Both Chick-fil-A and Starbucks released statements about gay marriage. | AP Photo, Reuters Chick-fil-A critics to sip at Starbucks

To counter Mike Huckabee’s Chick-fil-A Day — which aimed to support the fast-food joint in the face of a barrage of criticism after its president made comments in opposition to same-sex marriage — gay rights activists are launching “National Marriage Equality Day” on Tuesday that will end up supporting one chain in particular: Starbucks.

Equally Wed, a lesbian and gay wedding magazine, is behind the Facebook campaign, which has more than 32,000 people committed to supporting its efforts to patronize “pro-equality companies and organizations.”


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The Los Angeles Times reports that “The event was originally called National Starbucks Appreciation Day in honor of the coffee giant, which recently threw its support behind efforts to make gay marriage legal. But several other holidays exist with the same name, including one created by gun rights groups.”

Starbucks is not involved in Equally Wed’s efforts, although the Facebook page reads: “But we have had direct communication with execs at corporate who expressed that the company wants other equality-minded companies such as Amazon.com and Nike to share in the appreciation and consumer support.”

“We are so happy that you are here with us to fight for marriage equality,” the event’s Facebook page reads. “Our original goal was to support Starbucks for being so supportive of our community and our rights. We specifically chose a brick-and-mortar chain to have visible support around the country on Tuesday, Aug. 7, 2012, in direct response to Mike Huckabee’s Chick-fil-A Day. … EquallyWed.com asks that you spend your money wisely on this day, and every day. It’s important to be an informed consumer. This expansion of focus is the result of the direct encouragement of Starbucks Corporate Headquarters who wanted other equality-minded companies and organizations to share in the appreciation.”

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Among the other organizations that Equally Wed identifies as supporting LGBT rights: Abercrombie & Fitch, Absolut Vodka, Amazon.com, Apple, Ben & Jerry’s, Best Buy, Delta, Disney, Ford, General Mills, Google, J.C. Penney, JPMorgan, Kenneth Cole, Kimberly-Clark, Kimpton Hotels, Levi-Strauss, Macy’s, Marshalls, Microsoft, Nike, Sears, Southwest Airlines, Target, Tiffany & Co., and T.J. Maxx.