Tag: Chick-Fil-A

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McDonalds Trolls Chick-Fil-A With “Welcome” Message

A Connecticut McDonalds appeared to be throwing shade at its new neighbor, a Chick-Fil-A restaurant over its history of anti-gay policies
(screen capture)

Did McDonald’s just shade Chick-Fil-A?

A new Chick-Fil-A restaurant is opening in Glastonbury, Connecticut, right next to a McDonalds, and over the weekend, locals noticed a message on the McDonalds sign which read, “We Welcome Everyone.”

In the past, Chick-Fil-A has caught some serious criticism for the owner’s opposition to LGBTQ rights like same-sex marriage.

Founded in 1946 by religiously conservative S. Truett Cathy, and now run by his family, the chain’s policies have often been guided by those beliefs including allowing none of the restaurants to be open on Sundays in order to give employees ‘a day of rest.’

The general manager of the McDonalds told the local NBC affiliate that the sign’s message wasn’t political in nature.

“It just means that everyone is welcome, young old, everyone,” she said.

Most folks liked the message.

Tina Manus of Stratford drove almost an hour to show her support.

“For McDonald’s to step up and say we welcome everyone,” she told NBC. “I feel that is a huge step for them. Then in the background you have Chick-fil-A who has historically not welcomed everyone.”

Zack Caporale of Glastonbury wasn’t feeling it thought.

“I feel like it’s kind of rude to Chick-fil-A because they have Christian beliefs, but that doesn’t mean they have to not accept gay people,” said Caporale.

Jordan Snook, the franchise owner of the new Chick-Fil-A wasn’t quite sure what to think about the McDonalds message but issued a statement which read:

“We are excited to open in Glastonbury next week, and look forward to being great neighbors who welcome everyone. Glastonbury will be representative of all Chick-fil-A restaurants in serving great food and providing remarkable service for all customers, as well as a diverse workplace of individuals who represent many viewpoints, opinions, backgrounds and beliefs.”

(h/t NBC Connecticut)

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News Round-Up: August 27, 2016

Ramin Karimloo

Some news stories you may have missed:

• He sings! He acts! AND he looks like this! Broadway Style Guide shares workout tips from the fabulous Ramin Karimloo, star of Broadway’s “Les Miserables.”

• Despite losing AGAIN in court, Kentucky county clerk Kim Davis refuses to issue marriage license to gay couple for the 3rd time.

• In other Kentucky news, the state’s largest public school district passed important protections for transgender folks.

• Former Will & Grace star will headline the Los Angeles premiere of the hit Broadway play, Act of God.

• Chick-Fil-A may lose chance at Denver Airport location over anti-gay history.

• Former half-term governor of Alaska Sarah Palin is still campaigning to be Donald Trump’s running mate.

• What is it about a man and his horse?

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Chick-Fil-A barred from Ventura high school campus

The principal of a Venture County, California high school has barred a booster club from selling Chick-fil-a sandwiches on campus because of the company’s position on gay marriage.

Chick-Fil-A’s CEO Dan Cathy has famously taken a stand against marriage equality in the past, saying that America is “inviting God’s judgement” by letting gays marry.

CBS Los Angeles reports:

Ventura High School Principal Val Wyatt told the Ventura County Star that the football booster club could not sell Chick-fil-A sandwiches at Wednesday’s back-to-school night because the restaurant’s beliefs could offend some students and their parents.

“With their political stance on gay rights and because the students of Ventura High School and their parents would be at the event, I didn’t want them on campus,” Wyatt told the newspaper.

Every principal has the discretion to invite community groups or businesses onto their campuses.

“We value inclusivity and diversity on our campus and all of our events and activities are going to adhere to our mission,” Ventura Unified School District Superintendent Trudy Tuttle Arriaga said.

While some students didn’t agree with Principal Wyatt, many felt it was the right call. Student Graham Wallace said, “There are gay kids that go to our school, and for them it might be kind of weird,” he said.

Although banned from being sold, Chick-Fil-A is still able to donate to the school’s booster club.

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Tony Perkins: Dan Cathy of Chick-Fil-A is a “coward”

In a strange, topsy-turvy world, Mike Huckabee chats with hate group leader Tony Perkins of the Family Research Council about how those who would keep the LGBT community from having equal rights are somehow the ‘victims’ of attacks on their religious freedoms. See, in their world, it is their right to discriminate against other Americans. And those who would seek to express themselves through their wallets are “economic terrorists.”

During the segment, Tony Perkins calls out Chick-Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy as a “coward” for stepping back from his opposition to marriage equality.

But remember, Tony Perkins and his ilk are the ‘victims’ here.

Joe Jervis of JoeMyGod explains the anti-gay view of boycotts like this:

When major national Christian groups with millions of followers call for boycotts, that is a righteous use of the free market in order to preserve morality, marriage, family, and the American way. But when gay folks call for a boycott, THAT is homofascist intimidation, intolerance, bullying, economic terrorism, a stifling of religious liberty, and an attempt to deny the freedom of speech. And don’t you forget it.

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Chick-Fil-A CEO says he regrets stepping into marriage equality debate

Chick-Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy

In 2012, Chick-Fil-A executive Dan Cathy made several comments opposing same-sex marriage and oversaw his company donate $5 million to anti-gay groups.

The backlash was swift and the media covered the many stages of protest from the pro-gay “Kiss In” at several restaurant locations to an anti-gay countrywide Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.

Now Cathy says he regrets taking the restaurant into the culture wars, and feels he’s learned something along the way. He had this to say recently to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

“I think that’s a political debate that’s going to rage on,” Cathy told the Journal-Constitution in an article published Friday. “And the wiser thing for us to do is to stay focused on customer service.”

That doesn’t mean he didn’t learn anything from the 2012 firestorm, though.

“Every leader goes through different phases of maturity, growth and development and it helps by [recognizing] the mistakes that you make,” Cathy said. “And you learn from those mistakes. If not, you’re just a fool. I’m thankful that I lived through it and I learned a lot from it.”

ThinkProgress reports that Chick-Fil-A has cut back donations to anti-gay groups from $5 million to $25K last year.

That being said, Cathy says his views on marriage haven’t changed.

“I think the time of truths and principles are captured and codified in God’s word and I’m just personally committed to that,” he told the Journal-Constitution. “I know others feel very different from that and I respect their opinion and I hope that they would be respectful of mine.”

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Dan Cathy, Chick-Fil-A owner, tweets then deletes disapproval over DOMA decision

So it looked for a minute there that fast-food chain Chick-fil-A was trying to improve it’s image with the LGBT community by moving away from anti-gay beliefs and practices, but company president and CEO Dan Cathy disproved that myth Wednesday on Twitter.

Responding to the Supreme Court’s rulings on the Defense of Marriage Act and Proposition 8, Cathy tweeted:

Sad day for our nation; founding fathers would be ashamed of our gen. to abandon wisdom of the ages re: cornerstone of strong societies.

And then, lacking the courage of his convictions on LGBT issues, the tweet was quickly deleted.

Chick-fil-A spokeswoman Carrie Kurlander explained that Cathy “has his own views,” but “Chick-fil-A is focused on providing great tasting food and genuine hospitality.”

The distinction may not be very meaningful given that Chick-fil-A is privately owned and Cathy is its owner.

(via ThinkProgress)

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Mario Lopez catches heat for Chick-fil-A tweet

Mario Lopez poses in his new underwear line Rated M

Mario Lopez is catching some heat for tweeting about his affection of Chick-fil-A sandwiches, in spite of the recent uproar over the company’s anti-gay policies.

On October 7 the host of Extra tweeted, “Why does it seem like I always crave Chick-fil-A on Sundays?? #Frustrating.”

In January, Lopez spoke with The Advocate promoting his new underwear line, Rated M, to the gay community and praised his gay fans. When asked how gay fans are different from straight fans, Lopez said, “Gay fans are very loyal. And very cool. I’m honored to be embraced by the gay community. They’re the smartest and the hippest. They determine what’s hot out there.”

Is loyalty a one way street?  Hmm…

(source)

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At Chick-Fil-A: “I kissed a guy and I liked it!”

LOL… I saw this online earlier and I’m sorry it took me a while to post.

I think this guy, Comedian/Actor Skyler Stone, is pretty fab. He sets out with pal/comic Mike Smith to make a statement about Chick-Fil-A’s grotesque opinions on gay marriage.

Both are straight people with a lot of compassion for gay people’s fight against our corporations and our government.

Starring Skyler Stone (Hostel 3, Raising Hope, For Your Consideration, Accepted) and Mike Smith (Second City – Chicago).

Personally, if I was a female, I’d want to date either one. Sense of humor, good looking and they get a sense of inequality. Hot.

Can I get a hurray?