Dear Chick-Fil-A: Suck my balls.

[Alicia Rose]

Apparently Chick-Fil-A's been getting in all sorts of mischief. Sad, I love their chicken...

Original Article

Bet Chick-fil-A wishes this month would end. Over the past few weeks, the restaurant chain's deep ties to the anti-gay movement have been exposed and uncovered by a number of activists, most notably Jeremy Hooper at Good As You. Whether it's Focus on the Family, the National Organization for Marriage, the Pennsylvania Family Institute, or Exodus International, Chick-fil-A ties run deep.

Of course, the President of Chick-fil-A wants gay people to share no hard feelings. The restaurant will gladly feed homosexuals gobs of chicken sandwiches, after all. But when it comes to marriage, Chick-fil-A believes strongly that same-sex couples just don't deserve equal rights.

As we wrote about a few weeks ago, Chick-fil-A's charitable arm, the WinShape Foundation, has been particularly active in the fight against marriage equality. They've hosted conferences with some of the leading opponents of gay marriage in this country. A higher up at WinShape has even praised the efforts of anti-gay activist David Blankenhorn for working against marriage equality, and for articulating a solid reason why American culture should reject same-sex couples.

Now comes some email correspondence that Good As You has shared on their blog, where the WinShape Foundation's Retreat Center -- a center run by the charitable arm of Chick-fil-A -- admits that they have a severe distaste for LGBT people.

The email correspondence goes a little something like this. Someone writes WinShape an easy question about whether their retreat center is open to LGBT people. WinShape's response:

"WinShape Retreat defines marriage from the Biblical standard as being between one man and one woman. Groups/Individuals are welcome who offer wholesome, educational conferences and programs that are compatible with Biblical values and WinShape's purpose," WinShape wrote back.

Kind of some corporate speak, right? So the activist wrote back: can you just give a clear-cut answer? And WinShape confirmed:

"We do not accept homosexual couples because of the statement in our contract."

And so it goes like this: Chick-fil-A is a restaurant where franchises frequently donate to anti-gay organizations like the Pennsylvania Family Institute, Focus on the Family and others. The restaurant's charitable arm, WinShape, holds conferences for opponents of gay marriage and praises their work. And this charitable arm's Retreat program puts a blanket ban on gay couples using their facilities, because they "do not accept homosexual couples."

Yet the President of Chick-fil-A still says that all people, including LGBT people, are treated with respect by the restaurant? Huh, what a funny definition of respect.

Meanwhile, check this story out. So the Human Rights Campaign's NOMExposed project tried to submit an equality-minded video to the Ruth Institute's "Reel Love Video Challenge." The Ruth Institute is an affiliate of the National Organization for Marriage, and they're running a contest where folks can submit videos talking about what love means. The video below was originally accepted, but then promptly booted out of the project once the Ruth Institute became aware that it actually championed equality for same-sex couples.

Here's the kicker: the Ruth Institute's "Reel Love Video Challenge" has a tie-in to Chick-fil-A's WinShape Foundation. Wouldn't it be nice to hear why the Ruth Institute and the WinShape Foundation find the below video so offensive? After all, what is love if it isn't equal?

A bit more on the scandal can be found at these elegant and finely-crafted links:

Keeping Marriage From Gays Has Long Been a Focus of Chick-Fil-A

Chick-fil-A Responds, But Connections to Anti-Gay Groups Deepen

Chick-fil-A Booted from Indiana University South Bend's Campus Over Anti-Gay Work

Students Challenge Chick-fil-A's Ties to Anti-Gay Organizations

Why, Chick-Fil-A? Why can't you keep out of hate politics and just make delicious chicken sandwiches for eternity?

[bigmac]

Damn -- I really liked their ice tea.

If anyone digs up dirt on Trader Joe's I'm going to starve.

[Fish]

Dammit! have you ever had one of their Chicken Bagel breakfast sammitches!?! This is a disaster! I don't WANT to have to frickin' boycott Chick Fil A! And that new Spicey chicken sammitch is frickin' awesome!

EXPLETIVE!!!

[Deven]

I'm pretty glad I never had any Chic-Fil-A. I think I had a milkshake from there, once. It was a peach milkshake and it was so gross I ended up dumping it and getting one from Sonic not too long after (I was on a roadtrip.)

I refuse to support any establishment that has ties to the anti-gay community. I'm a firm believer in gay rights, and am an open bisexual. I keep a good tab on what their scoring is as on the Corporate Equality Index. Like Cracker Barrel. They were only 15/100. They have now gone up 40 points. Not bad, and I can support that they are trying.

[Fish]

It's better that you don't know what you have to give up, DevenDoom. FAR, far better.

[Alicia Rose]

Everyone who is boycotting Chick-Fil-A over this should write to corporate and explain why. A boycott does nothing if they don't know why they're being boycotted. Hopefully then when they cave to common decency we can again enjoy their delicious fried cluck bird. <3

[Dromond]

Originally Posted by bigmac

Damn -- I really liked their ice tea.

If anyone digs up dirt on Trader Joe's I'm going to starve.

Sonic iced tea is better.

Originally Posted by Fish

Dammit! have you ever had one of their Chicken Bagel breakfast sammitches!?! This is a disaster! I don't WANT to have to frickin' boycott Chick Fil A! And that new Spicey chicken sammitch is frickin' awesome!

EXPLETIVE!!!

'Tis true, I've yet to find a place where the chicken sammiches can compare.

[ThatFatGirl]

Done. Short and sweet:

I'm deeply saddened to learn your charity foundation supports those who would deny equal marriage rights for all people. You can count me among the thousands of people taking a stand against Chik-Fil-A. I refuse to eat at your restaurants ever again. Open your hearts and your minds and recognize that God loves all those He created be they straight, gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered and maybe you'll get this customer back.

Respectfully,
Laura XXXX


Link for those who might want it:

http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Connect/Contact-Us-CARES


I really love the original fried chicken sandwich... the pickles.. add mayo. Yum.. It has been a couple of years because I've never lived close or convenient to a Chik-Fil-A, but I absolutely won't knowingly support any organization that violates what I consider to be basic human rights.

[mountaindew]

Great news! All I have to say is "Eat Mor Chikin"

[Alicia Rose]

Originally Posted by mountaindew

Great news! All I have to say is "Eat Mor Chikin"

edit: probably shouldn't post that.

[Paquito]

... I LOVE Chick-fil-a.

Damnit.

[cinnamitch]

Originally Posted by Alicia Rose

edit: probably shouldn't post that.

Deep breath hon and ignore.

[mountaindew]

Originally Posted by mountaindew

Great news! All I have to say is "Eat Mor Chikin"

"WinShape Retreat defines marriage from the Biblical standard as being between one man and one woman. Groups/Individuals are welcome who offer wholesome, educational conferences and programs that are compatible with Biblical values and WinShape's purpose,"

[DELIMAN092262]

The issue of same sex marriage or marriage equity is a topic subject to debate. There are strong feelings both for and against.

Advocates for marriage equity see their struggle as a battle for civil rights. I can respect that. These people are committed to this cause so they will boycott Chick-fil-a until the management changes their support from those opposed to marriage equity. As is their right.

The owners of Chick-fil-a also have strong beliefs. I can respect them too. They too have a strong beliefs and are committed to them. For example, all of their restaurants are closed on Sunday. They are denying themselves revenue from Sunday sales. Their religious beliefs are stronger that their economic best interests.

They are also opposed to same sex marriage. As is their right.

I do not doubt the sincerity of those that posted on this thread and committed themselves to this boycott until Chick-fil-a management changes it's position. Nor, do I think those opposed to same sex marriage will have a “reason” to support this restaurant by buying more.

But what about the great mass in the middle? Some may claim to support marriage equity and other will say they are opposed to same sex marriage. Frankly, most are probably indifferent to the boycott. Some will claim to be opposed to the management's position, but they will also defend restaurant management's right to that position. Those that favor the restaurant management's position will go to the restaurant when they are hungry for chicken.

[furious styles]

i never liked their shitty sandwiches but i did like putting the hot sauce on those waffle fries. gladly do without it though.

[Sydney Vicious]

Originally Posted by cinnamitch

Deep breath hon and ignore.

I'm gonna second that!
trolls will always troll. and trolls will always be douchebags.

ANYWHO! back to the topic of the THREAD!
this is ridiculous. I love fried chicken : (.
oh welll, I guess I'll just have to perfect my own recipe, tasting party at my place!!

[mountaindew]

Originally Posted by Sydney Vicious

trolls will always troll. and trolls will always be douchebags.

I sincerely hope a Mod notices this. Keep the viciousness to yourself next time.

Infracted for quote alteration.--mod.

[Sydney Vicious]

oh, I'm terribly sorry if you're offended.
so so sorry for calling a spade a spade.
considering how harshely you speak and how coldly you feel about victims of rape, I'd assumed you'd have a thicker skin. Maybe now that your feelings have been hurt you'll se one billionth of what it's like to be told 'no' by someone because they feel like THEIR beliefs should decide what happens with YOUR body and life.

[Alicia Rose]

Originally Posted by mountaindew

I sincerely hope a Mod notices this. Keep the viciousness to yourself next time.

I already reported YOUR vicious post, [redacted]. [redacted] off and die in a fire.

How's that for vicious?

[Dromond]

Originally Posted by mountaindew

I sincerely hope a Mod notices this. Keep the viciousness to yourself next time.

You were clearly trolling. Suck it up and take it like a man.

[mountaindew]

Originally Posted by Dromond

You were clearly trolling. Suck it up and take it like a man.

Troll I may, troll I might...either way, I have the right.

[mountaindew]

Originally Posted by Sydney Vicious

oh, I'm terribly sorry if you're offended.
so so sorry for calling a spade a spade.

You're indignance doesn't give you a right to act like an ass yourself. Oh well, I shouldn't have expected more from the likes of you.

[Alicia Rose]

Originally Posted by mountaindew

You're indignance doesn't give you a right to act like an ass yourself. Oh well, I shouldn't have expected more from the likes of you.

Isn't this the pot calling the stainless steel kettle black?

[mountaindew]

Originally Posted by Alicia Rose

Isn't this the pot calling the stainless steel kettle black?

I detect subliminal racism Hope the NAACP is onto it.

I thought a thread ended and another began, but Vicious lives up to her character.

[Dromond]

Originally Posted by mountaindew

Troll I may, troll I might...either way, I have the right.

No, you really don't.