Protesters Say Chick-fil-A Has Anti-Gay Policies
About 30 demonstrators gather Saturday afternoon at the new Hollywood eatery.
Photos
Holding up picket signs and handing out fliers, about 30 protesters showed up early Saturday afternoon at the new Hollywood Chick-fil-A to demonstrate against what they call the restaurant’s support of anti-gay policies.
The protesters say Chick-fil-A donates money to groups, including Focus on the Family and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, that oppose gay rights.
“It’s about civil rights,” said Ken Howard, one of the organizers. “It’s not anti-Christian. It’s pro-civil rights and against hate groups.”
Although some passers-by blew horns in support of the protesters, others did not allow the picketers to stand in the way of their chicken meals. A drive-thru line that wrapped around Highland Avenue was proof.
Abbi Hamilton, who ate at the new Chick-fil-A for the first time today, wasn’t sure how she felt about the protest.
“I want to go home and do my own research,” Hamilton said. “You can find something wrong with anything.”
Jenn Schilling, with a Chick-fil-A bag in hand, is a transplant from Atlanta, Chick-fil-A’s home base. She said she applauds the efforts of the protesters.
“I think they’re right, and I’m proud of them for showing up and bringing awareness,” Schilling said.
Reynold Watkins, another organizer, helped distribute fliers that read in part, “say no to homophobia.”
“We hope to get the word out that Chick-fil-A has been funding gay groups especially the lie that there are no gay people just people who make immoral lifestyle choices,” Watkins said.
Chick-fil-A representatives would not publicly comment on today’s protest, instead referring to a prepared statement that reads:
“At Chick-fil-A, we have a genuine commitment to hospitality for all of our guests. We are not anti-anybody and have no agenda, policy or position against anyone as some continue to confuse with misleading reports. We have a 65-year history of providing hospitality for all people and, as a dedicated family business, serving and valuing everyone regardless of their beliefs or opinions. We support a number of organizations that enrich the communities where we serve daily. Some of these organizations are faith-based and marriage focused and others are not. These donations have not been given to support an anti-gay political agenda.”
David Phi, who works in the area, said he doesn't understand why people are protesting in the first place.
“It’s just wrong,” he said. “Because why are you going against a company’s morals?”
stephen ward
9:16 am on Sunday, September 25, 2011
ERIC SANJURJO?
He works for the city of San Pedro w/ Janice Hahn. Councilwoman representing the 15th district and now the U.S. Representative from California's 36th congressional district?
I agree with one of the comments, we will find something wrong with everything or anyone if we look hard enough! Lets see...In and Out Burger, Kentucky Fried Chicken, McDonalds, Wendy's,.....
Larry
3:13 am on Thursday, October 13, 2011
I never heard of "the City of San Pedro" Council District 15 is in the City of Los Angeles.
Ken Howard LCSW
1:23 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
As the organizer of Saturday's protest, I encourage everyone to read the EXACT report of which groups Chick-Fil-A funds, and what those organizations do to specifically work AGAINST ALL forms of gay rights -- from marriage equality, to domestic partner benefits, to hospital visitation, to hate crimes laws, and even school anti-bullying programs. Their rhetoric emboldens bullies and teaches hate, which leads to gay teen suicides. Don't just read comments here, or believe Chick-Fil-A's LIES to protect their PR and their profits. READ the expose' article, HERE: http://equalitymatters.org/factcheck/201103220004
Gay_in_DB
8:18 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
Ken Howard, it's people like you who are "bullying" Chick-fil-A. Gay far-left liberals have been screaming about this since January 2011, but it hasn't been hurting Chick-fil-A's bottom line at all. In fact, Chick-fil-A is rapidly expanding in Southern California (they are opening in Northridge soon), and EVERYWHERE they have opened in SoCal, they have been doing amazingly well.
Why? It's because of their product & customer service, NOT because of their stance on gay issues.
Instead of hating on Chick-fil-A, why not engage the company in a productive conversation, and encourage Chick-fil-A to make a donation to a pro-gay group? Since Chick-fil-A is very Christian-oriented, perhaps they might be willing to make a small donation to a pro-gay Christian group, like the "Gay Christian Network", for example (http://www.gaychristian.net/)
Did you at least approach Chick-fil-A with such a compromise before staging this boycott?
resident90068
12:50 am on Monday, September 26, 2011
Ken, I got a coupon here: http://fastfoodcouponsdelivered.com and I'm going. It should be noted that I believe the site where Chick-Fil-A is used to be a Carl's Jr. When Carl's Jr was owned by the Karcher Family they gave tons of money to Pro-Life/Anti-Abortion groups and I don't recall anyone protesting then. And I'm confused again. What is the LCSW? "Let Chickens Stay Wherever"?
Gay_in_DB
6:21 am on Monday, September 26, 2011
@resident90068, "LCSW" stands for "licensed clinical social worker." Although given Mr. Howard's outspoken gay activism, I wonder how he would rationally deal with a client or colleague who is personally against same-sex marriage without calling it "hate."
Ken Howard LCSW
1:28 am on Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Following up, 11/1/11: They CONTINUE their donations to anti-gay hate groups, even in 2009, the latest year for which public donation tax records are available! http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/11/01/Chick_fil_A_Gave_Nearly_2M_to_Antigay_Groups_Just_in_2009/
Ronda Jordan
8:02 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
Since they're big on helping the communities in which they've placed their restaurants and locations in which they're making their fortune, I think this new CFA needs to be overwhelmingly encouraged to provide the same charitable donations to pro-civil rights, pro-gay rights groups. Enrich THIS community equally, CFA, if your intention is really just to support the locals. The GLBT community, in this case, are absolutely your customers. Put your money (or chicken) where your mouths are.
Gay_in_DB
8:25 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
Ronda, perhaps if the company was approached respectfully, Chick-fil-A might be willing to make a donation to a local Christian church in Hollywood that has a lot of gay congregants, or perhaps a local HIV/AIDS organization that serves a lot of gay people.
It would be a win-win situation for everyone because a charity or church would benefit, and Chick-fil-A would be able to quell this "anti-gay" controversy while still keeping its Christian ideals & beliefs.
nikki
8:21 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
Who cares if they want to support whomever they want. Its their money. They are a Christian based company. Just because the don't support and encourage doesn't mean they bring hate. Did you know Forever21 has Scripture printed on the bottom of their bags?? Which can only mean they don't support gays either. So if you are not going to eat there don't shop at Forever 21 and countless other stores. Pull up boot straps because there is always going to be hatred or controversy towards o e group or another. Just get over it.
Gay_in_DB
8:34 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
Nikki, I agree that a lot of companies are vocally Christian. I think the issue some people have with Chick-fil-A is that they have repeatedly made donations to some groups that campaign to ban same-sex marriage or try to "convert gays" to being straight.
With that said, I am sure Chick-fil-A probably wants to get this whole "anti-gay" publicity thing behind them, so they might be willing to make a contribution to a pro-gay group that is also consistent with their Christian beliefs. You will never know unless you ask.
Forest
8:36 am on Thursday, October 13, 2011
Um, sorry Gay_in_DB, but it's not possible to contribute to a pro-gay group that is consistent with their Christian beliefs. Why? Because homosexuality is a sin according to God's word, and it would make no sense for a Christian to support something that was pro-sin.
D-Mo
9:43 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
Mind your business. Respect them and their beliefs and convictions just as you want yours respected. You have your values, they have theirs. The new "hate" is coming from somewhere else, and it's more evident daily. Leave people alone. Make better use of your time.
D-Mo
9:51 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
I am so glad to see them expand in SoCal. They are a character and principle-driven company that provide excellent service to anyone who walks in regardless. Qualitu service and quality food in an otherwise junk-filled and cheap fast food market. They employ young people who are positive, who smile and have a sense of purpose. KFC, Popeye's, Church's Chicken...nothing against you, but Chick truly rocks. You can see it and sense it as soon as you walk in.
peter tosh
10:52 pm on Sunday, September 25, 2011
Why in the h@ll would they set up shop in Hollywood (of all places), without doing some community research on this topic? Don't they have a PR firm? Once word gets out, good ol' Chick is going to get crucified. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for freedom of speech / thought, but that's the equivalent of opening a John Birch Bookstore in the Crenshaw district.
Jack Steen
2:22 pm on Thursday, September 29, 2011
The Baptist Crackers that run Chick Fil-A are after PROFITS - and they are savvy enough to realize that their product will sell to the American sheeple who DO NOT CARE about the underlying lies told every day.....they have become immune to lies because of the whoppers told to us each and every day by the RepubliKlan Party - and you moon-gazers in Cali must REALLY be soft-headed after so many years of Ronnie Ragoon and then The Sperminator lying to you !
Merrily Snider
12:26 am on Monday, September 26, 2011
peter tosh
We just got a new Chick really close to where I live. I've never eaten there but now I know I won't. Their actions are reprehensible.
Donald Kirby
9:02 am on Monday, September 26, 2011
Reading these comments just proves how ignorant people are. Is it ok for a business to sponsor KKK groups or Nazi groups? Think about it. Use those tiny brains.
John
9:36 am on Thursday, September 29, 2011
Too tiny, don't hold your breath.
stephen ward
9:31 am on Tuesday, September 27, 2011
would anyone really put themselves on the target board if they were in the line of fire? I doubt it! In response to some comments regarding community research and outreach, The company spent FOUR YEARS on planning. Where were the protesters then? I'm tired of: I'm black they don't like us, I'm disabled they don't like us, I'm a woman they don't like us, I'm gay they don't like us, I'm a human being they don't like us....good grief...nobody likes anybody anymore, there is so much anti whatever being pushed into peoples minds for no reason other than to...I don't have a clue...we can't even feed the pigeons in hollywood!
lizard
10:43 pm on Thursday, September 29, 2011
why are gays always trying to force their ways on other people, live and let live, it seems to me your the ones with the hate issues, as for me I think I will try their food now due to all this free advertisement
John
8:17 am on Friday, September 30, 2011
Live and let live, indeed.
Forest
8:41 am on Thursday, October 13, 2011
Same here, I never would have known there was a Chick-fil-A in Hollywood if there hadn't been this protest. I think I'll have to go eat there as well. Maybe this weekend.
Larry
2:06 pm on Saturday, October 1, 2011
What is the alternative, to shut up? That isn't what America is all about. It is about free speech and it is about commerce. This protest addresses those two things and bring to front something that is lacking in Los Angeles - Education. That is, Education about political issues about gay rights.
Now you have a right to vote with your pocket book. So don't attack the messenger, look at his or her message, the content of what they say.
Rj K. Clark
2:48 pm on Wednesday, October 12, 2011
Ok, I am the Jenn Schilling in this article, even though I choose to use a different online name. I live 1/2 a block from this Chik-Fil-A. Let me state, for the record, I DID NOT HAVE A CHIK-FIL-A BAG IN MY HAND. At the time I was interviewed, I was walking my pit bull and heading across the street to get food from the CHINESE FOOD restaurant in the strip-mall on Sunset and Highland. HOW DARE YOU write that I had a bag in my hand at the time of the interview.
I was asked by the interviewer if 1) had I ever eaten at Chik-Fil-A and I stated yes, because I grew up in the Atlanta and North Georgia areas where Chik-Fil-A is prominent. 2) I was asked if I had ever eaten at that Chik-Fil-A in particular and I stated yes, I had, but in order to balance out my Karma, I was going to make an equal or more donation to a Gay Rights organization.
I have not eaten at this establishment since before the interview. I do not intend to eat at this establishment. The traffic caused by this restaurant has caused horrible traffic jams through Hollywood and horrible parking conditions for the residents who live in the area.
Forest
8:48 am on Thursday, October 13, 2011
So I don't really get it. Many of you (including the protestors) don't want Christians to impose their values on you, and say that homosexuality is a sin. But at the same time, you want to impose your values on them, and force them to be accepting of homosexuality as not a sin. And you tell Chick-fil-A not to judge, while at the same time you are judging them. Looks to me like you lose due to inconsistency.
Saint Jack
10:02 am on Friday, October 28, 2011
why are you infringing on their rights to do what they want with their money? it seems you're the hater now. since when is it "not equal" to have values and stand by your principles?
John
2:08 pm on Friday, October 28, 2011
Do you know what "infringe" means? Seemingly not, otherwise you would know that no rights are infringed by protesters pointing out an injustice.
Ken Howard LCSW
1:27 am on Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Following Up, 11/1/11: http://www.advocate.com/News/Daily_News/2011/11/01/Chick_fil_A_Gave_Nearly_2M_to_Antigay_Groups_Just_in_2009/