Short version: Drew, their employee with the most public facing role and known to be a chill guy and left-leaning, left the company with some celebration but zero explanation. This got folks looking, and they saw that the Goulets are heavily involved with planting (think “franchising” or may more accurately “metastasizing”) a new church that was growing out from a larger one that has all the usual disgusting anti-LGBT+ rhetoric, and the new church has a mission statement that includes bible literalism and explicitly places men above women in home life and church roles. Also, Reddit being Reddit, the mods handled it all very clumsily and in a way that makes it look they’ve traded their integrity for a couple of pens.
What a bummer, I really liked their website and themed ink sample packs too! I’m sure they aren’t the only ones who do it, but now I have to find another retailer I trust.
Welp. That’s that, then. Bye pen place!
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bonus-episode-pride-month/id1723599105?i=1000657476753
I figured I’d link directly to the podcast episode in question in case anyone wants to listen first-hand. The “Eric” in this episode seems to be introduced in a later episode as starting the church attended by the Goulet’s. I saw the transcriptions originally but the tone of the hosts really put me off.
I’m thoroughly disappointed at the situation and it’s completely soured my perception of the brand. Luckily, there are plenty of retailers to choose from in this hobby.
This is disappointing information to me who just spent money on inks and pens from Goulet Pens that I was going to post about this week. I’ll still post about the inks and pens because the ink and pen manufacturers are not the disappointment here.
Speaking as
__ an internet janitor __a moderator of this community, I want to remind people that there’s nothing wrong with being passionate about the issues you value highly and being motivated to take your business elsewhere as a result. But I’ve been on the internet for a while and seen people have extreme responses going as far as harassment and attempted violence against anyone who they perceive as not as committed to their values as themselves. Please don’t be that person.I know for me personally, my response stops at awareness and taking my business elsewhere.
And yeah, of course share the buys! I wouldn’t even necessarily fault someone for deciding that they’re comfortable enough with the Goulets’ track record to decide they can still do business with them. Just not my choice.
Anybody got a suggestion for a better retailer?
I’ve spent quite a lot of money at Goulet over the years.
They ones that come to my mind are:
Goldspot, Vaness, Pen Chalet, Jet Pens, Birmingham Pens, Amarillo Stationery, Pen Boutique, Anderson Pens, Cult Pens, Endless Pens, Enigma Stationery,
Lots of options.
The Goulet family has released a video statement on the Goulet Pens YouTube channel for anyone interested in their response.
For those not inclined to watch, here’s a selection from the transcript:
[Brian]We would never judge someone for who they are we simply do not agree with anyone who does um we firmly believe that all people should be treated with dignity compassion and love and be embraced for who they are and that absolutely includes the LGTBQ+ community.
[Rachel]Brian and I are having ongoing conversations with each other within our company and within our church community to ensure that we all do our part to continue fostering a safe and welcoming environment for every member of the community customers and employees alike.
Notably present: Denials that they hate anyone or would treat people with disrespect, specifically including the LGBTQ+ community.
Notably absent: Any serious suggestion that they will leave this church.
Take it for what you will. I dunno. I doubt they’re different people than they were two weeks ago. They’re certainly not frothing-at-the-mouth old school homophobes, but when you fundamentally, deeply believe that your God considers certain lifestyles are sinful, your brand of inclusion can feel hollow and calculated.
Too much for me to unpack, and shame on anybody who thought they knew well enough to threaten them (if that happened), but they also need to acknowledge that placing faith, especially politically active American Evangelical Christianity, at the forefront of their brand might eventually affect their perception among segments of their customer base.
