Chick-Fil-A Fallout: Gay Rights Group Plans National ‘Kiss-In’ Day

Gay rights group Equality Illinois is organizing a “Kiss-in” at Chick-Fil-A restaurants nation-wide in response to the statements by CEO Dan Cathy, who confessed he was “guilty as charged” when asked about his “support of the traditional family.”

CBS News reports that Cathy’s statement in a recent interview was:

“We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that. We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles.”

The fall out from the Chick-Fil-A CEO’s statement has been widespread, with people like Mike Huckabee joining in support with the company, but gay and lesbian rights groups urging people to boycott the restaurant for their lack of equality.

While the company itself has attempted to backtrack from Cathy’s comments, saying that they strive to “treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender,” their attempts have been unsuccessful.

Equality Illinois has dubbed their campaign “Flick-the-Hate,” and the group is also urging people to sign a petition that will be geared toward universities and malls that host Chick-Fil-A restaurants. The group stated:

“As we challenge the company’s anti-LGBT policies, we must also ask these universities and mall owners why they want to do business with a company that holds up hate as a family value.”

A Facebook group has since been created with the title “National Same Sex Kiss Day At Chick Fil A,” and describes itself by saying:

“Unless you’ve been living under a rock this week you’ll have noticed that Chick Fil A has officially come out against the LGBTQ community. (For those of you who have been living under a rock, or just want to read it again, here’s the article http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-chick-fil-a-gay-marriage-20120719,0,5713061.story)

“In honor of their support for love, equality, and the real definition of family, we’re holding a NATIONAL Same Sex Kiss Day at Chick Fil A’s around the country. So grab a friend (or 20) and head out to your nearest Chick Fil A! And don’t forget to post photos/videos of it here! For all the world to see!”

CBS Local notes that Equality Illinois is also urging that people make August 1 an “Eat For Love” day, where participants eat at restaurants that openly support gay marriage. They are asking that participants post where they are planning to stage their “kiss-in” protests, and to also send pictures.

Equality Illinois states that at the “kiss-in,” “LGBT supporters will show their disdain for Chick-Fil-A’s policies with public displays of affection in front of their restaurants.”

Do you think that staging a “kiss-in” to protest Chick-Fil-A’s stance on gay marriage will be effective?