Chick-Fil-A Banned From Boston For Anti-Gay Stance, Mayor Says Bigoted Chain Unwelcome

Chick-Fil-A’s public relations nightmare continues, as the City of Boston has told the chain that it is no longer welcome to open locations in the Massachusetts capital following a reiteration of anti-gay ideals.

In recent weeks, Chick-Fil-A has tried to assuage backlash against the company by backpedaling its anti-gay rhetoric on Facebook. But then the controversy exploded when the Muppets vocally cut ties with Chick-Fil-A over the company’s habit of funding anti-gay groups, and Chick-Fil-A responded by claiming Muppets toys were voluntarily recalled for safety reasons, even seemingly planting fake Facebook users to report that toys had been pulled “weeks ago.”

It seems that whatever way Chick-Fil-A tries to wriggle out of being called to account for toxic views, the company lands itself in even hotter water. And now the entirety of Boston is not allowing any Chick-Fil-A branches to come to the city, as per the mayor, due to the fact that the company has publicized anti-gay views.

Boston Mayor Tom Menino didn’t mince words when it came to Chick-Fil-A’s controversial platform, saying in an interview that the company is not welcome in Boston. Menino explained:

“Chick-fil-A doesn’t belong in Boston. You can’t have a business in the city of Boston that discriminates against a population. We’re an open city, we’re a city that’s at the forefront of inclusion.”

Here’s The Letter Where Boston Mayor Tells Chick Fil-A To Stay The Cluck Out Of His Town bit.ly/PnfR6y

— consumerist (@consumerist) July 25, 2012

It’s crazy. Boston and Chicago are denying Chick-Fil-A permits to establish restaurants in certain neighborhood. Who’s discriminating again?

— Alex Hitchens (@BigJuice216) July 25, 2012

Menino added:

“If they need licenses in the city, it will be very difficult — unless they open up their policies.”

Further, Menino said:

“It doesn’t send the right message to the country,” Menino said. “We’re a leader when it comes to social justice and opportunities for all.”

Below is an image Boston Mayor Tom Menino wrote to Chick-Fil-A about their policies — is the city right to ban Chick-Fil-A, or is it violating the company’s First Amendment rights?

A powerful letter from Boston’s Mayor Tom Menino to the homophobic president of Chick-fil-A: bit.ly/QjfWvg

— Jordan Bach (@JordanBach) July 25, 2012