Starbucks Corporation(SEATTLE) — A rainbow flag was raised to the top of Starbucks’ headquarters in Seattle this week as the coffee giant continues to publicly support gay marriage and LGBT rights.
In a video posted on the company’s website, Starbucks Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Howard Schultz said he supported the Supreme Court’s decision on Friday to legalize same-sex marriage.
“Today’s Supreme Court ruling supporting marriage equality makes me proud to be an American,” said Schultz. “And especially proud of Starbucks legacy of advocating for equality and inclusion for all our partners for the last 44 years.”
The video accompanied a news release describing Starbucks’ history of advocating for the LGBT community, including covering transgender reassignment surgery in the company’s health benefits.
Critics have questioned the company’s public support for gay marriage, including in 2013 at the Starbucks Annual Meeting of Shareholders when one stockholder said the support had led to a loss of customers.
“Not every decision is an economic decision,” Schultz told the stockholder. “The lens in which we are making that decision is through the lens of our people.”
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