Watermark Editor Steve Blanchard on the Chick-fil-A controversy.
Watermark’s Jamie Hyman rates the Chick-fil-A memes.
Background:
The president of Chick-fil-A took a public position against same-sex marriage last month, igniting a nationwide controversy.
Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy said in an interview that his privately owned company is “guilty as charged” for supporting what he called the biblical definition of the family unit.
“We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that,” Cathy told the Baptist Press. His comments unleashed a mix of criticism and support.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee called for supporters to patronize the fast food chain. On August 1, thousands showed up for a “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.”
But opponents were equally strident. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino claimed he would prevent Chick-fil-A from locating near Faneuil Hall.
“There is no place for discrimination on Boston's Freedom Trail, and no place for your company alongside it,” he said before clarifying that he could not prevent them from doing business.
Officials in dozens of cities and universities across the nation also distanced themselves from the company.
On Aug. 3, there’s a call for gay couples to take a photo of themselves kissing in front of a Chick-fil-A. Watermark is asking any couples who participate to share their photos.
Chick-fil-A released a statement backpedaling from Cathy's earlier pronouncement.
“The Chick-fil-A tradition is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect”regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.”
The Atlanta-based chain has more than 1,615 restaurants in 39 states and Washington, D.C., with annual sales over $4.1 billion. It has more than two dozen locations in Tampa Bay and Central Florida.
In Orlando, restaurant blogger Scott Joseph tracked down the reputedly gay owner of a Chick-fil-A franchise for anonymous comment.
“We're just in business to sell chicken,” the franchise owner said.
