CHICK-FIL-A, CHICK-FIL-A , MY GOD, CHICK-FIL-A

This week has been one of the most insane weeks in fast food history and LGBT activism.  Not since Cracker Barrel's policies of blatantly firing gay people, has the LGBT community been so in up in arms with a food establishment.  There are many companies who have made overt and covert connections to organizations to maintain “family values”,“Christian values”, or let’s call it what it is, discrimination.  I guess it is their right to do whatever they feel is best for them, but when you are looking to extract money from the general public, is it not in your best interest to not engage in anything that would divide it?  Clearly, many businesses have adopted their stances, and have chosen to stand up for them. 

 Chick–Fil-A’s president, Dan Cathy , set off a firestorm by echoing his company "support of the traditional family."  His  quote is quite fierce,

"Well, guilty as charged…we are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that...we know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles."

I applaud his efforts to stay true to his principles, like all good “Christians” in the face of adversity.  I know that the LGBT activists of our population have jumped on this, and are actively working to tear a new one in the Chick-Fil-A establishment.  Ordinarily I would say, “Give ‘em Hell, y’all!” “Kick that ass!”  “Make them pay!” and I do like that the company has had to explain itself.  However, what would our activists be doing now, if  Mr. Cathy had kept his sanctified mouth shut, and somehow that money could have been given secretly to his anti-marriage organizations?  Would gay people in the south and elsewhere, continue the practice of eating Chick-Fil-A?  Would HRC, LGBT bloggers, and politicians enter the fray so quickly and so vehemently? 

I remember just last year at the radio station, the only Chick-Fil-A franchise in the NYC area, sent over a mess of sandwiches and nuggets, and at no time did it dawn on me or any of my other LGBT coworkers to care about the impending controversy or even question it.  I am not haunted by that truth, but I wonder if I would have eaten anything if Mr. Cathy would have said what he said last week, 2 years ago?  To be honest, I might have talked a great game, but I probably would have shame eaten a sandwich, or at least grabbed a waffle fry, and then begged for LGBT absolution.  I was in a different place with food at that time.

Boston Mayor, Thomas Menino, threw down the first political gauntlet by writing a letter to Mr. Cathy expressing his ire towards him, and telling him how his business is not welcome, especially at the proposed site across from City Hall where same sex marriages are happening every day. 

"In recent days you said Chick-fil-A opposes same-sex marriage and said the generation that supports it has an 'arrogant attitude.' Now -- incredibly -- your company says you are backing out of the same-sex marriage debate. I urge you to back out of your plans to locate in Boston."

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel had a lot to say about the matter, but has since backed down.  I think  primarily because his allegiance to gay marriage has been called into question , somewhat. Not to mention, his recent associations with the Nation of Islam make it hard to judge people or prevent them from doing things because of their religious viewpoints. Mayor Ed Lee of San Francisco sent a tweet that captured his sentiment:

Closest #ChickFilA to San Francisco is 40 miles away & I strongly recommend that they not try to come any closer.

Mike Huckabee, Rick Santorum, and even Sarah Palin have tossed their thoughts into the mix.  Considering that Mr. Huckabee has put on a little weight since his 105 lb weight loss, you would think that he would not be advocating fast food, but sometimes it is about principles.  I think that Mayor Mike Bloomberg of New York City may have said it best:

"trampling on the freedom to marry whoever you want is exactly the same as trampling on your freedom to open a store."

  

Richard Socarides, a New York lawyer who is also urging a boycott of Chick-Fil-A, said

"Consumers can disagree with a company's corporate political position and decide not to spend money there…but the city cannot regulate speech by denying someone a permit to operate their business just because you disagree with their political beliefs."

It’s irritating, but he’s right.  The best way that we can prove our might is with our money and our votes.  I am glad that Chick-Fil-A has owned their practice, so that we as consumers can make our choices. Being from Texas, I had an inkling that Chick-Fil-A might not have been the most LGBT friendly establishment, considering that it was closed on Sundays for religious reasons.  It would almost be safe to assume that ‘IT’S RAINING MEN’ would not be blaring in their lobbies. Somehow, it did not stop me from enjoying those nuggets and waffle fries.  Of course that has more to do with my being a fatty who likes his fast food, than an ardent supporter of the franchise.  I am sure that I was not alone as a member of LGBT population doing the same.  Was ignorance bliss? Maybe it was, but those sandwiches were pretty fierce back in the day.

As an African-American, too, I remember the furor that  Denny's Restaurant caused with the way that it treated black people. They were sued and forced to change.  When you hit them in the pocket, either they change or go away.  However, I can guarantee that there are still many black people lining up for a Grand Slam Breakfast.  Even after the death of Cracker Barrel's founder earlier this year, it remains a money making entity.  What does that mean? It means that no matter how we beat the drums, people will buy whatever they want with or without consciousness.  I am going to use the advice that my mother gave me years ago, “if somebody doesn’t like you, then stay the hell away from them!”   As we become aware of those from whom we need to stay away as members of the LGBT population and our allies, it is our duty to pass it on.  Once you know better, then you can spend better.

Keep Laughing, Stay Fabulous. 


P.S.  If you are still dying for Chick-Fil-A, and you don't want the gay guilt, try this recipe.