In response to Chick-fil-A's president making statements in support of traditional marriage, same-sex marriage supporters deemed Friday, Aug. 3, as "National Same Sex Kiss Day at Chick-fil-A."
Same-sex couples are taking pictures in front of the fast food locations across the country as part of the demonstration. Above, Elkridge couple Julie and Sama Bellomo posed for a kiss in front of the Chick-fil-A on Executive Park Drive in Columbia.
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Tension has ensued after Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A's president, shared his views on family during a visit to North Carolina.
"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," Cathy told North Carolina newspaper the Biblical Recorder.
In a show of support for the president of the company's views, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee declared Wednesday, Aug. 1, as Customer Appreciation Day at Chick-fil-A, reported the L.A. Times; and, according to CNN, it was a record day for the chain in sales.
On Wednesday, a reported long lines, and Carroll County public officials have spoken out in support of a third location of the chain locating to Eldersburg.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) organized the National Same-Sex Kiss Day at Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country for Aug. 3, coordinated around a National Same Sex Kiss Day Facebook page.
"Head to your local Chick-fil-A and share a kiss with your sweetie," organizers posted on the page. "Let's show Chick-fil-A that EVERYONE deserves to be able to fall in love, start a family, and take their children to eat fried chicken after a soccer match. ;)"
The chain is facing heat across the country.
In Torrance, CA, a Chick-fil-A was vandalized with graffiti Friday by someone who spray-painted the words and an image of a cow on the side of the building.
Maryland but the issue will go to referendum in November after thousands of petitions were submitted to the state in opposition of the law.
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"Throughout my life I have strenuously opposed discrimination of any kind, including discrimination against gay and lesbian Americans. I am signing into law H.R. 3396, a bill relating to same-gender marriage, but it is important to note what this legislation does and does not do. I have long opposed governmental recognition of same-gender marriages and this legislation is consistent with that position. The Act confirms the right of each state to determine its own policy with respect to same gender marriage and clarifies for purposes of federal law the operative meaning of the terms "marriage" and "spouse".
I also want to make clear to all that the enactment of this legislation should not, despite the fierce and at times divisive rhetoric surrounding it, be understood to provide an excuse for discrimination, violence or intimidation against any person on the basis of sexual orientation. Discrimination, violence and intimidation for that reason, as well as others, violate the principle of equal protection under the law and have no place in American society."
This kiss in is a pathetic expression of hatred against an organization that chooses to speak it's mind and if the Gays and Lesbians want to discriminate against them then I need to re-evaluate my support of their so called rights. Be careful what you ask for - you may not like the consequences. Thank you Chik-a-Filet - I support your rights to believe what you believe.
I am confused by this schema, as it seems hypocritical. It is OK for the President of a company to say he is opposed to gay-marriage, because that's his right. It is OK for authorities within said company to contribute funds to groups opposed to gay-marriage, because that's their right. However, if someone does not want to give money to the company because of what the President said and/or what the company does with their funds... they're being discriminatory? If those same people wish to peacefully protest the company and/or it's President for their actions... they're being hateful? Again, show me the logic and critical thinking in this train of thought.
I wish government would get out of marriage all together. Gay and hetero.
So the real question is, for those of you who say you will continue to patronize CFA, and those of you who participated in the "CFA Appreciation Day," NOW THAT YOU KNOW that they donate millions to anti-gay groups, will you still continue to spend your money there? If so, how will you continue to look your LGBT friends, family, and neighbors in the eye, having made the choice that a chicken sandwich is more important to you than their rights?
Protesting Chik-Fil-A is no different than the protest by One Million Mom's of J.C. Penny's or numerous groups that protested Abercrombie & Fitch over the last decade. When a corporation does something you don't agree with it is well within your rights to protest them, whether it be silent or vocal.
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