Henson Company breaks off relationship with Chick-Fil-A over gay marriage stance
The Jim Henson Company has announced via it’s Facebook page that it no longer wishes to partner with Chick-Fil-A because Henson’s company supports gay marriage.
“… on Friday, the Jim Henson Company posted the following statement to their Facebook page:”
“The Jim Henson Company has celebrated and embraced diversity and inclusiveness for over fifty years and we have notified Chick-Fil-A that we do not wish to partner with them on any future endeavors. Lisa Henson, our CEO is personally a strong supporter of gay marriage and has directed us to donate the payment we received from Chick-Fil-A to GLAAD. (http://www.glaad.org/)”
“With this, The Jim Henson Company joins the ranks of Boston Mayor Thomas Menino, who has vowed to block Chick-fil-A from opening a restaurant in the city, office star Ed Helms who tweeted that the chain had “lost a loyal fan,” and the countless individuals who have taken to social media to voice disapproval, including those planning a National Same Sex Kiss Day on August 3, in condemning the Chick-Fil-A’s CEO’s opposition to same sex marriage. “
A fan site reports that Chick-Fil-A kids meals were featuring a Jim Henson Creature Shop make-your-own puppet toy from mid July to Aug. 18th.
How do you feel about Chick-Fil-A’s stance on gay marriage? Does it influence your decision to buy your food there either way? If you are offended, it is hard to give it up? (That is some yummy chicken.) Do you think the owners should stop talking about their views?
(I know this is a polarizing issue but please try to stay polite and discuss it like adults. No name calling please.)
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1,331 comments Add your comment
DebDoes
July 24th, 2012
9:39 am
Businesses should keep their political views to themselves otherwise reap the consequences. Truitt Cathy has always done his own thing and I venture to say one day the Company will be run very differently including being open on Sunday. Anyone that is involved with the children’s networks knows that there is a very large ‘gay population’ running/working/involved with them. Henson being supportive of GLAAD should not be a surprise. Hey guys, I heard ‘Barney’ was gay….I’m just saying. Wake up, its 2012.
Ekim
July 24th, 2012
9:39 am
@Natural Occurrence: “Why are animals not gay? Why can gay people not reproduce? It is disorderly as it is not natural. Please point to some evidence that states otherwise.”
You haven’t looked. Google “homesexual behavior in animals.” There are thousands of sources.
Christy Logan
July 24th, 2012
9:40 am
Who cares what the Muppets think, they are make believe and over rated!!!
Jim
July 24th, 2012
9:40 am
I didn’t realize the Henson company was like this. Muppets will never play in our household again and we will eat more chicken.
Cat
July 24th, 2012
9:41 am
Love you Chick-Fil-A. Stand up for your beliefs. I am with you.
Goat chin
July 24th, 2012
9:41 am
To the GLBT group, no matter how you try to redefine it or push your radical agenda, there is a difference between two men or two women in a relationship than what has been defined as marriage for centuries. I have no problem with civil unions but this radical push will be the fall of your support, but only HOLLYWOOD will support you. In the final judgement, all this will be solve. This is nothing new in history, SATAN is hard at work trying to deceive the masses. How about agreeing we don’t agree and have tolerance for other beliefs and its not bigotry or discrimination since you can marry but its not recognized by certain entities.
ANN
July 24th, 2012
9:41 am
I THINK WE SHOULD RESPECT THEIR DECISION AND CONTINUE TO PATRONIZE THEIR RESTAURANTS.
Dekou
July 24th, 2012
9:41 am
These Christians on here know they don’t really beleive in that madness. They simply pick and choose whats beneficial to them. i
drew
July 24th, 2012
9:41 am
To the person who said . “I can call my car a Jag, but I still get in an Altima everyday!”
Yes, you can also call yourself a Christian but that doesn’t mean you are one.
The hardest part of being a Christian…is actually acting like one.
Tea
July 24th, 2012
9:42 am
Being anti-gay is not “an opinion”, as many on this board have characterized it. Rather it is a deliberate act of discrimination.
Mel
July 24th, 2012
9:42 am
Although I am not shocked, I really wish the CEO of CFA would have said “we’re just here to cook food for people and not get into politics”. But they came out with their statement, so here’s mine: Good for the Jim Henson Company. Can only hope others follow suit. I won’t be eating at Chick-Fil-A again.
EatMorBeef
July 24th, 2012
9:43 am
If Chick-fil-A is going to take my money and then give a portion of it to rapid anti-gay groups, then I will choose to spend my money elsewhere. They make decision about how to spend their profits, and I make a decision about how to spend my paycheck. Seems pretty simple.
Dekou
July 24th, 2012
9:43 am
@ Christy logan… So is the skydaddy in the bible
Lois
July 24th, 2012
9:43 am
Whatever happened to “free speech?” We need to appreciate the fact that we live in one of the few countries where we still have the freedom to think and speak differently from one another. Let’s respect, if not treasure, that fact. We’re off to Chick-fil-a for one delicious sandwich.
Goat chin
July 24th, 2012
9:44 am
The last time I check Chick-Fi-la had gays working for them, gays have never been turned away for service. What is next boycott them for not being open on Sunday’s because of their religious beliefs? You would never try this crap in an Islamic country because the penalties would be severe if you came out as gay. GLBT, we are tolerant, sic!!!!
Do Some Research
July 24th, 2012
9:44 am
Is it wrong to donate to a hate group? Saying you believe in something and donating to a group that actively pursues the discrimination of a group are two different things. If you are going to argue a point, at least have the facts. http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/popular-chicken-chain-under-fire-anti-gay-marriage-20110131-090004-945.html
Damon
July 24th, 2012
9:45 am
One question, Who cares?! The Homosexual community wants rights and I will stand proudly with them so they can have those rights and defend them even though I am a heterosexual. Chick-fil-a does not believe in gay marriage again I will stand proudly them chicken sandwich in hand and defend them as well. That is the great thing about America we can all have differing opinions but still get along, except in this case everyone wants to throw Chick-fil-a under the bus for their beliefs. What if I wanted to throw all the supporters of gay marriage under the bus because of their beliefs? I mean honestly people it took nearly 100 years to get women the rights they have today and they still do not have them all. It took nearly 80 years for the blacks to get their rights in the US. This is not going to happen overnight and sensationalizing stories like this do not help the LGBT community. Chick-fil-a said we do not support gay marriage, they didn’t put up a heterosexuals only entrance.
Let Freedom Ring
July 24th, 2012
9:46 am
Yes it is a free country…freedom of speech…blah blah blah…republicans love free speech when they’re spewing hate…tell it to the Dixie Chicks
Glenda
July 24th, 2012
9:46 am
I see a trip, or two or three to Chick fil a in my future. Eat more chicken!
JB
July 24th, 2012
9:47 am
Pure genius and just stating his beliefs. Gays need to take a deep breath. Most Americans believe in Marriage between and and and a woman. This man is not saying he hates gays, and if you believe that, you know nothing about Christianity.He hates the sin not the sinner. And if you don’t believe the Bible, chill out and enjoy a chicken sandwich….and just think, the Muslim would just cut your head off, not deny you a sandwich.
TERRY
July 24th, 2012
9:47 am
I COMMEND YOU CHIC-FIL-ET FOR YOUR COMMENTS. TO THE OTHER SIDE,HELL IS A REAL PLACE..HOMOSEXUALITY IS AN ABOMINATION. GOD HAVE MERCY ON YOUR SOULS.
Angela
July 24th, 2012
9:47 am
Jerry Sandusky probably hated Chick-fil-A, too, but he likely found THE MUPPETS most useful in his endeavors.
Marie Dillon
July 24th, 2012
9:47 am
Sorry guys but I believe marriage is between a man a woman. If you are gay and want to be together thats cool but not marriage and the benefits to being married. I dont believe that is right. I give cudos to chik-fil-a for standing up for their beliefs. Each person to their own I guess.
Chik-Fil-A supporters, listen up
July 24th, 2012
9:47 am
As a guy who despises hypocrites (and bad spellers) all you Chik-Fil-A supports listen to me. If you boycott all things Jim Henson you are just as bad as the people you are criticizing. You are punishing those who exercise their free speech and free market rights. I won’t get into whether you’re right or wrong about “the gays” but you are definitely as guilty as gay marriage supporters of soapboxing and hypocrisy. Think about it.
Jeffrey
July 24th, 2012
9:48 am
As a gay man I applaud Chick-fil-a for standing up for what they believe in. If Mr. Cathy isn’t allowed to say what he believes in then where does that leave everyone else?
atlgirl
July 24th, 2012
9:49 am
@ Im just saying. YOU ARE SO CORRECTTTTTT!!!!!
I guess I need to come out and say I am addicted to Life saver gummies. I guess people will start hating me.
In my opinion, the Jim Henson Copmany was probably a successful company because of the partnership with the Chic Fil A chain.
Jim Henson company already knew that Chic Fil A was a christian based organization with strong beliefs.
David
July 24th, 2012
9:49 am
“applauded for standing by their beliefs” ?
The problem is that this belief system embraces discrimination. African-Americans haven’t always had their freedom. They haven’t always had the right to vote, and neither have women.
We attempt to improve as a society by adapting. We right wrongs where we find them, and this is the latest example.
In the 1800s there were Americans fighting (literally) to continue slavery. In the early 1900s, not everyone thought women should be able to vote. We look back now and think of these positions as examples of bigotry, or foolish at best.
Ask yourself, do we “applaud” todays white supremists for “standing by their beliefs”? Maybe it is time to adapt, and improve.
marie brown
July 24th, 2012
9:50 am
to the homosexuuals,get the book and read (bible) it all started in the beginning there is nothing new,GOD!!! created male and female and he told them to be fruitful and filll the earth multiiply..now the the last time i checked it still took a male and female to produce a child, which means being fruitful and mutiplying.now two women cannot do this or two men.so the bottom line is you dont have a problem with chickfila,or the president,or governor. you have a problem with GOD!!, these are his words take it up with him,and chickfila won’t lose a dime because, GOD,blesses even more when we stand on his word not the world. bravo chickfila.
Angela
July 24th, 2012
9:50 am
I was initially going to spend a great deal of money, but I now think I will have Chick-fil-A do the catering for my REAL, not pretend, wedding.
(That means I am becoming the wife of a guy, an actual man with real, working MAN plumbing.)
Snellville Dave
July 24th, 2012
9:50 am
You must remember that the Henson organization HAS to support their idea of diversity. Otherwise they would also lose business and revenue. Remember they promoted a wedding between a PIG and a FROG. And I think that one of their characters has a romantic thing for some of those chickens that cluck around the stage. Maybe the HENSON organization is concerned that their chicken characters are offended that the CFA company is frying, grilling and serving their relatives. Just a thought.
Mike
July 24th, 2012
9:50 am
When will all of you old people just die so my generation can take over and start making smart decisions for America?
Atlantaphotog
July 24th, 2012
9:51 am
Bravo to The Jim Henson Company. If CFA can take a stand, so can others who no longer wish to give them their money.
Kathy Marshall
July 24th, 2012
9:51 am
I heartily commend Chick-F-A for taking a stand against marriage between the same sexes. Marriage needs to remain as it is, a union between one man an one woman.
JB
July 24th, 2012
9:51 am
The gay population is around 2%. The main stream press and hollywood want you to think it’s about 40%….and if the 2% of gays quit going to CFA in protest and the 98% go more in support, ….the question is, Do they have that much chicken?
mgdawg
July 24th, 2012
9:51 am
Ekim, I guess you are telling us you have the intelligence of animals. Animals do whatever feels good to them, animals also kill each other and eat each other, are you also in support of cannibalism?
I took a class in college, a liberal arts college, and basically the professor talked about all the different kinds of sexes, and the teacher was very much in support of all of them. His basic theme was it doesn’t matter if you think you were born that way or not, it’s about what makes you feel good. We always questioned him about that, asking him should we always do what makes us feel good? I’m sure the guy that killed all those people in theatre a few days ago, when he was doing that it probably made him feel good. So should he be allowed to do that since it makes him feel good?
Tampa Gator
July 24th, 2012
9:51 am
People in the US are more concerned about the view of marriage by a Chick Fil A exec than they are about the fact that a person can freely buy as many assault weapons and explosives as he or she wants….and kill 6 year old kids in theaters. We are truly a society that has lost its way.
With that…..let me finish my chicken w/egg biscuit. Yum.
Parents: What video game is your child playing right now? Do you even know or care?
Not Thinned Skinned
July 24th, 2012
9:52 am
Just because I don’t agree with you or support your cause does not make me or any other person a racist, bigot, homophobe, mean spirtited or any other nasty trait some people want to label conservatives. People who throw these insults only want to shut down debate and silence those who disagee with them. It’s not working anymore…grow up.
Jim in Atlanta
July 24th, 2012
9:52 am
Chick-Fil-A made the same exact statement that voters in 29 states did (including CA) when they passed constitutional amendments defining marriage as a union between on man and one woman. Now the libs are trying to turn the tables by saying you are discriminatory if you believe in the traditional definition of marriage. Just like they tried to take the true meaning out of Christmas, the libs want to take the meaning out of marriage. This type of uproar will only make me patronize Chick-Fil-A even more.
David
July 24th, 2012
9:52 am
“applauded for standing by their beliefs” ?
The problem is that this belief system embraces discrimination. African-Americans haven’t always had their freedom. They haven’t always had the right to vote, and neither have women.
We attempt to improve as a society by adapting. We right wrongs where we find them, and this is the latest example.
In the 1800s there were Americans fighting (literally) to continue slavery. In the early 1900s, not everyone thought women should be able to vote. Most of us look back now and think of these positions as examples of bigotry, or foolish at best.
Ask yourself, do we “applaud” todays white supremists for “standing by their beliefs”?
Maybe it is time to adapt, and improve once again.
Not an issue
July 24th, 2012
9:53 am
Who cares? What’s more who’s surprised? If this is an issue in your life with all the real problems this country faces, please don’t vote. I go there for the chicken,not the politics.
LAK
July 24th, 2012
9:54 am
I grew up in Hapeville, home of the Dwarf House and Chick-fil-a. This was a source of pride for me and my home town. No more, this is a time when everyone should stand up and do what is right. To Truitt Cathy and his business, you are wrong. You depend on the public to survive. Gay people are the public. I will never eat another Chick-fil-a. I hope you have enough class to apologize before everything you worked so hard to accomplish is gone.
JB
July 24th, 2012
9:54 am
Jim Henson Company……………..Nobody hears a tree fall in the woods………and your product is adored by children…………WHO COME FROM MARRIED MEN AND WOMEN !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Al.B.
July 24th, 2012
9:54 am
Good job Chick-Fil-A. I don’t understand why get upset because of the company belief. A lot of us would love for Chick-Fil-A to open on Sunday but you don’t see us boycott the company…. Oh well, It Is What It Is…….
myother
July 24th, 2012
9:54 am
I thought marriage was between a man and a women.
a_mom
July 24th, 2012
9:55 am
“I’ll never eat there again!” – really? Like you had no idea before all this happened that they probably supported traditional marriage? All the gay folks going beserk about this remind me of the police chief at the end of Casa Blanca: “I’m shocked, shocked I tell you!”. What a bunch of hypocrites.
The Cathys have never made a secret of the fact that they are devout Christians and even close down on Sundays to allow their employees to worship and spend time with their families. I’m sure this has cost them millions in profits over the years, but they are living out their beliefs to do so. I whole-heartedly commend them for that. So why are some people acting so shocked now to hear that they support traditional marriage?!
For the record, they don’t require their employees or customers to be Christians and don’t discriminate against hiring or serving gays. I know that seems to be stating the obvious, but reading some of these comments makes me wonder if some of you know this.
Nate Miami
July 24th, 2012
9:55 am
@ Jerome Finally! An educated post on here! I was beginning to think the Atlanta education and over-all intelligence level was in further decline!!
@ Carla Take heed to Jerome’s comments – you might acually learn something!
Truett
July 24th, 2012
9:55 am
I knew it! I always thought the Muppets were a little light in their loafers,
Goat chin
July 24th, 2012
9:56 am
Dekou as followers of the way, you have free will to chose and it was decided at the beginning of time how marriage was defined. The backbone of this movement is redefining SIN and EVIL exist. If this was an Islamic country this discussion would be over and there would never be a debate. Execution throughout history is their judgement,. Christians preach tolerance and let GOD be the judge. We put bigots in jail for discrimination against GLBT and Chic-fi-la has not discriminated, there are gay workers at Chic-fi-la.
Bill
July 24th, 2012
9:56 am
Let Freedom Ring, last I heard the Dixie Chicks were still allowed to make music and sell their product to whoever wanted to buy it. Yes they were boycotted. No issue with that. No issue with people boycotting CFA. I do have issues with people who say that the Dixie Chicks OR Mr. Cathy have no right to an opinion or to speak out on their opinion.
Jon Mercer
July 24th, 2012
9:56 am
How ironic! If the mayor of Boston or any other city tried to block a pro-same sex marriage business from operating in his or her city because of their religious/political beliefs, the uproar would be tremendous. However, since the business supports traditional/Biblical values, it’s ok. I thought the pro-same sex marriage movement was about freedom of expression and speech. I guess that only applies to those with whom they agree.