Chicago Chick-fil-A protesters plan "kiss-in"

This July 19, 2012, photo shows a Chick-fil-A fast food restaurant in Atlanta. / AP

(CBS News) Gay rights group Equality Illinois is asking gay and lesbian couples to go to their local Chick-fil-A restaurant next Friday for a "kiss-in" campaign, which the group is promoting along with other gay rights organizations nationwide, reports CBS affiliate WBBM in Chicago.

The "kiss-in" is one of several public protests against Chick-fil-A that have come about since CEO Dan Cathy said in an interview with the Baptist Press he was "guilty as charged" when asked about his "support of the traditional family."

"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," he said in the interview. "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."

Furthering his views on the radio program "The Ken Coleman Show" in June, Cathy said " I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say 'we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage,' and I pray God's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about."

The company has tried to backtrack from Cathy's comments, saying it strives to "treat every person with honor, dignity and respect - regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender," according to a Boston Herald report. But that apparently has done little to quell the uproar, with Equality Illinois' planned "kiss-in" being only one of several public protests against Cathy's comments.

On the other hand, the company has enjoyed vocal support in the conservative community.

Former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee in a statement on his Facebook page, said he has been "incensed at the vitriolic assaults on the Chick Fil-A company because the CEO, Dan Cathy, made comments recently in which he affirmed his view that the Biblical view of marriage should be upheld."

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Huckabee has recently been joined by former presidential candidate Rick Santorum in calling for a "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" on August 1, for which they've asked their supporters to "just simply have a meal" at and stand behind their local Chick-fil-A.

Whether not any of the controversy over Cathy's comments will affect the restaurant's bottom line is anyone's guess, but some politicians are trying to see that it does.

Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno has announced his intentions to block Chick-fil-A's plans for a restaurant in his ward. Mayor Rahm Emanuel backed that position, saying that Cathy's views "disrespect our fellow neighbors and residents," thus building in Chicago "would be a bad investment, since it would be empty."

Additionally, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino sent Cathy a letter asking him to back out of plans to locate a restaurant in Beantown.

The campaign by Equality Illinois, dubbed "Flick-the-Hate," urges people to sign a petition geared toward universities and malls that host Chick-fil-A restaurants.

"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," Equality Illinois says.

Equality Illinois is also urging Chicagoans who support gay rights to participate in an "Eat for Love Day" on Wednesday, Aug. 1. The organization is urging people to eat at a local restaurant that supports LGBT rights and "is unafraid to show its support for equality for everyone."

10 Photos

OK to be gay? Regional acceptance of same-sex relations

[OBAMA4ALLAH-]

CBS News is really carrying the Dems and Obama like they did in 2008.
They never even posted a story on all the Black ministers out there are not going to support Obama because of his support of gay marriage.
My local News reported it but this joke of a News Agency just keeps have those convenient news black outs.

[billholahan]

People say they are exercising their freedom of religion and speech when they attend the Chick Fil A Appreciation Day; this is true! Why can't people understand that when gay people marry, all of the straight marriages remain as viable as they ever have been? All straight marriages in the future will also be valid and recognized by our Government. Why are people not able to accept the fact that BOTH are valid? One does not exclude the other.

But gay people and their supporters are fighting for CIVIL FREEDOM. Our civil rights should not be hijacked by the perceptions of a businessman who speaks of "God's judgment" against America. This is overstepping the realm of credibility. Gays and their supporters are also exercising their freedom of speech and religion, but the situation is direr than this. Gays are protesting all the money that Chick Fill A donates to anti-gay groups, who in turn line the pockets of lawmakers and politicians.. Anti-gay groups are responsible for the insidious TV ads that appear whenever there if a referendum on civil marriage. Why would gay people patronize a business whose profits contribute to bigotry against them?

This is a matter of civil freedom. Those who uphold religious values are not being denied their faith. But one's individual faith should not result in the unfairness of anti-gay legislation in our civil government.

The owner of the company says that we are inviting "God's judgment" upon our nation. Holy Cow! When will he and other Bible fanatics realize that the best family value is to include your gay members, not shun them!

[ajesc]

Get off of it! The man was asked a question and he answered it. Period. End of sentence. The only hatred, intolerance and bigotry shown in this whole thing came from the gay community, politicians who couldn't find their own butts with their hands tied behind their backs, "enlightened" liberals and the lamestream news media who have thejournalistic integrity and ability of a fencepost. The last time I read the First Amendment I didn't see "as long as you agree with me" in the part about the right to free speech.

[TruettCollins]

I keep hearing all this yelling about "civil freedoms" "civil rights" then the same people yell that they are going to change the definition of marriage. Therein lays the problem. Why must they redefine what has been in existence forever, if you want something like marriage why not make up your own word for it? Why attack what has been accepted and change it to your own definition.

[hacknasty1963]

I agree with ckusse. I hope the chicks are 19-34 and hot. I'll watch em kiss all day while I enjoy my second meal of the week with Chick Fil A. No wallets with chains please!!!

[Hairyreid]

I got it, how about a wet t-shirt contest??? Or we could rub chicken grease all over them and slap a couple of pickels on the ariolas... now we're talking.

[ckusse]

as long as they don't start any riots or become obscene or scare/ block customers from entering the store, they have every right to be as gay as they want . i suspect this will only gain chick fil a more customers as other people in the community will go just to see a couple women kiss. im straight but a couple hot women kissing(if there are any) is worth a chick fil a sandwich and a show. i guess i'll be visiting for a second day now!!

[Hairyreid]

I'm worried about the oiled up gayboys dancing around in rainbow speedos.... don't take your kids to watch the homosexual freakshow people

[douxs]

I hope they buy a meal while they are there!

[JV1970]

CNN reported that many thousands showed up IN SUPPORT of Chick-Fil-A yesterday. I wonder how many will show up at the "kiss-ins" tomorrow? I hope not nearly as many and if they get too rowdy, or carry their "kissing" too far, I hope the police is there to carry them right off to jail!

[angelasker]

If they are going to come to Chik-Fil-A, then we should all come out to greet them as Christians! This will be a wonderful opportunity to minister our beliefs and welcome those who repent into our folds! Everyone should help any person that participates in this kiss-in to come to know the love and peace of Jesus in their lives and become saved in any way that they can. Remember and appreciate the freedoms that the original constitution allowed us, and pray to end the fact that if they were doing this in certain other countries, they would be beheaded for doing so, sometimes without even a trial! Beware that The Bible does advise us to: " Be you not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship has righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion has light with darkness?"

And we have the right to beli
eve that just as much as they have the right to believe that sex and perversion will lead them to happiness, under our constitution, and thanks to that same document, we do have the right to tell them exactly how we feel about it! We also have the right to minister to them and try to help them through God's grace. If they go to Chik-Fil-A, a public place, to trespass and kiss each other in protest to our beliefs then that is just a sad cry for help and attention, like the bully at a Jr High school pulling the girl he like's pigtails. They may not know anything about being a Christian, or might have had a bad experience with someone who called themselves Christian in the past. This is an excellent opportunity to minister our beliefs. The bible addresses the importance of ministering our beliefs so that everyone knows right and wrong in Romans 2:12,What they plan to do we believe is sin and they should understand why and make an educated choice whether to continue or repent, and respect our beliefs whether they support them or not, the same way Chick-Fil-A had never bothered them! If they are going to come to Chik-Fil-A, then we should all come out to greet them as Christians!

[JV1970]

You are SO right! This is exactly what we should do!

[StandUp4God]

I agree with you, we should show the love of Christ to these people. Dan Cathy's supports the biblical definition of marriage does not translate into hate for the gay/lesbian population. As Christians we hate the sin but LOVE the sinner. We represent Christ everyday, and Christ reached out to sinners in love everywhere he went. Christ said he came for the sinner; in Matthew he said, "For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance." As we represent Christ, we are called to do the same, and the only way to do that is through love.

[ifredeemedsayso]

In the Bible marriage is defined as a union between a man and a woman. I do not understand why two people that are living a lifestyle contrary to the Bible would want to use a biblical term to describe their union. If this is allowed it will counteract the effectiveness of the word of God. Using a different term to describe this type of relationship will resolve the issue.
http://youtu.be/N83ocNFXfvg

I thank God for Chick-fil-A taking a stand regarding this issue. I wish more businesses as well as people that share the Christian faith would publicly express their belief

[JV1970]

So do I!

[Pete8388]

Because, like so many things, government has co-opted marriage. First by offering tax rates for married couples, then by marriage licenses, now by defining marriage. Marriage used to be a contract between man and woman in the eyes of God/gods. Now it is a usually temporary legal arrangement in the eyes of government.
Believers should simply cease to care how government defines marriage, because they have changed the definition of the word. If a man carry marry a man in the eyes of the state, why not a goldfish, or multiple partners? The word is marriage is useless and meaningless and should be held so.
Next time don't let government so deep into your lives and you won't see things like this happen.

[TammyJ777]

I remember when I was a child listening to the news and the reporter said that the Klu-Klux-Clan was going to be meeting and rallying in my city. And the police were going to be there to protect them. I asked my mom, why was that legal? And she said that in this country we have the right to have any opinion we want. That is their right not to like black people. Well Mr. Cathy has the right to have the opinion that gay marriage is detrimental to this society. This is America! We have the right to believe anything we want. God Bless America For Freedom.

[j_melee]

I find it beyond inappropriate for anyone to organize or participate in a protest involving couples kissing (same sex or not!) in a restaraunt geared primarily for children! Who thought that that idea would really be ok? As a teacher and a parent, children come first, so I'm offended when I see any couple showing excessive PDA in front of children. Do u have the right to sit in a restaraunt loaded with kids and have a make out session- sure- but should you? Absolutely not! If you dont agree with Chick fil a- by all means- boycott by not eating there anymore or practice some other form of protest! I think it is extremely poor taste that any knowing adult would agree to or go along with a protest like that!