Last week, former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee announced Aug. 1 will be Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. Huckabee, who is against gay marriage, wants to celebrate the restaurant chain’s anti-gay marriage stance. But gay rights groups are fighting back. On the same day, gay rights supporters will be running Marriage Equality Day.
The idea behind Marriage Equality Day is that instead of going to Chick-fil-A and buying a combo meal, which is typically about $6.50, supporters should instead donate $6.50 to their favorite gay rights organizations.
The event is being backed by the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) and Equality Ohio, among other gay rights groups.
The controversy with Chick-Fil-A has been ongoing. Two weeks ago, Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy declared his support for the traditional family. A week after, the Jim Henson Company, known for the Muppets, cut its ties with Chick-Fil-A.
But social conservatives are not happy with the backlash against Chick-fil-A, and they have come to the defense of the restaurant chain. Former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin made a stop to Chick-fil-A late last week, and she tweeted photos of the visit. Palin will be joining Huckabee and other gay rights opponents in Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day. During the day, gay rights opponents will be eating at Chick-fil-A to show support for the company’s stance.
Chick-fil-A has long been known for its religious values. The organization closes on Sundays, and the company’s corporate purpose statement invokes God: “To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us."
In other same-sex marriage news, Democratic sources told multiple news organizations yesterday the Democratic Party would be adopting gay marriage in the official party platform. The new platform echoes President Barack Obama’s endorsement of gay marriage earlier this year.
