The controversy over the restaurant chain Chick-fil-A continues. It all started when one of
the restaurants donated food to an anti-gay, pro-traditional marriage group about a month
ago. The CEO of the company made a video explaining that they donate to all sorts of groups
and they don’t necessarily check out all the details or agendas of the groups before they
donate (how intelligent). He then made a stupendous gaffe in the video, proclaiming that the
restaurant chain has always been pro-marriage (which translates to traditional marriage, the
very topic he was trying to deflect).
The chain has always been staunchly Christian based, including prayers among
employees and potential franchisees forced to discuss their marital status and church
involvement. They’re even closed on Sundays. The chain has given millions of dollars in
donations over the years to religious groups and those working to fight same sex marriage.
Because the company remains privately held — his two sons run it — it can easily keep its
faith-based principles intact. The company’s corporate purpose is, in part, “to glorify God by
being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us.”
It’s been interesting to watch this one. I’m not a boycotter. I’m not a fan of it. I think it’s an
overblown reaction to a simplicity of thought. The recent Target boycott did nothing to stem
anti gay support from the major chain, and in reality, corporations are, by their very nature,
out for a profit and that’s all. They generally don’t care who they throw away or offend on
their path to make a buck. Where are gay boycotts when it comes to the amount of pollution
corporations are dumping into the atmosphere and waters on a daily basis which will affect all
humans for hundreds of years to come?
I’m bothered much more by a religious group getting my money than any business or
corporation. Religion is at the heart of the anti gay sentiment not just in the U.S. but around the
world. Religious bigotry is what we have to defeat in order to secure our rights. The politicians,
many of whom are non religious themselves, do not work against gay rights because of any
personal faith, they do so to rally the base of religious hatred which manages to get them re-
elected year after year.
So I’m happy to begin my boycott of Chick-fil-A based on that. Oh, and also on the fact that
after hearing so much acclaim for their food that I pulled in and tried it when they first opened
up in River Park. I thought it sucked and I haven’t been back since.
