Dear Barilla CEO: An apology is no apology if it starts "I apologize if I offended...". You are not showing remorse for your words, just protecting your business

Guido Barilla told us how he really feels about gays and our human rights in the radio interview.

What follows is a lesson in how not to apologize to the LGBT community:

In reference to my statements yesterday to the press, I apologize if my words have offended some people.

For clarity I would like to point out that I have the deepest respect for all people, without distinction of any kind.

I have the utmost respect for homosexuals and freedom of expression. I also said, and repeat, that I have respect for marriages between people of the same sex.

Barilla in its advertising has always chosen to represent the family because this is the symbol of hospitality and love for everyone.

-- Guido Barilla

Bless his heart: Dmitry Chernyshenko, the organizing chief of the Sochi Olympics, is upset that the protests by gays are ruining his games and wants the IOC to stop them

This news report confirms that the tactics of LGBT activists are working.  From Towleroad:  

Dmitry Chernyshenko, the organizing chief of the Sochi Games, begged the International Olympic Commitee to do something about all the building outrage over Russia's anti-gay laws, concerned about the fallout possible demonstrations would cause, the AP reports:

“It’s very important to have your support to stop this campaign and this speculation regarding this issue," Chernyshenko said at an assembly of members of the IOC.

Marketing commission chairman Gerhard Heibergadded: "Especially the American sponsors are afraid what could happen. This could ruin a lot for all of us." 

Reuters adds that Chernyshenko claimed that the law banning "gay propaganda" does not affect gays. And because Putin recently gave an award to a gay person, Russia respects homosexuals. 

"The constitution of the Russian Federation guarantees equality of rights for everybody in the country. It explicitly prohibits any form of discrimination," he told the IOC session... 

"We make this clear. This law recently passed does not prohibit homosexuality directly or indirectly. It does not contradict elements of the Olympic Charter. It will not stop 2014 proudly upholding the Olympic values," Chernyshenko said. 

"The law will have no impact for any guest visitor. Whether athletes or just fans or members of Olympic family, everybody is welcome to enjoy the fantastic Games."

Chernyshenko said Putin had awarded "the highest Russian order" to a homosexual recently. "This is a greatest example of diversity of our country. It's important to have your (IOC) support in this campaign."

This scene will become more common: anti-gay politicians being called "bigots" by protesters, as Santorum was in New Hampshire yesterday

Very quickly, homophobia is joinining racism, sexism, and religion persecution as something you can not do in polite society. Anti-gay Christians are going to claim that they are being persecuted, but the truth is that they are being called out now, for the first time, on their hatred. They do not like this anymore than racist whites felt in the 1950's and 1960's. While I personally draw the line in using the word "bigot" to describe another person, I am okay referring to Santorium's bigoted views or bigoted behavior.

Not just for the gays, bigotry is alive & well in America

In the U.S., gays are not the only people feared and discriminated against:

It is incredibly sad that one person with his own one-man hate group can tap into anti-Muslim sentiment and lead reputable companies to make foolish judgment calls. At least two advertisers — Lowe’s, the home-improvement retailer, and Kayak.com, the online travel firm — have pulled commercials from “All-American Muslim,” a new reality series on the TLC cable channel, since the show was condemned by David Caton, an anti-Muslim and anti-gay activist, and the shell organization he founded and runs, the Florida Family Association.[snip] Both Lowes and Kayak deny that they were moved to act by Mr. Caton’s campaign, citing instead the show’s controversial nature and, in Kayak’s case, reservations about its quality. 'All-American Muslim' may not be the best TV show, but the controversy was manufactured by one man. By appearing to bow to bigotry, the companies earned a self-inflicted black eye.

--New York Times editorial

America has a lot of tolerance for all sorts of extreme Christian groups but mention the word "Muslim" and Americans tend to stop thinking and default to fear.

GOP crowd boos a gay soldier serving in Iraq & cheers Santorum's promise to reimpose DADT. Very sad

Rick Santorum in denial of his bigoted behavior