Why is TOMS Shoes founder Blake Mycoskie suddenly partnering with the hateful Focus on the Family? He was one of the headliners late last month at the Colorado-based anti-gay group’s Irvine, California rally, and according to an article in Christianity Today, a significant part of the organization’s attempt to rebrand itself. However, quite quickly, Mycoskie has tried to set the record straight, so to speak, telling Change.org in an exclusive statement that he regrets appearing at the aforementioned conference, and that Focus on the Family misrepresented its relationship with TOMS as a “giving partner” in its shoe program. Said Mycoskie:
Had I known the full extent of Focus on the Family's beliefs, I would not have accepted the invitation to speak at their event. It was an oversight on my part and the company's part and one we regret. In the last 18 months we have presented at over 70 different engagements and we do our best to make sure we choose our engagements wisely, on this one we chose poorly.
Furthermore, contrary to what has been reported, Focus on the Family is not a TOMS giving partner.
So there is no misunderstanding created by this mistake, let me clearly state that both TOMS, and I as the founder, are passionate believers in equal human and civil rights for all. That belief is a core value of the company and of which we are most proud.
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