26.7.03

GayMiddleEast.com news

 

 

Last summer (2002) reports reached us from Lebanon regarding an anti-gay policy of the management of the local Dunkin Donuts.  These reports were substantiated by articles from the Daily Star (the Lebanese newspaper in English) and the Lebanese Executive Economic magazine.  After a short period of quiet, the reports started coming back to us.

 

The Lebanese Executive Economic magazine reported as follows:  "Dunkin' Donuts apparently has an unofficial policy: The well-known chain has  reportedly decided to refuse serving "gay-looking" people. Monica A. Smith, an American expat residing in Beirut, was appalled when her gay friend was turned away from the donut store and she wrote a letter of complaint to Dunkin' Donuts management. "On Monday, June 17, at 10pm, I  walked into the downtown Dunkin' Donuts with my friend only to be immediately refused service by an employee who asked us to leave. The employee said that my friend looked too effeminate to be served," the letter reads. This was only one of many cases where 'gay-looking' people were denied service at Dunkin' Donuts. Christine Assouad Sfeir, general manager of Dunkin' Donuts Lebanon, stresses  that this is not an instance of discrimination against gay people. "

 

GayMiddleEast.com has kept you up to date with the anti gay stand of Beirut's Dunkin Donuts. 

Lately, members of the Lebanese community started a petition in which they clearly explain the situation.

As Dunkin Donuts is an American owned business, one of the forthright members of the Lebanese GLBT community wrote a letter to the Dunkin Donuts head office in the USA.  After all, who else would defend human and civil rights faster than the Americans. Who else would demand that the human and civil rights afforded to Americans would be granted to clients of an American owned business.  Or so he thought.  From the infuriating reply he recieved, it is clear that the American Dunkin Donuts offices could not care less about how their franchises are operated overseas. And doesn't their "have a great day" just tell it all! :

 

 

"Thank you for recent email regarding one of our Dunkin' Donuts stores in 
Lebanon. 
  
Dunkin' Donuts shops in Lebanon are locally owned and operated by the 
licensee who is a respected  Lebanese citizen and business person and an involved member of the Beirut community.  We have forwarded your email to the licensee so she is aware of your concern. 
  
Dunkin' Donuts licensees and franchisees are active members of their communities worldwide where our goal is to serve all our customers. 

We are proud of the diversity of our 
licensees, franchisees, and customers around the world. 
    
 

Have a great day. 
   
Thank You, 
  
Corrie 
  
Consumer Care Associate 
  
  
Ref # 108697"

 

 

 

© GayMiddleEast.com

ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.