This has always prodded my curiosity since it all began, and the previous thread leads me to . . .
"The Original Inspiration"
Ever since Starbucks first made its way north, the name has always prodded me to think of the BG character "Starbuck" and whether or not this was where the company name originated. Of course, the original business may pre-date the movie, thus rendering the point moot. But then again, maybe not.
Now a thread on alt.tv.star-trek.enterprise says the Starbuck character in the new TV movie is "a dyke". (I missed the show and can't even confirm if this is true). Cross-reference this to the decor, atmosphere, and especially, the staff at Starbucks and I think you have a case for a full-blown conspiracy/cult phenomenon in our very urban midst.
So you have Starbucks and its very distinctive image. How to describe? Start with the icon. Female, goddess-like, iconographic. Perhaps the name leads back somewhere in mythology? The names for the products. They force you to say "extra hot no-whipped caramalized machiatto" instead of "medium chocolate thingie", so many times you cease to question the rationale. The names of the snacks. Their choice of music. The observation that if a guy is working the counter there, he probably could pass for gay.
The whole thing leans towards an atmosphere your average upscale, gay-leaning urbanite would find comfortable. Not that there's anything wrong with that. But does this correlate to the entire sea change in attitudes towards gays and gay culture? Is it a response, or the catalyst? Is it all subtle and subliminal social engineering? Would your average redneck homophobe deign to cross the threshold of a Starbucks? Would they feel threatened?
All I know is a generation ago, a place like Starbucks could not get established in most North American cities. People wouldn't know what to make of it. Now they're everywhere and I can't go three days without a latte.