Chick-fil-A's president's comments draw ire of Milwaukee's LGBT Community Center
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- Chick-fil-a Logo Image by Chick-fil-a Facebook Page
RACINE- The only Chick-fil-A in our area is the one at Regency Mall, and it is now on the radar of local gay and lesbian activists.
It's business as usual at the Chick-fil-A at Regency Mall.
A far cry from other Chick-fil-A's around the country, facing protests, after the president of the chicken restaurant chain said he opposed same-sex marriage.
"I think it's sad and disappointing that an organization such as Chick-fil-A would choose to discriminate against a big segment of their customers," said Martin Palicki of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) Community Center.
Chick-fil-A said the company has always applied biblically based principles, and is closed on Sundays. Its president and chief executive officer -- Dan Cathy -- made it clear he believes marriage should only be between a man and a woman.
"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 marriage,'" said Cathy.
But outrage is picking up steam across the country.
The grand opening of a Chick-fil-A in Laguna Hills, California had to be put on hold after protesters gathered, calling for boycotts of the chain.
And the Jim Henson Company has pulled its toys from kids meals.
"Well currently we don't have any rallies or protest planned out here in Milwaukee, but that is something that we could definitely consider going forward," said Palicki.
Milwaukee's LGBT Community Center is asking people to donate $7 -- the cost of a meal at Chick-fil-A -- to them starting next week, to help in the fight against homophobia.
Chick-fil-A's corporate office has released a statement, saying:
"The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurant is to great every person with honor, dignity, and respect regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation, and gender."
Activists like Palicki says he still won't eat there.
No protests have been planned there, but "kiss-ins" are planned on National Same-Sex Kiss Day next Friday.
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