After Chick-fil-A's president, Dan Cathy, spoke out against same-sex marriage to the Baptist Press in July, reactions from organizations, politicians and other businesses have erupted both in support of and against the fast-food chain and its stance on marriage.
With a local nearby in Woodbridge, what do local residents think about the issue? The Prince William Chamber of Commerce if they will host Chick-fil-A Chief Operating Officer Dan Cathy in November. Cathy is slated to share pointers on business leadership during the event.
Former presidential candidate Mike Huckabee wants to show his support for the franchise by deeming Wednesday "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day." He is asking supporters to eat at the restaurant, and claims that more than half-a-millon people have RSVP'd to participate.
In response, the LGBT advocacy group GLAAD is organizing protests at various Chick-fil-A locations on the same day. The organization is also promoting Friday as "National Same Sex Kiss Day."
Will the controversy make its way to the Woodbridge Chick-fil-A location, which just ?
Chick-fil-A is not giving any interviews, however, the company released a statement that included the following comments:
"The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect — regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 Restaurants run by independent Owner/Operators. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena."
Tony Perkins, the president of the Family Research Council, which is based in D.C., responded to Cathy's statements by saying: "Join FRC in thanking the Cathys for standing their ground and refusing to be intimidated. Start by clicking over to our "EAT MOR CHIKIN" Facebook post. Then, drive through Chick-fil-A and drive home your support!"
Are you planning on showing support or protesting this week? Have Cathy's comments changed your mind about eating at Chick-fil-A? Tell us in the comments!
1) Hold a press conference 2) Denounce Dan Cathy's words as antithetical to Mr Hevia's beliefs 3) Mention that as a Christian, our job is love our neighbor as we would want to be loved. Our job as Christians is to not judge others situations. 4) Welcome all races, creeds and sexual orientations to his restaurant. If Mr Hevia did that, do you know what he would be? a hero....
Going after Cathy is only hurting these business owners and not Cathy himself. Also, trying to get him to change his views is like "beating a dead horse". It makes no sense because it will never happen. That's just my opinion for whatever it's worth. I have friends on both sides of the fence here and I don't judge them whatever their beliefs. Hate coming from other side is not doing anyone any good. The only thing I was trying to point out was that Mr. Hevia is a very nice man and did not ask for any of this. The one time I did go to his restaurant I had my twins and their gigantic stroller. I did not think through how I was going to do all of this on my own. He kept the babies for me while I was in line, brought our food to the table, brought us high chairs, helped get the babies into them and put the stroller away for me. After we were finished he refilled my drink, got my stroller and helped me leave. I have never been treated so kindly before by a complete stranger.