If You Really Love LGBTQ People, You Just Can't Keep Eating Chick-fil-A

[oberliner]

Excerpt:

Excuses I’ve heard for continuing to eat at Chick-fil-A range from a nonchalant dismissal of the issue (“In the grand scheme of things, eating there isn’t really that big of a deal and we have bigger problems to worry about”) to an all-or-nothing paradigm (“I can’t possibly avoid all of the problematic companies out there, so why should I worry about this one?”) to a simple admittance that the siren song of the company’s kitchens has proven impossible to ignore (“I know I shouldn’t eat there but it’s just too good not to!”).

To all of these flimsy justifications, I say, “Bullshit.” If you care about queer people ― or you yourself are queer ― you have absolutely no business eating at Chick-fil-A. Ever. It’s really that straightforward.

If you’re arguing there are other (arguably bigger) fish (or, in this case, chicken) to fry, you may not be wrong. However, I think you’re underestimating my (and probably your) ability to be angry about ― and take action against ― more than one target at once. Just because Chick-fil-A may not be as “bad” (in your view) as the Trump administration (or countless other folks or corporations), that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t challenge Chick-fil-A on its anti-queer stance while continuing to call out and work against other offensive and/or dangerous entities.

Any effort or energy you dedicate to not filling Chick-fil-A’s queerphobic coffers does not compromise your ability to simultaneously do the same with other opponents. Surely, like me, you have enough ― and are, sadly, constantly generating more ― outrage to spread around whenever and wherever it may be needed.

https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/lgbtq-eating-chick-fil-a_us_5b1fb4cee4b09d7a3d770c81

[BigmanPigman]

1. I have boycotted Dominos pizza for a while

So I just googled which chains people boycott due to the politics of the owner's. Chick-fil-A was #1 on the list. They are followed by Carl's Jr, Domino's Pizza, White Castle and Waffle House.

https://www.salon.com/2012/07/24/right_wingers_food_companies_salpart/

[oberliner]

4. Thanks for sharing that

I'm continuing to get more informed about this sort of thing.

[BigmanPigman]

5. You need to read this list that I've had for a year.

I think it would be easier to just list the companies that we can still continue to do business with.
https://grabyourwallet.org/

[oberliner]

7. Will do

Thanks for sharing.

[muntrv]

30. I guess I'll have to add Dickey's BBQ to the list.

[d_r]

31. this is six years old

I think that carl's jr. is also hardee's now.

[Blue_true]

40. What's with White C? Never ate there, don't appeal to me. nt

[democratisphere]

2. Already don't eat at Chick-fil-A.

Separation of Church and Ate. Now I have another reason not to eat there.

[mucifer]

3. I don't eat there because they are anti LGBTQ and anti animal

not much a vegan can eat there.

I love LGBTQ people and I love animals so no chick fil a

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

6. Not a problem.

I last ate there probably 30-35 years ago. Didn't like the food then and never saw any reason to return.

[tazkcmo]

52. I hear that

The worse chicken sandwich I ever had besides McDonald's "chicken" sandwich.

[Exotica]

8. They had a one day pop-up in London 2 years ago, in Swiss Cottage if you know the area, and a lot

of LGBTQ protesters came out. I hope they stay the hell out of the EU.

Oh, and FUCK Marco Rubio too!

Link to tweet

[DownFromTheMountain]

9. One just opened around the corner...

But I'm not going in!

[DesertRat]

10. There's one 2 miles from my house

I’ve never eaten there, never will.

[Gothmog]

11. I have been boycotting this chain for a long while for this reason

My youngest is LGBT and I will continue to boycott this chain

[BlueTsunami2018]

12. I can't boycott them.

Because I’ve never eaten there once.

[TlalocW]

13. What if I take their money and get food for free

Because I'm hired every now and then to twist balloons there?

Last time was before the big kerfuffle when no one knew what the founder was like.

I remember conservative friends sending out pictures of Sarah Palin and family proudly holding up their meal when the first protests were going on. I pissed them off by replying "It's good to see Palin supporting a gay-friendly company like Coca-Cola. Good on her." It honestly put some of them in a bind because if they were supporting Chick-Fil-A over being anti-gay, some were honest enough with themselves that drinking Coke would mean being pro-gay.

TlalocW

[yonder]

14. The first CFA's opened here a few years back.

We've never eaten there and likely never will - along with Outback, Red Lobster, Papa John's, Outback, etc. More and more, we try and keep it local.

[LSFL]

15. I dont eat there

Bigotry leaves a bitter aftertaste in my mouth.

Btw.....you can easily replicate the recipe at home. You can even improve on it and make it healthier.

And f*** those stupid commercials.

[mercuryblues]

16. I haven't eaten there since I found out the religious beliefs

which was way before their anti-gay kerfuffle. If anyone took a serious look at the religious beliefs, being anti-gay would not have come as a surprise. Supporting end-of-timers with my $$$, uhm nope.

their food ehh, but I really miss their lemonade.

[Amishman]

17. I'll still eat there on occasion, mainly because they are usually the cleanest fast food

When on the road for business and only have time for fast food, I'll end up stopping there on occasion as I've found they are the only fast food chain which consistently is clean and well maintained. I've gotten sick off most of their competitors.

If I'm in an area where I know more places (and their cleanliness), I will avoid them.

[FBaggins]

19. If I'm going to eat "fast food"... then they're near the top of my list

They aren't just consistently the cleanest option. Their food is also tasty and (compared to other FF options) is the freshest and healthiest anywhere near their price range. The local CFAs are active in their communities and the service I've seen is unfailingly polite. I know of multiple LGBTQ people who work there and who love their jobs and the people they work with and say that they have never been mistreated or felt uncomfortable. They were the ones who told me the story of the Pulse club shooting aftermath in Orlando where people waiting in line to donate blood were surprised to see Chick-Fil-A open up (on a Sunday!) to feed them for free.

I think I'll take their advice over someone on the internet that doesn't agree with some donation the founder of the company made.

[oberliner]

21. There are many LGBTQ people who work for Republicans

I am sure they can tell you that they love their party and have never been mistreated or felt uncomfortable working for Republicans.

Many conservative Republicans on the religious right are unfailingly polite and would donate blood to those in need, regardless of their sexual orientation.

However, they still oppose gay marriage and believe abortion should be illegal - and so does the ownership of Chik-Fil-A.

In the case of Chik-Fil-A, they not only believe these things but they spend large sums of money promoting them.

[FBaggins]

23. The way you phrased it doesn't come close to boycott-worthy for me

If merely disagreeing with you is enough for you to not want to do business with a company... then I think you shouldn't do business with them.

But it's a great leap from there to a claim that to do otherwise means that you don't love some people. This isn't a company that refuses to serve people based on orientation or abortion beliefs... nor one that bases employment decisions on those things. Nor have I seen donations that add up to "promoting" the opposition of abortion or gay marriage.

The great irony of the whole debate is that I'm told that the days there are "boycotts" end up being their busiest days.

[ooky]

49. For me its not about love, its about not having anything against people that are different from me

which I think is just plain stupid to be that way.

I like their chicken, but if I ever see them refuse to serve someone for being anything but an asshole, then I will boycott them too.

[HAB911]

18. I would never eat there

[sarcasmo]

20. Right on.

[Aristus]

22. I haven't eaten at Chik-Fil-A since I lived in Texas.

And that was over thirty years ago. Have no plans to ever eat there again.

[mainer]

24. I don't get the Chick-fil-A fans. Their sandwiches are meh

If you want a good chicken sandwich, order a McDonalds premium chicken sandwich. You can get it with guacamole, and it has lettuce and tomato. Not just a stupid pickle.

[crazycatlady]

42. I actually liked their chicken sandwiches

Of course I like my sandwiches plain and would order them without the pickle. The chicken was cooked just right, juicy not dry.

I gave up meat in December, but do miss that.

[cynatnite]

25. I had to go there once...

My RW sister and her kids wanted to eat there and there we went. It was crowded and hot. The food was bland.

If they insist on going there on the next visit I'm taking them elsewhere and making it my treat. My sister will go along if it means she doesn't have to pay for it. She lies about her money all the time.

[bearsfootball516]

26. I don't go often, but their peach milkshake is damn good.

I’m a fan of the chicken too.

[oberliner]

32. Does their donating large sums of $$ to anti-LGBTQ groups bother you at all?

[bearsfootball516]

33. I don't like what their CEO stands for, no.

But I'm also not going to be bullied into not going to a fast food restaurant.

[MrScorpio]

28. My thing is Popeyes...

Who needs Chick-Fil-A?

[el_bryanto]

29. I do my best not to find out anything about the political affiliation of any place that i like to

eat out. For about the same reason I avoid learning about musicians or directors I enjoy.

I don't eat at Chic-Fil-A though - the food is ok, but I am on a low sodium diet now so tends to be out of my daily sodium budget.

Bryant

[Blue_Adept]

34. I only had it a couple of times visiting down south as there weren't any in new england

for the most part. But they've made a greater push in the last few years and one is more accessible the next town over. I hit it up maybe a couple of times a year (with my gay daughter, no less) because the food is just delicious. I don't see that stopping. I miss Papa Johns too as the local franchise closed a few years ago. I like a lot of pizza in general but this was just appealing, convenient, and cheap as hell.

[oberliner]

35. Does their donating large sums of $$ to anti-LGBTQ groups bother you at all?

[Blue_Adept]

36. Yup. It does. But nearly every corporation donates to things I don't like.

[FBaggins]

38. Is that the full range of nuance for you?

Either you boycott a company or nothing anyone related to them ever did bothers you at all?

[Jake Stern]

37. In the same way I enjoy Clint Eastwood movies despite his being far, far right

I like the food at Chik-fil-a despite the Truett's religious beliefs.

[Blue_true]

39. I am straight. Never been to a Chick-FIL-A.

Never will buy anything from one.

[MineralMan]

41. I've never been in one. Now, there are some in the Twin Cities,

but none near anyplace I go around lunchtime, so no worries. It's just another fast food place I don't patronize.

[wonkwest]

43. Am gay, I eat there. Don't care.

This idea that someone else will curate my life choices for me is anathema.

If you don't want to eat there, by all means. But trying to shame others or call them anti-LGBT is ridiculous.

Do you have a smart phone? Why don't you care about the virtual slavery of the people making them?!

Do you have anything made in China? Why don't you care about human rights abuses?!

And on and on and on.

There are plennnnnnty of companies in this interconnected national and world economy that do things and give money to causes and politicians we don't personally like.

Do you boycott all of them? Really? All of them?

Somehow, somewhere, Chik-Fil-A' got a bug up someone's ass, and social media have determined now that none of us can eat there.

Well, the day I let social media tell me how to behave will never arrive.

Boycott, by all means. I choose differently. But I guess, as a gay individual heavily involved in LGBT politics, I don't really love my people because I like an occasional chicken sandwich.

We're becoming a dumb, mob-fuelled society. We can thank social media for this one.

[GulfCoast66]

45. Well said.

I know a couple of liberals, including my sister who bitch about them being closed on Sunday. I have not figured out why that bothers them.

[wonkwest]

48. Safeway gives far more to Republicans than Democrats

I guess I shouldn't go grocery shopping either.

I also just bought jeans from Target (more to Republicans than Democrats) and some hair stuff from Amazon (more to Republicans than Democrats, and those labor practices).

These boycotts are picked arbitrarily, usually because someone said something somewhere, it got picked up on social media, and now we are not morally sound people if we aren't boycotting.

If people actually lived according to these principles - across the board - we'd all be monks living in caves somewhere.

The hyper-emotionalism of the author in the OP is ridiculous. I'm almost embarrassed for him. If you want to boycott, boycott.

But don't come at me with that shit if I make different choices.

[bearsfootball516]

46. You've hit the nail on the head.

[FBaggins]

50. Bravo

Love that first sentence. "Curate my life choices" indeed.

Planning on using that.

[GulfCoast66]

44. Sorry, I do not do the boycott thing.

Dig deep enough and I doubt there is a single business, big or small, that does not do or support something I disagree with.

That said, I do not much like Chick-fil-a. Will always choose Popeyes instead. I am sure some of their franchises are owned by right wing tools as well.

[Awsi Dooger]

47. I refuse to eat there

I think it's been 7 years.

Likewise I quit Papa John's due to the asshole in charge, and more recently I dumped Arby's when the company refused to dump sponsorship of Laura Ingraham.

[fescuerescue]

51. I'm running out of things to boycot

At this rate I'll be Amish soon.

[MFM008]

53. Never eaten there

They just opened a new one here. Ill never eat there.