I'm all for gay rights, everywhere ...marriage, adoption, etc. But I'm going to eat there. The owner of this private company expressed a personal opinion. There is no evidence or even an allegation that his personal opinion anyway impacts his business. No allegations of employees or customers being discriminated against. Gay activists are over the line in their criticism. Worse, politicians are way over the line in saying this business is not welcome in their cities.

amen

It's amazing how the community that started the "anti-bullying" compaign are the biggest bullies of all.

I've dressed as a cow twice because I loved Chick-Fil-A. I love that they reach out to the community with allowing flea markets, car shows, etc. It's nice they take off on Sundays. The food is delicious. The cow dancing on the corner at Rte 9 always makes me smile. BUT I can no longer support a company when I find out that it makes donations to anti-gay rights organizaitons. Their choice/my choice. It's America. In the meantime, gotta hope Shop Rite Jackson's chicken sandwich is available, but NOT kept too long under heat lamps. Roll gets hard.

What's there to support? Bigotry? No thanks.

Am I eating there today? Nope. Am I showing up on Chik-Fil-Gay day? Nope.
I just want a chicken sandwich (mostly on Sunday when I can't have one). I don't think the cows should do anything but promote chicken. Do what you like with your money and profits, Chik-Fil-A, but don't alienate an entire demographic of your business.
I support gay marriage, but I am personally straight. To each their own, I believe.
Just give me the damn sandwich and I will be on my way.

Meat is murder.

I think free speech is something everyone should fight for. Both for the owners of the company, and the customers who choose to express themselves by not eating there (or by eating there). Urban Outfitters has expressed anti-gay sentiments, so I choose not to shop there. But that doesn't mean I'm going to protest their right to believe what they want to believe.

I generally avoid fast food. But I'm perplexed by the controversy. If one doesn't agree with same-sex marriage, they're "anti-gay"? Come on, people.

When the political correctness wasp stings you in the butt, maybe you'll think differently.

Chicken sandwich is the best. What a person does in life is between them and God. Who are we to judge. If you don't like what someone is doing, wish them the best and leave them the .... alone.

These Mayors using their offices to hinder a legal business because it's owner has personal views that differ from theirs is tyranny and against the First Amendment. My chicken sandwich was excellent.

Just out of curiosity, would people go to Chick-fil-a if they said that blacks shouldn't marry whites or that Jews shouldn't marry Catholics? I just love how some people will use the beautiful words of the First Amendment to deny ALL people their right to lives that others share.

gjc, you are missing something here. Or perhaps not. Maybe you just want to ram your opinion down everyone's throat. I and and I and most people who are eating at Chick-fil-a today are pushing back at those who don't support a person's right to express an opinion. Some readers here say they may not eat there again. OK. I respect that that action. But others are going beyond reason. They want to disrupt a legitimate business from operating. Politicians say this business is not welcome, they won't allow it. I bet we see some ugly behavior this Friday with the counter protest by gay activists.

I never said that any mainstream religion prohibited black-white or Jewish-Catholic weddings. It is the CEO of Chick-fil-a who is trying to ram his personal beliefs down the throats of others. My opinion is live and let live. You don't like the way some choose to live their lives? Turn away. It's none of your business.

Was at the Howell Chick Fil A as they ran out of food as thousands came out to support....my son loves working here for his first job and says it's a great organization. People standing around me said they were there to protect Freedom of speech......I have no clue what their view was on gay marriage, we were all there to protect our common rights, and that is why we are America!

It seems that many people have watched too much of the media rather than doing their own research. Gay rights groups are not advocating a boycott because of a business owner's views on marriage equality. He said things like "we are inviting God's judgment on our nation" and we are "arrogant" and "twisted". Moreover, his company donates millions of dollars each year to certified HATE groups, such as the American Family Association. The AFA likens gays to child rapists and advocates for the criminalization of homosexuality. Should gay people be expected to just "shut up" and allow large corporations to bank roll hate groups to strip them of their rights? This is not about the First Amendment or anti-Christian sentiments. Cathy is certainly within his rights to operate a business and say whatever he wants to say. When he starts to affect my livelihood, then I will stand up to the hate. There are millions of Christians in this country (who happen to be gay) like me who would like nothing more than to live in peace and respect and love others as we do ourselves. My fervant prayer is that we will one day achieve this seemingly lofty goal.

Bryan, If what you say about AFA is accurate then you should protest that group. I'm not aware of any allegations of Chick-fli-a discriminating against employees, applicants for employment or customers. [I bet that is now going to change. I'd expect some activists to manufacture some problems.] I understand the company demands employees treat every customer with respect.
I and many others who supported this company have a huge problem with politicians [all Democrats from large cities] bullying a well run company because the CEO happens to be religious and expressed an opinion. All that to appease a segment of their political base.
BTW, I am not religious and I support gay rights everywhere including marriage and adoption.

Actually, Chick-fil-A has several discrimination lawsuits it's currently litigating. Again, this has nothing to do with his religion. I am a Christian myself, and there's nothing religious about seeking to marginalize a segment of society and funneling millions of the COMPANY'S money to support anti-gay groups. If you choose to voice your opinion in the public square, then there will be consequences--whether positive or negative. I don't think the gov't should prevent the opening of a business; however, gay rights supporters have the right to peacefully assemble against a company that uses a significant portion of their profits to perpetuate hate and influence public policy against them. Also, this has become sensationalized by the media. Yes, there are extremists on both sides making terrible comments, but they (hopefully) do not represent the majority. For example, Garden State Equality is asking its members to call the restaurant owners to dialogue so they are informed about how their leadership hurts people like us. On another note, it incenses me to see thousands of people lined up singing "God Bless America" and chanting "Hallelujah Jesus!". I highly doubt that there would be the same public reaction if the company supported the KKK or Neo-Nazi groups. There's obviously some anti-gay animus among many--if not most--of the people who went there on Wednesday. For the record, I would peacefully protest against any company that sought to marginalize anyone, not just gays.

I would think a company as large as Chick-fil-a would have plenty of disgruntled former employees or job applicants looking to make a quick settlement on some bogus claim. There sure are plenty of hungry lawyers out there willing to take on such cases. Someone is always willing to sue because of gender, age, perceived physical disability, etc. I still haven't heard of any claims regarding anything anti gay.
Founders of Amazon and Google are giving tons of money to pro gay organizations. I don't hear of conservative Republicans saying these companies are not welcome in our society, etc. If they did I'd protest them, too. I'd go buy at Amazon and advertise on Google.
BTW, I was at the place in Howell. I didn't hear any songs or Jesus chants. Nothing anti-gay. If I had I would have left right away.

You made my point precisely. Several "conservative" groups called for boycotts and protests of JC Penney, Google, Amazon, Starbucks, and the list goes on. No one stood in line to support these businesses because of their right to free speech in the face of their attacks. Therefore, one can only assume that "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" was as much about the particular topic at hand (AKA standing up to the "ultra-liberal elitist gays" who want to "redefine" marriage) for many of the people who participated as it was about freedom of speech. Were you not aware that this "call to action" was made by NOM and Mike Huckabee? No NJ politicians were threatening to prevent a Chick-fil-A from opening in the state, and I find it hard to believe that tens of thousands of people were in such an uproar because a few politicians made a comment that a chicken restaurant couldn't open. I bet a small percentage of the same people would offer their support for a company that was prevented from establishing their business because they were pro-marriage equality. Maybe I'm being pessimistic, but I don't think so. All you have to do is read some of the comments on this website and thousands of others on all the other news sites. I am certain that you do not feel that way, but you have to admit that many other people do feel that way. I was not at the Howell Chick-fil-A, but there are videos that depict what I mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nF00qCIGe04.

Pretty creepy video. And what is NOM? I have no doubt many protesters there are very anti-gay. Many would deny gays their rights. That is wrong. If the founder of Chick-lif-a was king or a politician he would be wrong, too. But he is a private citizen. Maybe no politician in NJ threatened to prevent a Chick-fil-a from opening but the mayor of Boston and Chicago and other mayors did. Or at least say the company wis not welcome. Are we to believe they would say that but behind the scenes roll out the welcome wagon? They put the message out there for everyone out in city government to make it real difficult for a business. That is wrong. That is why I was there and the few I spoke to agreed. I really do not think a whole lot of people would protest a pro gay rights company from opening a store or factory in their neighborhood and bringing lots of jobs and paying property taxes. But then again there are a lot of stupid people around.

The liberal hypocrites will continue to complain about Dan Cathy's donations to orgainizations that support traditional family values and call them "hate groups". Meanwhile those same people will be filling up their gas tanks with gasoline that comes from OPEC, an organization run by individuals who actually EXECUTE homosexuals simply for being gay. Much more of your money goes to supporting this horrible organization than it does to Chick-fil-A. Think about that the next time you're filling up your gas tank!