Who Put the "Gay" in Chick-fil-A?

As with all things swarming in the media, I have to comment on the recent anti-gay and Chick-fil-A controversy. First let me say that I love their chicken! I love their buns, pickles, waffle fries; I even love their chicken wraps! I have always had a pleasant, sometimes even bordering on delightful, experience at each restaurant I've visited in the last 20+ years. I would never accuse the company of not knowing how to run it's businesses.


 In today's fiery arena of public politics, it's easy to get caught up in the dramatics of choosing sides. Everyone wants to be right, and in an effort to be more right, we'll hear all manner of argument, including name-calling. My favorites are: bleeding heart liberal and right wing nut-job; neither of which accurately or fairly describes any point of view. 


You don't need me to rehash the details of the controversy. We all know that Chick-fil-A has come under fire by Gay/Lesbian equality activists and the media, for their stance on same-sex marriage. Quite honestly, things were running smoothly until Cathy, President of Chick-fil-A, decided to make his feelings on the subject of gay marriage, known in an interview with the Baptist Press. Now that we all know a bit more about this company, it's been hard, for me, to overlook a few things. Obviously, I firmly support all of my LGBT brothers and sisters in their fight for equal rights under the law. But I could care less about what the president of Chick-fil-A thinks about it. Where I take issue is with their WinShape Foundation that donates millions of dollars to organizations I'd rather set on fire than give money to. I have a problem with any company that uses it's profits to promote an agenda, especially if I've contributed to their bottom line. I'm not saying that because someone owns a business, that they're not still entitled to hold firmly to their beliefs and vote accordingly. What I am saying, is that when you own a multi-billion dollar corporation, it's wise to expect that people will not only disagree with your perspective but also take issue with you taking the money they, as consumers spend with you, and handing it over to classified "hate groups". 


We all have the right to decide what "family" means to us. The Cathy's have decided that only heterosexual people should be allowed to be part of a family - and if that makes them happy, then so be it... But I, as a long time Chick-fil-A patron, have a right to disagree and decide that I no longer wish to support The Marriage and Family Legacy Fund, The Family Research Counsel, The National Christian Foundation and least of all, Focus on the Family and Exodus International. At first glance, they simply appear to be Christian focus groups that promote a peaceful, Biblical agenda. But some of these groups are classified as hate groups and anti-gay organizations by the Southern Poverty Law Center. Unfortunately, some of these organizations are responsible for mass bullying of gays, especially gay children. And if having a gut churning dislike for that makes me a "bleeding heart liberal', then that's what I'll be. The "Day of Dialogue" was started by Focus on the Family to provide support for Christian students who wanted to voice to their peers that homosexuality was wrong. They believe that our schools are an appropriate place for heterosexual students to inform homosexual students that, according to God, the gays are going to HELL. 

If not now, then when would be a good time for me to let you (theoretical you) know that you're going to Hell for being a fat glutton who gossips too much? Can we set aside some time to chastise people with tattoos? Should we have students be on the look out for other kids who are wearing blended fabrics? Isn't school the perfect place for kids to go and be ridiculed and told they're going to burn in Hell???


Once again, let me say that my issue is not with the principles upon which Chick-fil-A was founded. I do NOT care that Mr. Cathy doesn't want gays to marry. I care about how he spends the money that I help to contribute to his company's profits. When possible, I like to make my purchases guilt free. I wouldn't do business with someone if I knew they beat their spouse or held KKK meetings. I want to do business with companies that understand that their values aren't necessarily representative of everyone else's, and thereby use their profits in an all-inclusive ministry, not an exclusive one.