Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day Draws Strong Local Reactions

Yesterday was Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, spearheaded by former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee in response to protests lodged after Dan Cathy, president of the fast-food chain, spoke out publicly about how the company proudly abides by Bible-based principles and, as a result, opposes same-sex marriage.

"This wasn't exactly news to the LGBT community, which has long criticized the fast-food chain for donations to campaigns and causes it sees as opposing gay rights. But Cathy's comments landed at a time when the country is more fractured than ever about the issue of same-sex marriage," according to a Los Angeles Times report, posted Aug. 1.

"The flap seems unlikely to end soon," the report added. "Fox News is reporting that supporters of same-sex marriage plan protests — including "kiss-ins" — at Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide on Friday [Aug. 3]."

In an Aug. 1 Brandon Patch Facebook post, we asked, "Who went, and didn't go, to Chick-fil-A today, and why?"

Cathy Jacobs Pritchard said she "was a part of the Valrico Chick-fil-A today" for "several reasons, but the main one is I believe [Dan] Cathy has the right to free speech like everyone else!"

Stephanie O'Rourke also used freedom of speech as her reason for eating at Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1. "My best friends are a gay couple. I love them," she said. "It is not my place to judge. But to boycott a man for having the guts to give his opinion? Not happening. I see far worse supported in this country every day . . . by tax dollars . . ."

Karlise Guzman saw things differently. "I don't have any issue with it being a Christian company or him [Cathy] believing what he wants," she said. "I have issues with supporting a company that gives money to groups that want to criminalize being gay. So no, I did not to today and do not plan to in the future."

Jason Conley agreed. "Not going again," he said. "Free speech is one thing but focusing millions to groups who want to at the least stop marriage equality and the most extreme want to criminalize homosexuality makes it about more than a simple expression of feelings."

Susan Lucas Kazenas did eat at Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1 and, like Pritchard, said she did so to support free speech. "When we revert to punishing those who express their opinions, then we revert to communism," she said. "I waited in line for about 45 minutes for some nuggets, and freedom of speech never tasted so good. And by the way, members of OPEC persecute men for being effeminate and kill them if they're gay, so those who ban [Chick-fil-A] should be buying electric cars."

Kim Mitchell took a strong stance in opposition to Cathy's remarks. "I cannot in good conscience patronize an establishment that knowingly donates a portion of its profits to groups that encourage homosexuals to feel bad about themselves," she said. "Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't that an organized form of bullying? I fully support freedom of speech, but this is about more than freedom of speech."

Suzanne Brunner agreed. Did she eat at Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1? "Not a chance," she said. "They support violent anti-LGBT groups and that is not okay with me." She added that she was 100 percent "for their right of free speech, which has nothing to do with the boycott, it all has to do with supporting hate. Won't do it."

For more comments, visit the Brandon Patch Facebook page. To offer your views as well, use the comment box below.