37 replies to this topic

[Karlis]

Chick-fil-A Anti-Gay Controversy: Gay Employees Speak Out

Chick-fil-A has long come under fire from activists for giving millions to groups that advocate against gay rights and even support ex-gay therapy, but the fire has ratcheted up in recent weeks, following interviews in which Cathy said he was “guilty as charged” of supporting “the biblical definition of the family unit" and that gay marriage invites "God's judgment on our nation."

Now, Chick-fil-A sits at the center of furious debate over same-sex marriage, gay rights and free speech, with politicians, activists, and newspaper editorial boards weighing in from all sides.

"It seems like very few people have stopped to think about who actually works for Chick-fil-A and what those people's opinions are," he wrote. "They are putting us in a pot and coming to support us or hate us based on something they heard and assume we agree with."

Several of the gay and lesbian employees interviewed by The Huffington Post said that they liked their work, and had never witnessed incidents of homophobia or discrimination on the job. But Chick-fil-A restaurants are operated by independent owners, and employee experience can vary widely depending on the person running a particular chain.
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Has this issue turned into an agenda for Gays, and into an agenda for anti-gays? Please discuss.

[Hilander]

Personally I think what Cathy does with his own money is his business just like it your business what you do with yours and what causes you support with it but its my right not to eat there if I don't like it.  If he is discriminating against gays by not hiring them, which doesn't seem to be the case, then that's different.

Edited by Hilander, 02 August 2012 - 06:27 PM.

[ImaLoner]

My concern has been for the employees all along.  Let's face it.  The job prospects out there are getting slimmer.  The people who work there.. Well, I don't think they work there because it was their lifelong dream to work in fast food.  Most are either unqualified for other types of work, working there as a means to support themselves while they attend school, or they have lost their jobs elsewhere and haven't been able to find anything in the field where they used to work (though some may really like working with food or some are working there as a means to supplement their retirement income).  The people who work there need the money, or they wouldn't be working at all.  Sadly, this is a time in history where people can't afford to be picky about where they work, simply because of the lack of jobs.  For those whose principles outweigh their need for money - I find that an admirable quality.  If locations closed due to lack of business, those employees would be the ones hurt the most by it.

At its core, I don't think all of this is about an agenda for the majority of either side.  I think it's a reflection of all of the frustrations which have built up in this country.  People are becoming restless.. What, with mounting debt, the economy going to crap, unemployment rates being so high, people losing their homes/possessions, more people having to depend on government assistance to just barely make it, soaring fuel prices, corrupt politicians, people not feeling they have a real voice anymore in reference to how their own government is operated, cost of living making it nearly impossible to break even given people's current earnings, and a plethora of other issues not mentioned (I frankly could sit here for a long time adding to this list).  If someone is already agitated by so much, it's no wonder that eventually there will be a breaking point.  It's no wonder that people will eventually snap.  Not to say that those who are protesting don't have a valid point and not to say that those who are protesting the protesters don't either.  I think that the current mind-set over the other issues exacerbates the Chick-Fil-A issue.

[Clyde the Glyde]

Of course it's now a gay-rights issue. But it never should have been. It should have been a 1st Amendment rights issue.  But the so-called tolerant GLBT community had to have a big hissy fit over it and show their true in-tolerance.  Then it boiled into a PC rebellion. People sick and tired of Political Correctness.   And now the upcoming gay kiss & grope fest. That's just plain juvenile.

[FurthurBB]

Clyde the Glyde, on 02 August 2012 - 07:18 PM, said:

Of course it's now a gay-rights issue. But it never should have been. It should have been a 1st Amendment rights issue.  But the so-called tolerant GLBT community had to have a big hissy fit over it and show their true in-tolerance.  Then it boiled into a PC rebellion. People sick and tired of Political Correctness.   And now the upcoming gay kiss & grope fest. That's just plain juvenile.

If you are sick of PC than you do not understand what it means.  It is not about your first amendment rights, it is about having enough brain cells to realize that you can say what you mean without being ignorant.  If you cannot figure this out, don't make public speeches or expect some backlash for your ignorance.  This started with a company that lied to cover up why they had to stop offering a certain toy, then made ignorant comments blaming religious beliefs to try and justify their behavior.  If it was about women, you had better bet I would be angry.  When did lying and ignorance become a religious value?

[Darkwind]

Hilander, on 02 August 2012 - 06:26 PM, said:

Personally I think what Cathy does with his own money is his business just like it your business what you do with yours and what causes you support with it but its my right not to eat there if I don't like it.  If he is discriminating against gays by not hiring them, which doesn't seem to be the case, then that's different.

Is Cathy giving his actually money or the companies money, there is a difference.  From what the gay workers said it didn't sound like a comfortable friendly place for them to work.   When you hire someone usually you don't know their sexual orientation.  Sometimes companies are good at pushing people out without actually firing.

[Mike D boy]

Chick-Fil-A broke the unwritten rule of politics (or religion) and business don't mix, and look where they are going...down, just like their stock will go lower than Facebook's disastrous dive. I never set foot in Chick-Fil-A, except we don't have one in the Palm Springs area...and I recommend sonic, dairy queen and Foster's Freeze (even In-n-Out burger), whoever isn't publically funding anti-gay marriage groups trying to prevent people's rights to get married like striaght people can.

[Ugly1]

Personally I agree with Cathy on his view that marriage should be as described in the bible.

However,  some of these employees have stated that people are going in talking about ****** this, and homo that. I personally find this disgusting. One should not have to worry about name calling, racism, or any of that sorts while they are at work. For most people,  we would rather be at home with our families. I feel if you want to support Chic-Fil-A, support it by eating there. Nobody is benefiting from hearing all of this badmouthing from both sides. Eat there or don't eat there, but don't be a jerk about it. Show a little class. If you cannot speak 3 words without dropping some form of profanity, you probably shouldn't be voicing your opinion.

[Ugly1]

Clyde the Glyde, on 02 August 2012 - 07:18 PM, said:

Of course it's now a gay-rights issue. But it never should have been. It should have been a 1st Amendment rights issue.  But the so-called tolerant GLBT community had to have a big hissy fit over it and show their true in-tolerance.  Then it boiled into a PC rebellion. People sick and tired of Political Correctness.   And now the upcoming gay kiss & grope fest. That's just plain juvenile.

I agree. I do not disrespect other peoples families by making out and groping my wife in public. That is about respect. The fact that the Gay and Lesbian community is even planning to do a kiss/grope off shows the mentality of the people that would be so disrespectful to do such a thing.

[Imaginarynumber1]

Ugly1, on 03 August 2012 - 02:45 AM, said:

Personally I agree with Cathy on his view that marriage should be as described in the bible.

Just out of curiosity, which version of marriage in the bible do you support?

[Ugly1]

I think we both know what I meant by that. You did find a great way to post in your picture that I'm sure gave you a Eureka moment when you found it. Lol. Strange, nowhere in any of those described is man w/ man, or woman w/ woman.

Also, us Christians tend to follow the New Testament. The gospels of Jesus Christ.

[Ugly1]

Imaginarynumber1, on 03 August 2012 - 03:07 AM, said:

Just out of curiosity, which version of marriage in the bible do you support?

I think another thing worth noting is that out of all that I typed, that is the only thing that you addressed. You addressed nothing about the lack of respect that the gay community would show to everyone by groping and kissing in public. This is going to be in front of peoples children, yet you think you can justify this? How would you feel (Assuming you are homosexual) if random strangers started making out and groping in front of you and your partners adopted love child?

[Imaginarynumber1]

Ugly1, on 03 August 2012 - 03:56 AM, said:

I think another thing worth noting is that out of all that I typed, that is the only thing that you addressed. You addressed nothing about the lack of respect that the gay community would show to everyone by groping and kissing in public. This is going to be in front of peoples children, yet you think you can justify this? How would you feel (Assuming you are homosexual) if random strangers started making out and groping in front of you and your partners adopted love child?

I didn't address the other part of your post because I don't feel like continuously debating this issue. We've done that on the other thread, remember? Also, I am not a homosexual and were I, I could care less if people make out in front of me. God forbid if children ever find out about sex. It's not like they're banging each other in public. People make out all the time. Who cares?

Edit. Sorry. Saw your response.

Edited by Imaginarynumber1, 03 August 2012 - 04:05 AM.

[Imaginarynumber1]

Ugly1, on 03 August 2012 - 03:51 AM, said:

I think we both know what I meant by that. You did find a great way to post in your picture that I'm sure gave you a Eureka moment when you found it. Lol. Strange, nowhere in any of those described is man w/ man, or woman w/ woman.

I was quite proud of the opportunity to use that picture. It gave me a warm fuzzy feeling inside not unlike a good whiskey. And I actually exclaimed "Eureka!" when I posted it. True story.

Quote

Also, us Christians tend to follow the New Testament. The gospels of Jesus Christ.

So then you won't follow the old testament laws, right? The ones that have the problems with gay people. Nowhere is anything mentioned in the new testament save for a remark about Sodom and Gomorrah, but only as an example of inhospitality to strangers.

[Ugly1]

Imaginarynumber1, on 03 August 2012 - 04:04 AM, said:

I didn't address the other part of your post because I don't feel like continuously debating this issue. We've done that on the other thread, remember? Also, I am not a homosexual and were I, I could care less if people make out in front of me. God forbid if children ever find out about sex. It's not like they're banging each other in public. People make out all the time. Who cares?

Edit. Sorry. Saw your response.

Well I have a two year old son. I get to decide when he learns about sex, not some homosexual couple trying to make a statement against a chicken fast food chain.