When the Battle of Chick-Fil-A started, I prided myself on what I believed to be a moderate position. Since they’d never refused service to a gay person (to my knowledge) I decided to keep stopping in for my unsweetened tea with a splash of sweet. What they do with their profits is really none of my business.
I posted a blog to that effect last Wednesday. The comments here and from my Facebook friends were overwhelmingly positive. People applauded me for being a free thinker, for refusing to kowtow to the demands of the activists.
In a polite and respectful manner, a few younger gay men let me have it. I understand their impatience and am even glad for it. But having been out for more than thirty years, I have a different perspective.
Some of what people said made me uncomfortable. They took my decision not to boycott as permission to ignore what was going on, just as I had done. The more I thought about it, the more icky I felt about the entire situation.
Then something happened. Religious conservatives decided to make Chick Fil A’s support for homophobic hate groups a banner issue. So today is supposed to be a special Day of Support when bigots from across the country (though primarily in the southeast) will pork out on fried chicken sandwiches and waffle fries. May they grow large as a house.
What really set me off, however, were the asinine posts from my rightwing Facebook friends. Be warned. If you post anything about Chick-Fil-A being a better place because the gays are staying away, I will unfriend you. Insensitivity and ignorance are not qualities I value in my friends. Hate-filled rhetoric against me–and yes, it’s against me–has no place in my life and certainly not on my Facebook wall.
So yes. I waffled like I Chick-Fil-A fry. I have changed my mind. No more Chick-Fil-A here in…
My Glass House
I’m new to your blog and have gotten a lot out of your chik fil a piece. I do hate being made to feel less of a gay man by eating at a certain place. I think protesting anyone that disagrees with us will not do anything but cause both sides to become obstinate and defensive. The way that we have improved our standing is to be more visible in all areas of life. Why not encourage gay employees of chik fil a to come out and show the cathy family that they do know good people that are gay. Maybe a new gay money stamp could be used to show them how much of our money is helping them. I would love a kiss in at a chik fil a with my boyfriend and a chocolate shake, Heaven. Just some thoughts from a big old queen who is addicted to buttered buns.
Hi Bob. Thanks so much for reading and for taking the time to comment. Ninety-nine times out of 100, I come down on the whole gay rights thing exactly where you are. The progress we’ve made is the result of people like you and me living out, showing our neighbors, family members, and coworkers that the information they have about us is just wrong. Aggressive pushing by the activists just pisses off the opposition. I used to routinely comment on the harsh rhetoric coming from my gay brothers on gay web sites, but I quit because they routinely jumped me for being the gay equivalent of an Uncle Tom. Coming out at Chick-Fil-A would result in termination. Want to know how it works? Try to get a franchise. You won’t be able to get one no matter how much money you’re willing to pay. Money changes hands too many times for gay stamp to make much sense. Aggressive pushing by right wingers has forced me to take a position that is outside of my normal response. For me, it’s the only thing I can do.
I get what you say…and your change of mind, too. I think after your information that I find it necessary to let others know. I will pass this blog on. Being veggie, well, I don’t go there…but I know people who do. My goodness. Why can’t people just stop being such idiots? o.O
Thanks, Mama. Could we have been separated at birth??
Well, to each his own. I don’t plan on going there, but I never have really been a Chick-Fil-A patron. When you’re a private company, that’s what happens. Mom and Pop businesses think they can do anything they want and say anything they want because they are self-employed. I learned that working for about 40 different mom and pops as a temp in Lexington. It’s a grand illusion that you can do what you want in your own business and with your own employees.
If they want to close of Sundays, no skin off my nose, but that has seemed in the past to be the day I considered eating there. That was way back in the days of “Closed on Sunday to worship the Lord.” My religious beliefs and values aren’t theirs and neither are my political beliefs.
I’m waiting for In ‘N Out to come out in favor of marriage equity. It just seems right. Every time I see their sign I think of Kevin Kline in the movie, which I loved. Then I see the criss crossed palm trees and think of It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World. I love that song “Mad World”. Didn’t what’s his name on American Idol the glam guy do a terrific job with that song? Actually, he did a terrific job with every song. He was a real performer.
Life goes on …