What you may not know about Chick-fil-A

[weatherboi]

[Kobi]

Alderman Joe Moreno, who represents Chicago's Logan Square neighborhood, plans to use his aldermanic privilege, a Chicago tradition in which City Council members defer to aldermen on local matters, to block the restaurant's permit.

"It's a very diverse ward-- economically, racially, and diverse in sexual orientation," Moreno told ABCNews.com. "We've got thriving businesses and we want more but at the very least don't discriminate against our LGBTQ folks."

Moreno does have the support of Mayor Rahm Emmanuel. "Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values. They disrespect our fellow neighbors and residents. This would be a bad investment, since it would be empty," Emmanuel said in a statement to the Chicago Tribune.

Moreno said he had been working with "Chick-fil-A" for nine months to address traffic issues the restaurant could create. During that time, he said he also worked "behind the scenes" to address the company's alleged support of anti-gay organizations and brought in the Civil Rights Agenda, an LGBTQ group, to help create a dialogue.

"We were making, I thought, some progress, until [Dan Cathy] comes out swinging. That basically sunk our discussions," he said.



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Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee organized a "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" for Aug. 1.

"The goal is simple: Let's affirm a business that operates on Christian principles and whose executives are willing to take a stand for the godly values we espouse by simply showing up and eating at Chick Fil-A on Wednesday, August 1," Huckabee wrote on Facebook.

As of this afternoon, more than 117,000 people had indicated they'd participate in the event.

Sen. Rick Santorum said on Twitter today that he was eating lunch at Chick-fil-A with five of his children.

"Enjoying chick-in-strips and an awesome peach shake at Chick-fil-A. See you here next Wednesday!" he tweeted.

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Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A does about $4 billion in annual sales, according to its website, which states that the purpose of the chain is to "glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us. To have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A."

http://gma.yahoo.com/chicago-politic...GFnZQ--;_ylv=3

[LaneyDoll]

For anyone who loves the food but not the stance, try the copycat recipe for the "Chick-Fil-Gay" sandwich...

http://www.buzzfeed.com/wedontgiveaf...at-recipe-2t1y

Oh, and I have to give props to some of our youth for taking their own stands...

http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/...184508093.html

[Kobi]

Mayor Thomas M. Menino withdrew his threat to ban Chick-fil-A from Boston over the chicken chain president’s anti-gay marriage stance — but the Hub Democrat remained in the crosshairs of national conservatives, including former GOP presidential hopefuls Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee.

“When I heard of the vicious hate speech and economic bullying being directed toward the (CEO Dan) Cathy family and their Chick-fil-A company, it was stunning. In the name of ‘tolerance’ a group was exercising extreme intolerance and trying to censor a citizen by threatening their business,” Huckabee told the Herald last night.

The former Arkansas governor also teed off on Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, who echoed Menino in slamming the Atlanta-based chain over Cathy’s anti-gay-marriage statements.

“When mayors of major cities like Boston and Chicago actually became ‘wannabe tyrants’ and went on the record to say they would stop a business from opening in their city because they didn’t agree with the fact that the CEO of the company supported Biblical marriage, it was time to take a stand,” Huckabee’s statement read.

Huckabee, now a Fox News Channel host, also railed against Menino on his Facebook page and trumpeted support for an Aug. 1 nationwide “I Support Chick-Fil-A” rally. Huckabee’s page got so many hits yesterday it crashed briefly as thousands of Facebook users “liked” the posting.

“I’m thrilled that there have been over 250,000 people so far join with me to support Chick-fil-A but more importantly they are supporting the rights of all Americans to have freedom of speech and freedom of Faith,” Huckabee said in the statement.

Santorum, a former Pennsylvania senator who dropped out of the GOP race earlier this year, also backed Chick-fil-A.

“With two of my boys, enjoying chick-in-strips and an awesome peach shake at Chick-fil-A. See you here next Wednesday!” Santorum tweeted.

Exiled Boston Bruins goaltender Tim Thomas, who sparked controversy for skipping the team’s White House visit, also weighed in, writing on his Facebook page: “I stand with Chick-fil-A.”

Menino kicked up the coast-to-coast ruckus when he told the Herald last week “it will be very difficult” for Chick-fil-A to get licenses for a restaurant in Boston. The chain has been eyeing a pair of Hub sites.

The mayor yesterday backed off that threat, calling his quote a “mistake” and a “Menino-ism.”

“I sent (the landlord) a letter, but that’s all. There’s no pressure by me,” he said.

But in the letter — first obtained by the Herald — Menino blasted Cathy for “discrimination” against gays, and wrote, “I urge you to back out of your plans to locate in Boston.”

Civil rights experts say Menino’s hints of City Hall chicanery crossed a line — and could reap a lawsuit.

“It’s clearly unconstitutional for the city to deny permits based on a person’s opinions,” UCLA law professor Eugene Volokh said. “It opens the city up to criticism and even litigation.”

Local civil rights attorney Chester Darling said he’d “love to represent Chick-fil-A. I’d be in federal court in a New York minute.”



http://www.bostonherald.com/news/reg...oc#articleFull

[always2late]

Just throwing this out there because I'm interested in opinions about this particular event. On Friday, gay activists are staging "national same-sex kiss day" at Chick-fil-a. Your thoughts? Do you think this is an effective form of protest for this particular issue? Do you think it will contribute to advancing the message/boycott? If not, why not?

I am, personally, not really sure how I feel about this. The media and right-wingnuts have turned this into a freedom of speech/religion issue..which is clouding the true purpose of the LGBT boycott of this particular chain. I think it would be more pro-active to get the REAL message out...that this boycott is NOT about free speech. Dan Kathy has a right to his beliefs and opinions, misguided though they may be. The point is that he is contributing a portion of his profits to groups that are actively working to deny/prohibit equal rights (not to mention that at least one of the organizations is working in Uganda to put forth the death penalty for homosexuality). THAT is why he is being boycotted...because to contribute to his earnings is to contribute to hate groups working to undermine equality. That is the message that needs to be spread. That is what the public needs to be informed about. I really don't see how staging a "kiss-in" is going to accomplish that.

[DapperButch]

Originally Posted by always2late

Just throwing this out there because I'm interested in opinions about this particular event. On Friday, gay activists are staging "national same-sex kiss day" at Chick-fil-a. Your thoughts? Do you think this is an effective form of protest for this particular issue? Do you think it will contribute to advancing the message/boycott? If not, why not?

I am, personally, not really sure how I feel about this. The media and right-wingnuts have turned this into a freedom of speech/religion issue..which is clouding the true purpose of the LGBT boycott of this particular chain. I think it would be more pro-active to get the REAL message out...that this boycott is NOT about free speech. Dan Kathy has a right to his beliefs and opinions, misguided though they may be. The point is that he is contributing a portion of his profits to groups that are actively working to deny/prohibit equal rights (not to mention that at least one of the organizations is working in Uganda to put forth the death penalty for homosexuality). THAT is why he is being boycotted...because to contribute to his earnings is to contribute to hate groups working to undermine equality. That is the message that needs to be spread. That is what the public needs to be informed about. I really don't see how staging a "kiss-in" is going to accomplish that.

I would prefer the LGBTQ community and our allies just turn at this point and take our queer dollars with us. Staging a kiss in will only add fuel to the fire, pissing anti-gays to keep spending their money there, and will continue to give Chik-fil-a free advertising. Plus, yes, it will take away from what is supposed to be highlighted in all of this.

Most/many in the USA don't have strong feelings about this....they just get reminded every day that they really like the sandwiches at Chik-fil-a so they pick a up on few on their way home.

[Soon]

I say give them no more publicity (or money...they can't just sit there w/o buying something) but let their brand fester and become permanently associated with bigotry. I also think that the kissing may just, once again, reinforce that our relationships are solely about the physical and that our struggle for equality is about behavior as opposed to rights.

Watching the videos and support for them has been really depressing. It seems that many of us didn't even realize how many of those around us are willing to support this asshole business which has given money to damaging anti-gay causes (reparative therapy! uganda!) besides being against marriage equality.

I do think we lost this round--they framed it as freedom of speech, which we know it isn't--and rallied their "freedom loving Americans" by the hundreds of thousands.

Really sickening.

[not2shygrrl]

I gotta say, Dan Cathy has every right to give/donate money to where and whom ever he chooses. It is his money, and if a person does not approve of those donations then don't purchase from Chic fil a. It's that simple. I spend my money where I choose and my donations go where I choose, it is my money and my beliefs that lead me to select who gets my donations or where I spend money. I don't think there is a person here in BFP that would welcome being bashed because of what you believe in. As a matter of fact....we all here experience that now! (or have experienced it)

I am not of the school of being right or wrong. I am however of the school that what matters is the thoughts of people (and opinions to a point) . Knowledge is empowering, if the words and beliefs are said out of fear (religious) and the unknown, that is reactionary. To educate, without forcing something down a persons throat is an approach more civilized and intelligent.

They have gained notoriety, free press, support from haters and more from all this hullaballoo. The money it would have taken to get this advertising they now have for free is invaluable. Now I know mine is not the popular view, but it is how I feel. I am not angered by Dan Cathy, or his beliefs....I am upset that the press grabbbed onto this story and blew it across the globe, and we all.....reacted. Well it's been a day or so with my thoughts. I have no discontent for anyone, I own my thoughts not the freakin press who trys to gain my support by dramatizing and inflating stories to assert their control and attempt directional power. I only wish I had been able to ignore it out of the gate.

[Martina]

I think that we should be out and present. It intimidates. The Mormons were so shocked that that many people thought it was wrong that their church donated toward passing Prop 8.

I find that more and more people are afraid of the backlash against them for their positions against lgbtq rights. I am glad that they are afraid. Those who have not or will not change their minds should hesitate before they take action against us. They should consider what it might cost them.

We need to shame them and cost them money.

[Corkey]

It has never been about his right to say or believe what ever he chooses. It is and has been about his funding and promoting of hate groups who support killing gay Ugandans, Exodus Int'l, and Tony Perkins group Focus on the Family who equate pedophillia to gay men. He is well within his right to say what ever he wishes, he is not within his right to promote murder. And it is my right to say truth to hate and not to buy and contribute to those who, given the chance, would kill me or any of *you*. It isn't about religion or free speech, it is about hate. Food is love, not hate.