Many years ago, a new fast-food restaurant called Chick-fil-A was built on a small piece of property adjacent to the local mall. We decided to explore the new restaurant and found that it was clean and comfortable. The food was tasty, albeit somewhat overpriced, and the atmosphere was friendly. With time, the restaurant developed a reputation for donating food to several private schools and church groups. At first, we didn't think it odd that the toys in the restaurant's kids meal were Bible-based in nature, but the feeling of "getting a little church with your chicken" was more noticeable with each visit.
I've never had an issue with the separation of chicken and state, but this restaurant chain has established a long record of discrimination and homophobia by donating to anti-gay causes and involving itself in debates about marriage equality with the company president's recent public comments suggesting same-sex marriage is "inviting God's judgment on our nation" plunged the restaurant chain into national headlines. The company's message has called for several boycotts from customers and at least one city … Boston.
"Chick-fil-A doesn't belong in Boston. You can't have a business in the city of Boston that discriminates against a population. We're an open city, we're a city that's at the forefront of inclusion. That's the Freedom Trail. That's where it all started right here. And we're not going to have a company, Chick-fil-A or whatever the hell the name is, on our Freedom Trail." – Thomas M. Menino, Mayor – Boston, Massachussetts
The chain is reportedly considering the opening of a new restaurant on Boston's Union Street, across the City Hall and a Holocaust Memorial, but Mayor Menino is adamantly opposed. He was able to block the building of a Walmart last year, criticizing the retail giant's impact on neighborhood business and lower-wage workers, and it looks like he may try to do the same to Chick-fil-A because of their discriminatory policies.
I hope that others follow suit. While I certainly applaud those who stand up for what they believe in and put their money where their mouth is, I believe that this captain will go down with his ship. There are many, many other places to buy chicken sandwiches that don't come with a side of homophobia. Fair-minded chicken-eaters will surely consider other restaurants. I certainly will.
Will you be boycotting Chick-fil-A?
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