When zillions of 'family values' eaters lined up to support Chick-fil-A on August 1, many conservatives felt the turnout signaled a victory for free speech and Biblical values. While those folks may have won the battle on that day, they didn't (and won't) win the culture war.
Via The Atlantic:
Fried chicken just went back to being delicious as the chain promised to stop "supporting organizations with political agendas," which includes anti-gay groups--a move that's gotten them back into a Chicago's good graces. We learned the news by way of Chicago's The Civil Right Agenda (TCRA) an LGBT-rights advocacy group, who report that Chick-fil-A has penned a letter saying, "The WinShape Foundations is now taking a much closer look at the organizations it considers helping, and in that process will remain true to its stated philosophy of not supporting organizations with political agendas." That letter was addressed to Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno, who along with Boston mayor Thomas Menino, said they would block the chain for its anti-gay views. WinShape is the chain's not-for-profit charitable arm that had previously donated to groups opposing gay marriage. TCRA adds, "In meetings the company executives clarified that they will no longer give to anti-gay organizations, such as Focus on the Family and the National Organization for Marriage."While it's likely that CEO Dan Cathy still hasn't changed his anti-LGBT views, and while Chick-fil-A is in no means pro-equality, it is indeed a victory for humanity in that one of our more delicious fast food chains is no longer funneling its profits into organizations that actively discriminate against the LGBT population.
Will the religious right now boycott Chick-fil-A for caving to the gay agenda?
I would love to see the religious right boycotting. I for one will never eat there, but I'm glad to count this as a small victory, as it shows one day of hate cannot support it on a day to day basis. While their homophobic celebration may have been a boom, and very disheartening to see in a society we do nothing to hurt, it is good to see those that support equality making their impact felt. Maybe it was not all splashy, but in the end the continued support made loud mouthed bigotry NOT pay.
ReplyDeleteYour final question was a really interesting one. Will they indeed? It sets up all sorts of interesting possibilities for observation of behaviour - and "values".
ReplyDeleteI am in agreement with Jamiessmiles - it sounds like the longer-term fallout of their blatant hate was less than beneficial to their bottom line. Meh, these "values" people just about fuel social cynicism all on their own. And I am so glad that, since their commitment to their so-called "values" is so opportunistic, society appears to have shown them that their best interest is not in financing hate.
Not going to be giving them my business still, though.
Another company caves to the Gay Agenda!
ReplyDeleteBoycotts and counter-boycotts get exhausting.
It's always fun to head on over to breitbart or World Net Daily to see what ineffective and downright silly boycott their readers are declaring for that day.
Wait! Did a TV ad feature two people in bed without wedding rings on? Boycott!
For better or worse, I don't have that kind of time on my hands.