September 30, 2013 | Sex & Society

Pasta CEO in hot water over anti-gay remarks

Guido Barilla, the chairman of Barilla Pasta, stuck both feet in his mouth when he told an Italian radio show Thursday that the world’s largest pasta producer will never, not ever, feature gay couples in its advertisements.

“I would never do [a commercial] with a homosexual couple, not for lack of respect but because we don’t agree with them,” said Barilla (sounding, well, disrespectful). “Ours is a classic family where the woman plays a fundamental role. … If [gays] don’t like it, they can go eat another brand.”

Of course, the next day he was backpedalling, ever so slightly. He apologized if anyone had taken offense to what he said.

"I apologise if my words generated misunderstandings or arguments, or if they offended the sensibilities of some people," he said.

Competitor Bertolli Pasta took the opportunity to remind customers that it loves all people, and even included gay men in a TV spot 4 years ago.

Several people have created some humorous responses to Barilla's homophobia.

Barilla pasta baron’s anti-gay comment touches off boycott, apology [Toronto Star]

Pasta firm Barilla boycotted over 'classic family' remarks [The Guardian]