Why it’s Not JUST Chicken

I just read a blog the other day written by a momma (who’s also a lawyer) about her take on the issue. She is admittedly quite a fan of Chick-Fil-A which doean’t bother me. She will not stop eating there. Again, doesn’t bother me. She recognized that the Constitution protects our right to free speech and the owner of the company is protected by that. Agreed. However then she went on to say that she “admire(s) the owner’s bravery” for standing up for his beliefs.

WHUCK?!

It’s been a while since I’ve written about being a multi-cultural family and despite feeling like I wanted to refocus on those aspects of our family on this blog, nothing has jumped out and I don’t want to force it.

And then I read this. And though I’m way behind the news cycle I just couldn’t bite my tongue on this one.

And though we are not a LGBT family we have many friends that are and this is something that effects the world that our children will inherit. This IS the civil rights issue of our time.

Many may argue that being LGBT is not cultural. Many more may argue that gay rights are not the same as the historic Civil Rights movement. But I am not one of those people.

Dan Cathy, COO of Chick-Fil-A, is absolutely entitled to his opinions and voicing those opinions are within his rights. However his bigoted views should not be admired. And he certainly should not be held up as being “brave” for being a bigot.

That’s like calling George Wallace brave for saying that Alabama will always be segregated. Think about it. It’s the same type and amount of bigotry. And because one man is a politician and one is a businessman is no different. Using their platforms, be it the state capitol or thousands of drive-thru windows in America, their are using their power and position to promote hate.

The city aldermans and mayors that have publicly blocked Chick-Fil-A  in Boston, Chicago and San Francisco are the brave ones in my book. These politicians will be on the right side of history when the dust settles and the inevitable occurs. Because make no mistake, the equal rights of all individuals, be they black, white, Hispanic, gay, straight, male, female, Muslim or Christian will be confirmed. And though it will take hard work and time to get there, it is inevitable that we recognize equality for all.

In reality ours is a family that would not have been possible only a generation ago. My parents weren’t even legally able to marry in some states until the 1970′s. That’s only 30-something years ago. Michael’s parents, being from two very different cultures, though not illegal, was certainly not the norm or widely accepted.

For us, diversity is not just something you train for. It is our entire lives. Our entire families. Our wonderfully, beautifully blended children.

These same beautiful children who will grow up with multi-cultural friends. With friends that have two moms or two dads. With friends that speak different languages or eat different foods. Because that is the reality of the world that we live in.

Can you imagine if you couldn’t marry someone you loved? Because the law said so. Because of rich bigots that sell chicken tell you that God said you can’t marry? And pay for political representation to reflect their bigoted views?

I cannot. And I will not and cannot support such a business. Nor will I teach my children that it is brave to stand up for your beliefs when your beliefs have such hateful and negative effects on people. Not in my house.

Shit, I don’t shop at Walmart for less than what this man is saying.

Thankfully there are no Chick-Fil-A restaurants near us. And if there is one, well, they will not be getting our dollars until they change their tunes.