First of all, I have to admit I was pretty surprised to discover a few weeks ago that the entire world suddenly discovered that Chick-Fil-A is homophobic. I’ve known that about Chick-Fil-A ever since I found out that Chick-Fil-A existed, and I’m from the midwest.
I’m honestly surprised by the backlash that’s happening even among moderate supporters of queer rights to the boycott of Chick-Fil-A. My favorite part is that some conservatives are calling the boycott “fascist.” Alright, I’ll play. First of all, are those same people going to stop boycotting businesses that support queer rights? Second of all, exercising one’s rights as an individual not to spend money at a business you disagree with is fascism? Yeah, that’s exactly how fascism works. Good job, guys.
In light of how many businesses are coming forward to express their support for queer people, I think it’s perfectly reasonable for me, as a private citizen, to go out of my way to support those businesses and withhold my support from ones that are actively working against queer people. Then again, this doesn’t really apply in the case of Chick-Fil-A, as I am a vegetarian. So I guess my only real protest to tomorrow’s wrongheaded “Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day” will be to continue being a transgender, pansexual vegetarian (man, that has to put my pretty high up on their hate list.) I guess I’ll buy some fake chicken. That still counts as a competitor, right?
Now, a lot of people who feel less strongly than I do might express (hopefully innocent) disbelief that this is a “big deal.” Who cares if Dan Cathy has radically homophobic views? It’s just his opinion, right?
Well, you might like to know that it’s a matter of public record that the Chick-Fil-A sandwich you’re eating is funding “ex-gay” camps, which psychologically damage (often young) queer people to try to turn them straight. You might like to know that your money is going to organizations that the Southern Poverty Law Center has designated as hate groups because of provable falsehoods it spreads about queer people. You might like to know that it’s going to organizations that are helping push the bill in Uganda that would make homosexuality punishable by death.
Enjoy your sandwich.
