The controversy over Chick-fil-A’s anti-gay policies has been sidetracked as many focus instead on the narrow question of whether political bluster by city officials condemning the company could infringe on its First Amendment rights. In the meantime, activists across the country are calling out the harm caused by the company’s anti-gay giving and its president’s condemnations of homosexuality. Here’s a round-up of some of the latest pushback:
- Today, the Human Rights Campaign protested in front of the Chick-fil-A truck in downtown Washington, DC.
- The young people of Youth Empowered to Act in Laguna Hills, California protested outside a newly opening Chick-fil-A, informing customers about the company’s anti-gay donations.
- Philadelphia Councilman Jim Kenny has suggested he’ll introduce resolutions officially condemning Chick-fil-A and its president, Dan Cathy.
- Former NY Gov. Eliot Spitzer (D) is calling on others to boycott Chick-fil-A.
- Since Tuesday, students at seven universities have launched Change.org petitions demanding that Chick-fil-A be blocked from their campuses: University of Illinois, University of Kansas, Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis, Ball State University, College of Charleston, Wichita State University, and Minnesota State University.
- Chick-fil-A has also had to publicly deny it was using a fake teenage girl’s profile to defend itself on Facebook.
- Support continues to grow for next week’s planned Chick-fil-A Same-Sex Kiss-in.
Given the growing awareness of Chick-fil-A’s multi-million dollar commitment to demonizing people who are gay, it’s understandable that many feel they can no longer welcome the restaurant in their neighborhoods. If nothing else, the controversy provides an important opportunity to educate about the lives and families of same-sex couples who Dan Cathy believes will destroy society.
Update:
Equality Illinois has launched a “Flick-the-hate” campaign, petitioning the key stakeholders of the state’s 19 Chick-fil-A restaurants to cut ties with the restaurant.