Gay for Chik-Fil-A? NJ Won't Be Lovin' Ya Back

As an openly heterosexual male I have long found that Chik-Fil-A is a fantastic facility in which to aggressively make out with my wife.  For years now we have locked lips and slobbered over each other at the counter, across the tables, in the booths, bathrooms and even the indoor playground.   My car’s fender is all scratched up from trying to go at it while maneuvering the drive-thru lane.  We are not unlike the hundreds of thousands of other heterosexual couples who frequent Chik-Fil-A with the sole purpose of getting it on in there like teenagers in their parents’ basement.   Sometimes we don’t even order any food that is how conducive the environment is for inappropriate displays of public affection.  That is unless, of course, you are a homosexual. 

Same sex couples are not allowed to kiss each other in a Chik-Fil-A.  They aren’t allowed in the restaurant and even turned away at the drive-thru.  And we know this because?  Well, because of the big signs on the doors that say, “No Gays Allowed;” because of the voice at the drive-thru that prompts gays to immediately drive away while it offers to assist all others; and because of  the gaydar  at the counter that will sound when a covert homosexual tries to order value meal.  (The kids' meals come with a state issued Certificate of Marriage and Chik-Fil-A does not conduct same-sex marriage ceremonies in their stores.  It is written in their corporate rules as is the no-gays served policy.) 

Bearing ample evidence illustrating wholesale discrimination in each and every franchise across the nation, some in the LGBT community have said enough is enough and declared today National Same Sex Kiss Day at Chik-Fil-A.   Because nothing says we deserve equality better than inappropriately making out at a fast food restaurant, right?
 
Yeah.  Steve Goldstein, Chairman of New Jersey’s Garden State Equality advocacy group feels the same way about the effectiveness of this kiss-in campaign.   He rightly points out same sex relationships, just like straight couples, involve so much more than sloppy and awkward P.D.A.s.  They are deeper and more committed than that. While he doesn’t say this called for action makes a mockery of the basic human right he and countless others are fighting for, it is pretty clear he sat this one out.  The group didn’t offer up ringing endorsements to act like juveniles in heat at area restaurants.  Securing the fundemental right of loving partners to legally marry themselves and their property to each other is not won with sideshow antics that only reinforce belittling stereotypes.

Goldstein notes that GSE will recommend an alternative, more long-term action against the company to get its message out there.  He understands the first amendment and respects personal opinions and the right of private citizens to spend their money as they so choose.  He hopes enough folks will choose not to spend theirs at Chik-Fil-A.    No calls for pickets and protests of local franchises employing your neighbors but rather just the simple nonverbal expression of your first amendment right by driving right by it even if you are hungry and those nuggets are pretty damn good.

Some have already done so.   Local entities that have worked with Chik-Fil-A in the past are rethinking that relationship.  Others might not see any connection between the personal statements of a mostly nameless faceless CEO far, far away and the local chains serving up decent, reasonably priced meals in an extremely courteous environment.  How often do any of us really think about the political side of the profits we contribute to daily?  Folks like Steve Goldstein  are hoping now is the time you start, and not just by kissing it up at Chik-Fil-A.

http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20120803/NEWS01/308030018/No-kiss-menu-N-J-gay-groups