JOHN PAUL

To Chick-Fil-A, Truett Cathy, and the WinShape Foundation:

It is with a heavy heart that I write to you saying that I can no longer, in good conscience, patronize your establishment. Nor can I partake of your delicious, succulent, juicy chicken.

I mean, I would like to. Oh trust me, I would! But the beef (ha!) I have with you isn’t about your chicken. Your chicken is actually quite good. Your ongoing support of anti-gay organizations and hate groups, however, is what has left me with a bad taste in my mouth.

I had deduced that your business was religious - meaning I noticed it was always closed on Sundays and I just sort of guessed. And that’s fine. I live in Oklahoma and I know plenty of Christian businesses who do the same thing. That much never bothered me.

I never really knew what Chick-Fil-A’s opinion of gays was, but I probably wouldn’t have cared. You are free to have whatever rampantly bigoted views you choose to hold, and I have the right to call them just that. If one of the Chick-Fil-A cows were a homophobe, I’d hope he’d have the common courtesy to at least keep that to himself and we would be fine.

But then you had to do it to me. You just had to push me away. You went and donated $2 million, money that customers like me helped you make, to anti-gay organizations like the Pennsylvania Family Institute. These are people who have said that striking down Prop 8 was a direct hit to human civilization. They’ve said same-sex marriage threatens children, hurts families, and punishes society by caving in to a radical sexual revolution.

I’ve checked your tab, and apparently that’s not the only anti-gay organization you support:

• Marriage & Family Legacy Fund: $994,199
• Focus On The Family: $12,500
• Exodus International: $1,000

Oh, that Exodus International one is a low blow, Chick-Fil-A, because that group’s entire purpose is to eliminate and “cure” homosexuality like it’s a mental disorder.

And then you sent out a message saying you’re not anti-gay and that you respect LGBT people. But then, well, this:

http://news.change.org/stories/yes-chick-fil-a-says-we-explicitly-do-not-like-same-sex-couples

That’s an odd definition of respect. And you’re absolutely sure you’re not anti-gay?

Come on, just admit you don’t like me. It’s pretty obvious. You’ve given money to organizations who are actively trying to make sure I don’t get to enjoy the same rights as heterosexual couples. You have helped fund hate groups who, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, are listed right alongside the KKK.

So I think you’ve made it pretty clear how you feel. Now here’s how I feel.

I refuse to spend my money at a business that supports hate, and I encourage others to do the same.

Maybe you think a small number of people boycotting won’t make much of a difference. And, you know, that may be true.

But when I think that even so much as a penny, a single freaking penny of my money went to Exodus International and helped fund their sick, perverse practices of “curing” gay people, it breaks my heart.

It makes me physically ill to think that a single cent of the money I paid to eat your chicken goes to a hate group who clearly disagrees with my very existence. And when I think, even for a second, that I have in any way helped a group who is trying to undermine my civil rights… well, it makes me want to puke.

And suddenly, I’m not so hungry anymore. No matter how tasty the chicken might be.

But hey, if you meant what you said about not being anti-gay, and if you’re half as Christian as you claim to be, then I’ve got a proposition for you.

Homelessness among LGBT youths is rampant, and charities and churches all over America are struggling to provide them with food, shelter, and a positive environment. Even if you think their sexual orientation is a choice, they are still human beings - and they are suffering.

Here’s one organization that could sure use some help:
http://www.aliforneycenter.org/

And even if you don’t feel like giving a monetary donation… I bet those homeless teens could really go for some free chicken.

Just a thought.

I certainly hope that you have read all of this and heard me out. I also hope that, one day, I may again enjoy one of your chicken sandwiches with extra pickles and waffle fries. It was my favorite!

Until Chick-Fil-A stops supporting these hate groups, however, my morals will simply not allow it.

Sign the petition!
http://www.change.org/petitions/support-lgbt-rights-and-tell-chick-fil-a-hate-is-not-okay

Watch the video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D1sJgHU2DNw&context=C2865dADOEgsToPDskJP3piHkFUqmvhpTd5Xm62F