Chick-fil-A, the fast food chain that has been making headlines lately over its stance on same-sex marriage, is once again facing a wave of demonstrations and protesters, as gay rights advocates are planning a National Same Sex Kiss Day at Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country.
STORY: Really Now? Chick-Fil-A President Against Gay Marriage!
In the last few weeks, President Dan Cathy said that his privately owned company is “guilty as charged” in support of what he called 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.”
In the wake of the controversy, Chick-fil-A released a statement, saying it has a history of applying biblically-based principles to its 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…Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.”
The bottom line is, as a privately owned company, Chick-fil-A has every right to its stance on same-sex marriage, but at the same time, that kind of thinking doesn’t progress us as a nation.
Furthermore, when you have customers of all creeds who spend their money at your establishment, you can’t outwardly discriminate against their way of life with no repercussions.
Chick-fil-A will surely feel the wrath of the LGBT community, but in the meantime, here are a few things to know about the tasty chicken joint.
[pagebreak]
The Atlanta-based chain opened its first location in a Georgia mall in 1967 and has grown to more than 1,615 restaurants in 39 states and Washington, D.C., with annual sales over $4.1 billion.
[pagebreak]
The franchise actually shuts down on Sundays for the Sabbath, despite the lost profits from weekend business.
[pagebreak]
Chick-fil-A is a family owned business starting with the three-headed faces of the company: S. Truett Cathy Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Founder. Dan T. Cathy, Chief Operative Officer, President. Donald (Bubba) M. Cathy Executive Vice President and President.
[pagebreak]
In January of 2011, Chick-fil-A co-sponsored a marriage conference along with the Pennsylvania Family Institute (PFI), an organization that seeks to “strengthen families by restoring to public life the traditional, foundational principles and values essential for the well-being of society.”
PFI had filed a brief against the trial ruling striking down Proposition 8 in California; they also lobbied against a state effort to ban discrimination in Pennsylvania on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity.
Sarah Palin is also a supporter of PFI; she was the lead speaker at their annual event back in 2010.
[pagebreak]
The company often invests in Christian growth and ministry through its WinShape Foundation (WinShape.com).
The name comes from the idea of shaping people to be winners. It began as a college scholarship and expanded to a foster care program, an international ministry, and a conference and retreat center modeled after the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove.
