Customers still in support, recent poll says
Chick-fil-A is getting a new round of publicity following their more publicized views on gay marriage. Although the fast food company has never kept their views on gay marriage secret, after Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy gave an interview with Biblical Recorder in which he reiterated the company’s strict following of biblical practice and consequent disapproving stance on homosexual lifestyles, a media firestorm has quickly spread.
In Cathy’s interview with the Biblical Recorder, he was asked about the company’s support of the traditional lifestyle – meaning the heterosexual family – and Cathy replied, “Well, guilty as charged,” then continuing on to say, “We are very much supportive of the family—the biblical definition of the family unit.”
News sources like CNN, Washington Post, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Los Angeles Times, Associated Press and The Huffington Post have since reported on the story, and an outcry has ensued as the result of Chick-fil-A’s more publicized stance on gay marriage and rights. To counteract the publicity, Chick-fil-A issued a statement July 19 telling its customers that they are “going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena” and that its tradition is “to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect—regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender.”
Still, the Chick-fil-A press has so far not been viewed as negative. The Washington Post conducted a poll that reported 66 percent of respondents say they’ll continue eating at Chick-fil-A. Supporters also took to social media to express their continued support. As of Thursday afternoon, more than 14,000 people had commented on Chick-fil-A’s Facebook page, many of whom said they still approve of the company.
Chick-fil-A operates more than 1,600 restaurants. They are known for being closed on Sundays in honor of the Bible’s recommendations.
