I noticed at www.goodasyou.org that a manager in New York City put up the following poster:
It was taken down on Sunday.
Pretty amazing isn’t it? It sounds like this manager, Tom Marquez, has quite the problem with gay people. This poster reminded me first of the "No Blacks" posters, or the "No Irish Need Apply" posters. It could have easily said:
This store does not believe in Black and White marriages. Any black and white activity, which includes kissing, hugging, touching, or anything else that would make our customers feel uncomfortable is prohibited in the store.
Tom Marquez, Rite Aid Managment [sic]
You see, the message is the same–only the words are the same. Would the black and white poster be allowed up? Nope. My guess is that Mr. Marquez is going to be in a bit of hot water over this one.
And here is what Queerty has to say:
"And, just for your reference, here are Rite Aid’s corporate numbers and the number for Mr. Marquez’s location: 212-727-3720. Do with that what you will…"
If you do call or email, the store is at Sixth Avenue at West 13th Street and the zip code is 10011.
Kevin's Space 
What a db…. I\’m curious as to what Rite Aid\’s response is/will be….
Hi Keri!
I\’m curious too. I sent them an email and also sent an email to the Board of Directors. I\’ll post if I hear anything.
That\’s absolutely amazing. To think that someone in high standing as he is to resort to old fashioned and bigoted behavior is just repulsive. This definitely should be treated as if it were racism. Oddly enough, I just stopped using Rite Aid as my pharmacy and switched elsewhere. I didn\’t know about this.
Hi Deb,
I haven\’t checked up on this story in the past couple of hours, but as of late this morning it wasn\’t clear what the true story was about this. I guess we\’l hear soon if Rite Aid makes a statement.
Rite Aid was pretty much the only pharmacy in my small hometown – good thing there\’s none that I know of here!
If you can, switch to gay-friendly Walgreens. Just about every one around here has tons of GLBT employees.
I wrote a strongly worded message to Rite Aid on their website yesterday, fully expecting no response or an automated BS letter. What I got was this:Let me assure you that were taking this matter very seriously. These signs absolutely do not represent the view of Rite Aid nor the associate identified. One of our core values is to be a place where all customers and associates are treated with respect and dignity, where they feel appreciated and welcome.We are conducting an investigation regarding this matter as our findings show that these signs were not posted by any current Rite Aid associates as indicated. As soon as the signs were noticed, they were immediately removed.We\’ve notified the local authorities on this act of vandalism and are offering our full support and cooperation so that the individuals responsible for this act of intolerance can be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.CoreyCustomer Support
Hey Mike,
I hate to tell you this, but here is the email I got back after writing Rite Aid:
Kevin, Let me assure you that were taking this matter very seriously. These signsabsolutely do not represent the view of Rite Aid nor the associateidentified. One of our core values is to be a place where all customers andassociates are treated with respect and dignity, where they feel appreciatedand welcome.We are conducting an investigation regarding this matter as our findingsshow that these signs were not posted by any current Rite Aid associates asindicated. As soon as the signs were noticed, they were immediately removed.We\’ve notified the local authorities on this act of vandalism and areoffering our full support and cooperation so that the individualsresponsible for this act of intolerance can be prosecuted to the fullestextent of the law.CoreyCustomer Support
I also wrote the Board of Directors, and I received this:
I received your e-mail and the concerns you outlined regarding the flyer posted in front of the Rite Aid store located at 501 6th Avenue, New York, NY. Please be advised that the views expressed in the flyer are not those of Rite Aid nor the employee identified in the flyer and appears to be a hoax or prank. This flyer was posted without Rite Aid’s knowledge. The Company is conducting a full investigation into this matter. We wanted to ensure that you understand how serious we view this situation and appreciate that you have shared your concerns with us. As a valued Rite Aid customer, we extend our apologies to you.
Thank you,
Steve Parsons
SVP, Human Resources
Rite Aid Corporation
Kevin.. wrote to Rite Aid and they replied:"
Let me assure you that were taking this matter very seriously. These signs
absolutely do not represent the view of Rite Aid nor the associate
identified. One of our core values is to be a place where all customers and
associates are treated with respect and dignity, where they feel appreciated
and welcome.
We are conducting an investigation regarding this matter as our findings
show that these signs were not posted by any current Rite Aid associates as
indicated. As soon as the signs were noticed, they were immediately removed.
We\’ve notified the local authorities on this act of vandalism and are
offering our full support and cooperation so that the individuals
responsible for this act of intolerance can be prosecuted to the fullest
extent of the law.
Corey
Customer Support"
Well, it looks like a form letter to me–either they are getting tons of email and they can\’t answer, or they don\’t know what is going on and just trying to pacify people.
This flyer is bad! but I am inclined to believe it is a hoax. Drug Stores make way, way too much money, and they are not likely to jeopardize dollars with crap like this. What they really need to worry about is someone doing a study of their business practices to determine if they are guilty of illegal profiteering. How much profit do they make? I recently discovered one pharmacy makes a $30 profit on a $68 prescription. Freakin Outrageous! But not too surprising. Look at the number of stores they are building on expensive prime real estate! Towns that used to have two drugstores now have 20! That is a LOT of money. If anyone knows of anyone blogging on drugstores exorbitant profits please post a url.