So after serious personal debate I decided to get on my soap box about this entire Chick-Fil-A debacle. Everyone and anyone is entitled to their own opinion. Why all of a sudden is Chick-Fil-A the target of an anti gay marriage movement when let’s face it this company has made it’s vision and business practices blatant years ago. Through campaign contributions, sponsorships, the lack of an open location on Sundays…we all knew their values, without them even putting it into the atmosphere. It is a well know fact that the Chick-Fil-A’s business model is biblically based. If you don’t care for the opinion of the leadership of Chick-Fil-A then please don’t patronize their establishment. But enough with the rally’s and brand slamming. This has given Chick-Fil-A more exposure, free advertising, and supporters than they could have imagined…and the chicken is still the best.
Chick-Fil-A put out the following statement and I could’t agree more:
Jul. 31, 2012 Chick-fil-A Response to Recent Controversy
Chick-fil-A is a family-owned and family-led company serving the communities in which it operates. From the day Truett Cathy started the company, he began applying biblically-based principles to managing his business. The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect –regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 Restaurants run by independent Owner/Operators. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena. Our mission is simple: to serve great food, provide genuine hospitality and have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.
Chick-Fil-A hasn’t denied any homosexual service. All the staff members that I have ever come into contact with are as sweet as the last drop of honey. They provide quality customer service. I have even had the opportunity to attend a branch of Chick-Fil-A’s charity foundation Winshape Camp through The Winshape Foundation at with my children at King’s Park International Church. It was a great experience! (but that’s a blog post for another day)
Now it’s not my right to judge how anyone lives their life. I have homosexual friends and family. I love them but I feel that I can support them without jumping on the gay agenda bandwagon because frankly my lunch choice shouldn’t interfere with your life and your life should not interfere with my lunch. We obviously won’t eat there together if you feel strongly about it but I am entitled to my opinion (having an opinion is not judging: judging is judging) and I enjoy Chick-Fil-A and yes the chicken sandwich is that good!
Additional opinion: Mayors trying to gain constituents and endorsements for their political campaigns should focus on larger issues like crime reduction and health care not banning fast food chains from their cities. Food for thought.
Oh and if I have offended you with my opinion and you decide to send an angry mob to get me you can find me at my local Chick-Fil-A sipping on a lemonade and devouring waffle fries n’ nuggets. *cheers*
About Laing
mmmm… Chick-Fill-A