Yesterday, my Tweet-happy friend Chris Nelson posted an article about eating at Chick-Fil-A and why people should still do it.
I think there are some valid points in there, but I’m still not eating there.
CHICK-FIL-A IS NOT A HATE GROUP.
No, they’re not. I don’t think anyone is claiming that they, themselves, actively discriminate against gay people in terms of either their hiring practices or the services they provide. But, as someone who’s gay, I’m not going to spend my money at a restaurant where it can then be sent to a group that believes that I should undergo counseling to un-gay myself. (My term, not theirs.) (source: http://www.focusonthefamily.com/socialissues/social-issues/counseling-for-unwanted-same-sex-attractions.aspx) The same website also has an affiliate (it says so right under its logo) that says that in order for me to live up to God’s intent for my life, I need to be celibate. (source: http://www.citizenlink.com/analysis/sexuality/homosexuality-and-gender-issues/) So while no, I don’t think Chick-Fil-A is a hate group, it does donate to groups that discriminate against gay people.
THEY DO GOOD IN THE COMMUNITY:
They absolutely do. They support local charities (and national ones) and do wonderful things. But does that balance this out? For me, no, it doesn’t. McDonald’s has the Ronald McDonald House, which helps sick children and their families. Wendy’s supports adoption. Those are two ways I can also support charity while not also giving money to groups that don’t want me to get married.
DO YOU REALLY WANT COMMERCIAL AND POLITICAL LIVES ENMESHED?
In this case, yes. I would possibly like to get married some day. At any rate, I don’t think it’s Chick-Fil-A’s business or Focus on the Family’s business or, really, anyone’s business but mine and my future wife’s. I find groups that discriminate against gay people (in this case, Focus on the Family) abhorrent. I don’t want them to get my money. I wouldn’t send it to them directly and I don’t want it funneled to them via cows that can’t spell.
I’m not trying to send Chick-Fil-A out of business and I don’t even call what I’m doing a boycott. I just feel like it’s irresponsible of me to spend money with a company that runs against my values. I don’t think the loss of my $6 every few months will hurt their business, but I do think that it’s a good idea to be aware of where your money goes. If you are pro-life, for example, it would be a good idea for you to know which businesses donate to Planned Parenthood.
Most of my friends, though, have the luxury of this being an intellectual exercise. My straight friends, regardless of where they fall on the political spectrum, won’t have their lives changed by gay marriage one way or the other. For me, though, it’s my life.
And I refuse to give money to anyone who feels I am inviting God’s judgment by being who I am. (As Dan Cathy said here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/17/dan-cathy-chick-fil-a-president-anti-gay_n_1680984.html)
(Although, as I told a friend, it is pretty interesting to think that I can bring down the country.)
I don’t judge anyone who still goes to Chick-Fil-A. (That’s part of the reason why I’m a liberal, actually—my belief that not everyone has to live their life in accordance with my values.) I’m just saying that I can’t justify eating there.
(The title of this post comes from a lyric in the Dar Williams song “As Cool as I Am.” Lyrics here: http://www.lyricsfreak.com/d/dar+williams/as+cool+as+i+am_20036198.html)
nicely said Kelly!
Thank you! :)
I should also add that Chris Tweets and re-Tweets things as conversational starters and he doesn’t necessarily agree with everything he Tweets. (Unless it’s about Political Animals, I think.)
Yep, here’s the thing. Chick-Fil-A executives are free to donate money to whomever they want. And I am free to not patronize their restaurant because of it. That’s what makes the US great.
Now if someone could just figure out a gay-friendly alternative to Cub Scouts for me, that would be great. ;-)
Absolutely. They have every right in the world to donate money however they choose. If I had a wildly successful restaurant, I would donate profits to the Human Rights Campaign.
I just feel like (as said in The Way We Were) people are their principles. And I can say I support equality all I want but if I continue to eat there, I am putting waffle fries and chicken nuggets over my values. I’m not willing to do that. I loved their food, but not at the expense of selling my soul.
I am glad for the discussion — and reasonable discussion mostly — about this. I don’t think of CFA as a “hate group”, but like Jenny says they have every right to spend their profits as they choose and consumers have every right to decide whether or not their backing of “traditional” marriage is enough to keep them from patronizing their restaurants.
What it comes down to is whether this is a “litmus test” issue as a consumer. For you it is. And for the Beloved and I it is, too. Which is a shame, because I love me a spicy chicken biscuit from time to time.
Exactly. I don’t want a world where people can’t donate however they wish. That’s a horrible thing.
I know! I love their food. But it isn’t worth it.
[...] In a blog post recently, I talked about my stance on the controversy and one of the things I said was that part of the reason I’m a liberal is the fact that I don’t want other people to be forced to live by my belief system. Would I like to see more Facebook posts condemning CFA for donating to Focus on the Family? Yes. Do I think that the restaurant should be shut down because I find the owner’s value system offensive? No. This is America. We do all have the right to support whatever causes we wish. I don’t want to live here if that changes.** [...]