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LGBT Activists Take On Chick-Fil-A With PDA Protest

By: Armando Trull // August 3, 2012
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It's rare that a chicken sandwich is found at the center of a national debate about civil rights and free speech.
Adam Kuban: http://www.flickr.com/photos/slice/335970528/
It's rare that a chicken sandwich is found at the center of a national debate about civil rights and free speech.

You may see gay couples at Chick-fil-A holding hands, smooching, or engaging in other public displays of affection. It's the latest phase of a spat between the restaurant chain and the LGBT community.

The chain's president, Dan Kathy, is a devout Christian and has contributed nearly $1 million, through Chick-fil-A, to groups that oppose same-sex marriage and other LGBT issues.

But the chicken feathers really hit the fan when Kathy went on a Christian radio talkshow and said same-sex marriage will "bring down God's punishment down on America."

Gay activists begged to differ. God hasn't sent plagues, floods or locusts to the countries where same-sex marriage is legal, including the District.

On Wednesday, supporters of Kathy's statements organized "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day," turning out in droves to sample chicken and support the company. The organized kiss-in today at the restaurant chain is the LGBT supporters' response.

The activists aren't calling for a boycott of the change, but they want consumers to know where their dollars might be going when they buy a chicken sandwich. For most people, it's a free speech issue. Kathy can say whatever he wants and say whatever he chooses, and the activists can call him out on it.

Let the chicken sandwich buyer beware.

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