman should be eliminated and that same-sex marriage should become the norm.”

“As such, Starbucks has declared it will use its influence and resources in a culture war against at least half of its U.S. customers, and against the vast majority of its international customers who do not share Starbucks’ position,” Brown wrote.

Carol Heflin, 52, of West Des Moines, who was reading a book at the Barnes & Noble Booksellers’ Starbucks in Jordan Creek Town Center, laughed at the characterization, calling it a “blatant mischaracterization” of Starbucks’ intent.

Heflin said that though she personally believes marriage should be between one man and one woman, she’s a “live and let live kind of person" and Starbucks' support of the Washington legislation and its culture of inclusivity won't deter her from enjoying a caramel machioto once a week.

“There are bigger things to worry about in this country,” she said.

Derek Dowell of Des Moines, who stopped into the mall’s Starbucks with his wife, Maria, echoed that sentiment.

“I just think those people don’t have enough to do,” he said. “There are a lot of other things to worry about – the economy and jobs, for example.”

Prayer Wasn’t for Starbucks Corporate Soul

At the 2800 University Ave. store, two women who identified themselves only as Lori Ann and Darlene were deep in meditation, tears spilling down their cheeks as they whispered their prayers for one another.

As it turns out, they weren’t praying for Starbucks’ corporate soul. In fact, Lori Ann said, she eschews labels that categorize people based on their sexual orientation, race, economic circumstances,

“We don’t want to judge,” Darlene said “Everyone is on a journey.”

Barista: Culture of Inclusivity is “What I Love About this Company”

Zylstra, the barista at the University Avenue Starbucks, said the company’s culture of inclusivity is “what I love about this company.”

“They help out farmers in Africa, they believe in Fair Trade and are just a very giving company,” she said. “As an employee I am proud to be a part of it.

“Everybody has a right to be happy,” she continued, “and they should not have to worry about what other people think about them.”

The Dump Starbucks campaign was announced by NOM two days after opponents to same-sex marriage in Iowa, legalized in the Iowa Supreme Court’s 2009 ruling in Varnum v. Brien, stormed the Capitol and targeted retiring Democratic senators who could tip the balance in a closely divided Senate and allow Iowans to vote on a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage, IowaPolitics.com’s Lynn Campbell reported.

Turning back the clock on rights “is difficult to justify,” Derek Dowell said.

“We don’t need a constitutional amendment to take away the rights that the Supreme Court has already said is afforded to all individuals,” he said.