Anyone more aware than a chicken has probably heard of the recent flap regarding Chick-fil-a. By my estimates this means that over 42% of Americans have some knowledge of this issue. Just a quick look at the uproar: Chick-fil-a President, Dan Cathy publicly stated the chain supports the traditional family unit and it has been reported that they have donated as much as $3 million to groups which oppose gay marriage. Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LBGT) groups have complained and suggest boycotting the restaurant chain. Politicos from Boston, Philadelphia and Chicago have spoken out, condemning Chick-fil-a for their stand. Others, including former Presidential candidate, Mike Huckabee have praised them for the same reason. These are the facts as I understand them. Now on to my viewpoint.
Every individual has the right (that I fully support) to their own beliefs, up to the point where those beliefs cause harm to, or limit the rights of, others. If you believe in your right to perform yoga, in your yard, in the nude, go for it. If the neighbors complain, put up a fence high enough to keep from inflicting your beliefs on them. Find others with the same belief, form a group and be proud of the grass stains on your ass. Just don't show them to me, while I'm trying to eat. Have t-shirts made up for the Outdoor Naked Yoga eXperience (ONYX, I just trademarked it and am willing to sell). Until you try to force others to practice, or watch, your beliefs, you are within your rights, more power to you.
Group rights are trickier. The actions of any group member reflect upon all members of the group. If one Denny's manager actively discriminates against African-American's, the perception is that everyone employed by Denny's is guilty of discrimination. If you are an employee of Walt Disney World and you ride Splash Mountain, while a commercial is being filmed, wearing a top which shows a bit of cleavage, Walt Disney World loses some of the innocence and purity associated with them. So Disney takes the cleavage out and Denny's fires some managers and the public perception eventually returns to normal. Disney and Denny's employees, along with most other employees, sign an agreement regarding their conduct, because of how it reflects on the company. All clear so far?
When the CEO of a corporation makes a public statement regarding the company position on any controversial issue, they have, by association, pushed every employee, every franchise owner, every vendor and every customer into the fray on the side they have chosen. Many will applaud, many will complain, and many won't give a damn. Standing up and being proud of your beliefs is admirable, forcing those beliefs on others is detestable.
If marriage exists only within what is allowed and accepted by any or all religions it has no legal basis within the United States. That means no more married, filing jointly, no more deductions for all those little, wonderful dependents, no more divorce lawyers and no more alimony or child support. If marriage is a legal institution granting rights and responsibilities to the parties involved, then it has to be available to everyone. Anything less is government sponsored discrimination. If you're opposed to gay marriage, the solution is self-evident; Don't marry a person of the same sex. Carry it to extremes and refuse to attend a gay wedding. Just don't try to tell others what they can or can't do, because you have passed judgement, and found them to be less than human.
To Dan Cathy, you owe an apology. The apology isn't for your own personal beliefs, the apology is to all the customers whose money was good enough for you, even though you feel they are not entitled to the same rights as you. The apology is for all the people who gave you $5000, plus 1/2 of their net earnings not knowing some of the money would be spent to restrict their rights. To all the people flocking to the anti-gay marriage cause, be proud in your belief that your hatred of those different from you is more important than their love for each other.
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