Celebs weigh in on Chick-fil-A flap
UPDATE: Chick-fil-A just announced the sudden death of its longtime spokesman this morning, reportedly from a heart attack. Here is a link to that story.
A number of celebrities have joined the myriad other commentators in discussing Chick-fil-A.
“Chick Fil A is delicious, give me a #1 with cheese cut in half,” tweeted Atlanta hip hop star Big Boi, who later tweeted, “Chick-fil-A is closed on Sunday in honor of the Sabbath, you know how many folk miss that chicken for 1 day.”
Roseanne Barr struck a differing tone, tweeting that anyone who dines at the restaurant chain “deserves to get the cancer that is sure to come from eating antibiotic filled tortured chickens 4Christ.” She later clarified her sentiments, saying she did not actually wish cancer on anyone. “I should have been more careful in choice of words,” she said in a follow-up tweet.
Also invoking medical conditions was celebrity blogger Perez Hilton, who tweeted, “I heard #ChickFilA gives you diarrhea!”
Atlanta native Ed Helms, the actor of “The Office,” “The Hangover” and “Jeff, Who Lives at Home” note, tweeted: “Chick-Fil-A doesn’t like gay people? So lame. Hate to think what they do to the gay chickens! Lost a loyal fan.”
Celebrities Roseanne Barr, from top left, Perez Hilton, Dave Ramsey and Big Boi have weighed in on Chick-fil-A
And Mia Farrow tweeted a link to an essay on the Think Progress website that said in part, “”There is … no accurate way to reduce Chick-fil-A’s words and actions to merely defending ‘biblical principles.’ This is — in every way, shape, and form — a company proactively engaging against the interests of LGBT people, and that is the quite justified reason for outcry.”
Prominent supporters of the Atlanta-based chain include pro hockey player Tim Thomas. “I stand with Chick-fil-A,” he wrote on his Facebook page. Mike Hubbard, speaker of the Alabama House of Representatives, had Chick-fil-A for breakfast today. “Treated my staff to breakfast from Chick-fil-A to support free speech, family values and delicious chicken biscuits,” he tweeted.
U.S. House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, on the other hand, tweeted, “For the record, I prefer Kentucky Fried Chicken.”
And San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee joined Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel in urging the chain to stay away. “Closest Chick-fil-A to San Francisco is 40 miles away and I strongly recommend that they not try to come any closer,” Lee tweeted.
Financial guru Dave Ramsey, a bestselling author and talk-show host who sells out stadiums all across the country with his live events, tweeted his support: “I LOVE Chick-fil-A food and Dan Cathy is a personal friend. I will be buying a biscuit on Aug. 1 to tell them I love them. Join me.”
He was referring to a movement spearheaded by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who is encouraging people to dine at Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1. Former presidential candidate Rick Santorum is actively supporting “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” as well. In a statement, the Rev. Billy Graham said he will participate as well.
“I … appreciate Gov. Mike Huckabee’s leadership and for encouraging Americans to support Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1,” he said. “As the son of a dairy farmer who milked many a cow, I plan to ‘Eat Mor Chikin’ and show my support by visiting Chick-fil-A next Wednesday.”
Atlanta author Jackson Pearce is urging a counter-movement on that date. “On … the day Mike Huckabee wants Chick-Fil-A supporters to patronize the restaurant, go to Chick-Fil-A. Ask for a large water and nothing else,” she said in a post on YouTube. “See if they adhere to Proverbs 25:21 (”If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink.”) and give it to you. If they do, yay! You took a few cents from their hate fund! If they don’t, well…I guess they’re proving their principals aren’t so ‘biblical.’”
The debate stems from Cathy’s comments regarding marriage.
“We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family unit,” he said in an interview with the Biblical Reporter. Here is a link to his entire statement.
While a number of economics experts pondered whether the flap will harm Chick-fil-A’s bottom line, University of Georgia marketing professor Sundar Bharadwaj told the Associated Press that it likely will weather the criticism relatively unscathed.
With more than 5.2 million Facebook fans and more than 180,000 Facebook users discussing it at the moment (according to a metrics snapshot), Chick-fil-A is certainly awash in commentary. The women on “The View” discussed it with Elisabeth Hasselbeck saying, “As citizens, if you don’t like something… you don’t have to buy anything there” and Whoopi Goldberg saying, “You don’t like what they’re doing, don’t go. But do not step on their right to have an opinion. This is still America.”
- Jennifer Brett/The Buzz/jbrett@ajc.com
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837 comments Add your comment
proud democrat
July 27th, 2012
8:19 am
isn’t obama doing a wonderful job solving all of our country’s problems…
ChristianOnTheFlint
July 27th, 2012
8:22 am
I think many people are missing Mr. Cathy’s true message.
Mr. Cathy, because he is a Christian, cannot condone what the Bible states is certainly a sin.
That being homosexuality.And as a person who puts Christ first and in the center of his life,
also as the Bible teaches, Mr. Cathy would be what non-Christians call a hypocrite if he supported
or condoned homosexuality in any sense of the word. Also, Mr. Cathy is not showing any disrespect
towards members of the gay community by stating his objection to homosexual marriage. He is simply
stating that his definition of marriage is between one man and one woman. He is merely expressing
his right as a free American to his freedom of speech guaranteed by the First Amendment.
Now, would you rather do business with a person that stands by what he truly believes and states that
belief for the record? Or would you rather do business with someone that lies through their teeth and
has no conviction at all, unless it will benefit their wallet? I know I would much rather eat at Chick-fil-a
than at a politician’s house!
Frito Bandito
July 27th, 2012
8:23 am
Typical of the liberals, though. Preaching tolerance until you disagree with them. Friggin’ hypocrisy at it’s finest !!!
JW
July 27th, 2012
8:27 am
I’ve taken a look at some of the charitable organizations Truett and Dan Cathy have donated to recently, and over the years. None of these organizations seem to directly suppress or target gays or lesbians… most simply express a belief in the Word and Christian values.
If anyone would like to check into them more indepth, the ones I found are…
Winshape Foundation, Exodus International, and Family Research Council.
Many blogs and sites can be found which talk about Chickfila donating millions to anti-gay organizations and hate groups, but apparently none were able to specifically name them.
Animal Control
July 27th, 2012
8:27 am
What a great marketing scheme- as if Chik-Fil-A needed it- to get everyone talking about your company. Be it bad or good attention; it’s still attention!
BrownEyedKitty
July 27th, 2012
8:28 am
I personally LOVE Chic Fil A. But I also have friends and Family that are gay. Is it a chioce for me? NO… But it is the choice they have made in there lifes.
Every one has the right to feel how they feel..
I hate football. But Im not going to tell some one who may LOVE football that they are wrong
JB
July 27th, 2012
8:30 am
This shark suit thug running Chicago cracks me up……..Can’t you just hear him and his staff talk. ” We have got to get off the front page of every paper in America about 20 murders a day here”..” Hey, go after this chicken man from Georgia about gay marriage and watch the press salivate over it and forget about these murders”…………….. ” Great idea Rahm says”.
CLOG
July 27th, 2012
8:33 am
LIKE ANYONE CARES WHAT ROSANNE BARR SAYS!!
ScaredOfTv
July 27th, 2012
8:35 am
I’ll be at Chick-Fil-A on Aug. 1.. Deal with it.. #gaybullies.. If we don’t like it we’re wrong… what does that make you for not appreciating our opinion…
mgdawg
July 27th, 2012
8:38 am
browneyed kitty, sandusky loves little boys, will you tell him him that his LOVE is wrong? Does he have the right to feel how he feels?
TG
July 27th, 2012
8:39 am
I’m glad the AJC dares show that everyone is not in agreement with the predators. Nothing was wrong with what Cathy said. Something is wrong with anyone who finds something wrong with that non-controversial statement.
JB
July 27th, 2012
8:42 am
Yes, we all have gay friends and co workers. This is silly. Saw Sam ( not his real name LOL) who is gay, ( yes , he’s out LOL) walk in this morning with a CFA bag. Bigger problems in this country than this. CFA is just an accessory to this powerful lobby.
Rob
July 27th, 2012
8:43 am
Dan Cathy has his views, lesbian and Gay people have their views, meet in the middle and shake hands and be happy you live in a land where you can express your views………..with out the fear of repercussions!
Kramer
July 27th, 2012
8:44 am
This is what is wrong with the extreme left. They want to shove their opinions down our throats and tell us we are bigots when we do not accept their view. When someone shares a view they don’t like, they tell us we will get cancer from eating the food, that we hate gays and we are bad people. I never thought I would agree with Whoopi but, she is dead on. I will be there on August, 1st buying biscuits for the entire office and I guarantee the wait will be long that day. As it is almost everyday at a Chick-Fil-A.
Noahbean
July 27th, 2012
8:44 am
Love El Mongol’s comment.
Kramer
July 27th, 2012
8:46 am
proud democrat
July 27th, 2012
8:19 am
isn’t obama doing a wonderful job solving all of our country’s problems…
Yes, and he has brought us together just like he said he would by preaching unity. What a wonderful man. (This is where I puke)
Rob
July 27th, 2012
8:48 am
LOL…Kramer!!!!….and so true
JW
July 27th, 2012
8:49 am
@ Rob… I don’t think the media will allow that! lol
Hunt
July 27th, 2012
8:49 am
I dont care if chickfila kills puppies in a sawmill. i will still buy the #3 with cheese.
Big Earl
July 27th, 2012
8:49 am
The LBGT community could care less about actual marriage….it’s all about money. Our society would readily allow civil unions, but this would not satisfy them. They want every law that’s been written that applies to the support of the traditional family unit (IRS filing options, Social Security Beneficiary Support, etc….) to retroactively apply to them. ITS ALL ABOUT THE MONEY!!! If LGBT marriage is approved on a Federal level then watch out, our deficit and federal expenditures projections will be even worse than they are now.
MS B
July 27th, 2012
8:50 am
Way to go James, however I do agree with Dan Cathy that marriage should be between a man and a woman because that’s what the Bible says but that doesn’t mean that I hate gay people because I don’t.at the same time we have got to stop picking and chooseing things in the bible you either honor all of it or none of it .there are many,many things in the bible that we totally ignore and we know that we are ignoring them and it’s mostly these same people that’s calling for this Chic-fil-a appreciation day on Aug 1st they are nothing but total hipocrites.
Kitty
July 27th, 2012
8:50 am
I’m sick and tired of people with different opinions and views being attacked and destroyed because it hurts someone FEELINGSSSSSSSSSSSSS. Grow up people!
A mom
July 27th, 2012
8:51 am
What I am most tired of is the blatant hypocrisy of the left. Anyone with conservative views is not allowed to share an opinion different from their own without an insane personal attack. So the CEO of a company has a view that you don’t share. So what. I daresay most of the companies I do business with have employees and executives with opinions different from my own. While I really don’t have a strong opinion either way on whether gays are allowed to marry (actually, let them share the marriage tax penalty), I have a strong opinion on the right to free expression. I’m glad to see Whoopie Goldberg actually defended the right for Mr. Cathy to express his opinion.
My family will be at a Chick Fil A on August 1 to show our support.
Against Saul
July 27th, 2012
8:53 am
Look how crazy this guy Saul is! I have seen some real lunatics before but geez. Saul, don’t go dying your hair red and stay awary from the movie theater.
Sally McCracklin
July 27th, 2012
8:53 am
OPEC member nations actually KILL gay people….I don’t see any libs boycotting gas stations.
Papa Pink
July 27th, 2012
8:54 am
What ever happened to “Free Speach”. The Gay people want the freedom to marry, but get upset when a man of GOD expresses his opinions. I don’t hear any complaints when companies contribute to the liberals and their political party, but when a company speaks the truth everyone gets upset. Chick-Fil-A is one of the most successful companies out there and treat their employees fairly. Truitt has been a foster parent to over 250 children and helped them go to college if they wanted. Chick-Fil-A has given back to the community more than many people know. They contribute in many ways that the public does not know, because they do it in private.
GOD Bless Chick-Fil-A and the USA.
Raul Escobar
July 27th, 2012
8:54 am
No one has to give anyone in this country the OK to express their opinion. The Constitution already does that.
Big Earl
July 27th, 2012
8:55 am
The LGBT community is no longer satisfied with “acceptance” of their lifestyle, society must “condone” their lifestyle in order to satisfy them….I pray our society never let’s this happen. Our country is truly becoming the modern day Sodom and Gomorrah!
JB
July 27th, 2012
8:55 am
You need to think about the psychology of the vile, hateful reaction from the gay community and why they are so reactionary and defensive……… It’s because it’s something that is wrong ( by the worlds standards, which is all we have). Most of them know and spend hours daily among themselves as a group talking about it excessively and defending it with each other while knowingly looking at the worlds biological world order ( see the animal world) that it’s not right. God made man in his image. He created the world to reproduce and replenish the earth with intercourse between a man and a woman………….Of course, the problem is they think the bible was written by the GOP 40 years ago and it has no standing.
Drew
July 27th, 2012
8:55 am
Ate there yesterday will eat there again many times. Wonderful to know I do not have to see many Hollywood sickos like BArr and Hilton when I do. You people oare the intolerant ones, not chick filet
Get over Yourselves
July 27th, 2012
8:56 am
They also serve healthy food such as salads Idiot Saul!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Phil
July 27th, 2012
8:56 am
What’s all this fuss about Chick-Fil-A? The Cathy’s didn’t build the company, Obama did. Those that are upset should give his office a call.
Janice
July 27th, 2012
8:56 am
Seems that tolerance only applies if you agree with their view. Everyone is entitled to your own opinion an if you don’t like someone else’s then don’t eat there….What’s the big deal.
dawgfan
July 27th, 2012
8:57 am
I just feel lucky that I live in a society where this is the only kind of crap we have to worry about. Half the planet’s population lives in poverty and doesn’t know where their next meal will come from, but we’re over here b!tching and moaning like a bunch of divas about some dude’s opinion on whether gay people can get married. Simpy unbelievable. I can’t think of a bigger waste of my life than arguing about gay freaking marriage. That goes for all of you, whether for it or against it. Good grief just shut up. This whole “flap” is embarassing. No wonder the rest of the world thinks we’re a bunch of self-absorbed morons.
Thanks.
J.p
July 27th, 2012
8:59 am
Last time I checked Mr. Cathy is entitled to his opinion regardless if it offends anybody. And to bad mouth the chain itself is freaking childish. Why don’t you go to him and ask him why he said what he said. Think of it as you are just as bad as he by posting asinine comments. Go to him and ask him why he posted that or said that instead of being childish. And if the shoe fits wear it.
Suebee
July 27th, 2012
9:00 am
I don’t know why everyone is so surprised at Chick-Fil-A’s stance on marriage. Everyone knows the founder built the company based on Christian values. Just because the owner believes in the biblical definition of marriage, it does not mean the company discrimenates against race, religion, or sexual orientation as employees or customers. They will sell to anyone, except on Sundays.
DawginLex
July 27th, 2012
9:02 am
There is no bigotry or hatred involved. They never said they hate gay people.
They said they believe in the Biblical version of marriage, one man and one woman.
They have a right to believe that, you know?
Show me one single quote where they said they hate gay people.
I will save you time because there is not one!!!
vladamir sonovabitch
July 27th, 2012
9:02 am
I’m married, straight as an arrow. I have male gay friends and my wife’s best friend is a lesbian who is married to her partner. I personally don’t give a rat’s @$$ what some company’s position is on gay marriage. I like chick-fil-a. Always have and always will and BECAUSE of all the crap the libs are giving them, I plan on eating more chick-fil-a than normal. I’ll go there on the 1st for sure.
….and as for what celebrities think….? Celebs are just plain stupid. A majority of them do not have an education beyond H.S.
Banks
July 27th, 2012
9:02 am
As all of this flap has been going on I have thought long and hard about what “Jesus would do” and I just don’t see Jesus being a bigot or hating anyone. Everyone on both sides of this is so determined that they and only they are right that the seem to have forgotten that God really gave all of us just two tenants; love him and love each other and I see no love at all here.
The Cathys have the right to whatever they believe and bear the personal responbility for thir choices and beliefs and those who disagree bear the same and should no support CFA in any way any longer. I would venture to say that instead of all of this time and effort on a place that sells food that will help kill you and make you sick in a hurry (ask any doctor) maybe it would be better to focus on sometings in your communites that could actually help someone. There are hungry children right here in Atlanta, lonely and isolated seniors, abused and neglected children and the list goes on and on. So I would suggest to stop this vollying of hate back and forth and do something that is actually pleasing to God and benefits your fellow man.
JB
July 27th, 2012
9:03 am
Burppppppppppppppppp…. Sorry, it was the CFA biscuit………and boy was it good. I will be giving CFA gift cards for Bday and Xmas presents………I also Emailed the company yesterday to show support. Easy to do. Click on their site and hit contact us. Let them hear from you.
David
July 27th, 2012
9:05 am
Many may not know that this issue will not affect the bottom line. They are debt free. Just as God wants us to be. RGB is right. No one can show that this company has ever discrimnated against anyone. They set the rules by which the company should be run and you follow the rules knowing ahead of time who you are working for. People also have a choice not only eating where and what they want but working too.
Big Earl
July 27th, 2012
9:05 am
I hope all Christian African Americans reading this come to the realization that the Democratic Liberal Left does not share most of their beliefs. I implore you, please look at what each party and candidate running for office stand for, not simply the color of a candidates skin. Don’t be ignorant! If you do this, I guarantee you that 90+% of Africans American WOULD NOT VOTE DEMOCRAT.
JB
July 27th, 2012
9:05 am
I love the comment about OPEC and gays buying gas…..boy, you think mr. Cathy has an opinion about gay marriage, check the OPEC boys out.
OEStar
July 27th, 2012
9:06 am
I am a proponent for same-sex marriages and LGBT rights but I still love Chik-fil-A. Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but you shouldn’t impose your opinion on others. Mr. Truett, through Chik-fil-A, made his feelings known, which he has that right, and left it at that. It is up to the people whether they agree or not. You don’t have to buy his food. It is a CHOICE people.
Phil
July 27th, 2012
9:07 am
dawgfan, I couldn’t agree more. Why is it that ANY news of this type ALWAYS starts with what the self-absorbed Moronic ‘celebrities’ think about it. And, talk about hate mongering, Roseanne Barr hopes we all get cancer and die. Now there’s someone with a truly liberal point of view.
JB
July 27th, 2012
9:07 am
Big Earl………….Great point……..At the fall fair, the Democrat tent, they are giving away fish……….Over at the GOP tent, they are giving fishing lessons..
Rich
July 27th, 2012
9:07 am
It is funny that the pro gay agenda proponents want everyne to be inclusive, but they are not inclusive of people with different views.
dont hate
July 27th, 2012
9:08 am
WHY DO YOU CARE IF PEOPLE ARE GAY????? HAVE YOU EVER BEEN ATTACKED BY A GAY PERSON?????
Open minded, free thinking, and intelligent people we need to get together and have lots of children. If we do this this maybe in twenty years we may be able change things in this world that really matter. Does gay marrage and abortions really hurt ANYONE????
Watch the movie ETHOS it may may open your mind a little
damien
July 27th, 2012
9:08 am
People were raied on certan PRNCIPLES and BELIEFS. If you are gay thats your business. IF you cant take an opinion of someone else go crawl under a rock. Dont nobody say nothing when they have these parades all across the nation. This is starting to make me sick that this gay topic is in the media everyday. I dont believe nor support it just as I dont do the sale of drugs. Alot of people dont theyu just are scared to say it i.e President Obama. I love Chick-fI-LA na d if the GAYS DONT EAT IT MORE FOR ME.
Aaron
July 27th, 2012
9:08 am
It’s funny people are using all their energy to attack Chik-fil-a when our own politicians are the ones who are making same-sex marriages illegal. I mean is all this outcrying just over Chik-fil-a saying they don’t support it worth it? If you want to change people’s minds about the issue I don’t think a fast food restaurant is the place to start. You’re not going to be able to go into Chik-fil-a and walk out with a marriage license.