NEWS: World’s Largest Pasta Firm In Hot Water ‘Won’t Include Gay In Our Ads’

<p>Barilla, one of the world's largest pasta makers is facing a boycott today after its Chairman, Guido Barilla, said it would never use a gay couple in any of its adverts.</p> <p>by Newsdesk | 27th September 2013</p><p></p><p> </p><p><img src="http://www.thegayuk.com/communities/8/004/009/928/388/images/4599253941.jpg" width="459" height="306" alt="Pasta" title="Pasta"/></p> <p></p><p>The company which was founded in 1827 and reportedly made €3.9b in revenues in 2010 has come under fire today after its chairman Guido Barilla, gave an interview to La Zanzara Radio24. </p><p></p><p>He was answering a question regarding the lack of gay families in the company's advertising. He suggested that gay couples would never been used saying, </p><p></p><p>' Our family is a traditional family,' he added that he,</p><p></p><p>'wouldn't do an ad with a homosexual family not because I disrespect gays - they have their right to do whatever they want without disturbing others - but because I don't think like them and I think that the family we try to address is anyway a classic family'.</p><p></p><p>Barilla then went on to suggest that if gay people didn't like the company's value, they could 'eat another brand'.</p><p></p><p><a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-24287108">The BBC</a> are reporting that the gay rights group Equality Italia have called Barilla's comments 'offensive provocation' adding,</p><p></p><p>'We accept the invitation from the Barilla owner to not eat his pasta'.</p><p></p><p>To read the full translation <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barilla_Group#Controversy">click here</a></p><p></p><p>Aurelio Mancuso of Equality Italia urged for a boycott of the company's pasta, sauces and other snacks.</p><p></p><p>On Thursday the company's press department released a statement called: 'Guido Barilla's Clarification on gays'.</p><p></p><p>The statement reads, </p><p></p><p>'With reference to remarks made yesterday to an Italian radio program, I apologize if my words have generated controversy or misunderstanding, or if they hurt someone’s sensitivity'.</p><p></p><p></p><p>'Boycott Barilla' became a trending topic around the world yesterday as thousands of users took to Twitter to complain about Barilla's comments. </p><p></p><p>One Twitter user wrote @RonGunzburger wrote, </p><p></p><p>'Count me in for the #boycottbarilla! Lots of pasta brands out there. I don't need to buy from an anti-gay bigot.'</p><p></p><p></p><p>None of the UK's big four supermarket's stock Barilla's pasta.</p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p> </p>