Chick-Fil-A’s gay marriage stance was the center of a huge food fight in the US last summer as CEO Dan Cathy made some comments about marriage equality that sat quite poorly with supporters but rallied same-sex marriage opponents to flood their restaurants in “appreciation.”
Eventually, the Chick-Fil-A gay marriage controversy died down, but the debate remains — eventually, it played out again, most recently on Facebook when users in the millions changed their profile avatar to the Facebook red equal sign in a show of solidarity for marriage equality.
As the marriage equality debate seems to shift and grow and change, the Chick-Fil-A gay marriage debate remains a tiny footnote. And while the chance is minimal we will reach a point of agreement in public sentiment any time soon, some of the more touching moments of the debate came when people seemingly of one side reached out with messages of support or understanding for the other.
A California Chick-Fil-A outlet did just that this week, passing out coupons for free food to supporters of marriage equality at a rally in the state. Corey Braun, who owns the Rancho Cucamonga Chick-Fil-A, later said that he wants everyone to know the chain doesn’t hate or discriminate, despite the controversy.
Braun said:
“I wanted to show that Chick-fil-A doesn’t discriminate against anybody. We serve everyone. We’re happy to serve the community and this was an opportunity to have this group come in and show them our hospitality regardless of their beliefs, sexual orientation, or whatever.”
Eden Anderson heads up a local LGBT group, and said that Braun’s support was “surreal.” Anderson explained:
“We got quiet and we were listening, and with some skepticism. But really, what I experienced with the community, is when people are open and apologetic and accepting, it’s touching to us.”
Anderson continued:
“What I experienced with the community, is when people are open and apologetic and accepting, it’s touching to us. It feels like acceptance and we just want to be accepted and engaged in society, so when it’s confirmed, I think the overall reaction was, yes, certainly that Chick-fil-A in Rancho Cucamonga is welcoming to us. ”
Does the actions of the California Chick-Fil-A change your mind on their gay marriage position?
