I had a very interesting conversation recently with a friend of mine over the recent public boycott of Chick-fil-A. I say public boycott because I have been boycotting them for years, but it seems only recently has it hit the newsstands. The CEO of Chick-fil-A came out as saying that if you support marriage equality, then you "are inviting God's judgment on our nation," and that we "shake our fist at Him". Chick-fil-A has donated over $5 million dollars to anti gay organizations and hate groups. I know they are a Christian based organization, which is absolutely fine. I have a problem with the CEO imparting his views on a franchised business and using our money to donate to organizations I disagree with. So for that, I boycott them.
Some people I have known for a long time still eat there. I don't believe they feel their purchase of a chicken meal really makes any sort of difference. My friend had asked me how I felt about it; that people I knew, who supported me, were also eating at Chick-fil-A. He thought that was really back ass-wards that someone would do that, knowing they fund groups who are keeping marriage equality at bay. I told him simply this: people are simple. Most really don't think their actions have any sort of effect on the environment around them. That is why so many people litter. They have no concept that they are, little by little, destroying our Earth. Does it bother me that someone I know still eats there and doesn't care, just because they like their food? Yeah, it does. It hurts in my heart. Honestly, their food isn't that great. It's fast food. Fast food tastes like shit. It may smell good and it may taste good initially, but again, that's the media and the advertising and false smells they pump out to get your taste buds craving their food. I use to eat there, back in the day. Then I decided that I didn't like their tactics. So I stopped. And you know? I never craved it again.
Many times, I think people think "Oh there goes Lisa, preaching on her soap box again." Especially within my bio-family. But they don't realize how REALLY directly these actions e/affect me. The Effect is that funding toward these groups and organizations that keep Prop 8 and DOMA alive and well cause me to not have the same marriage rights as heterosexual couples, pay more taxes, simply because of who I love. The Affect is that my heart truly hurts. Because I *do* take it personally.
So nothing is new. Boycotting Chick-fil-A will stay. As will boycotting Rockstar and See's Candy. There are better energy drinks and better chocolate, pure and simple. And that is my choice. I choose where my money goes. And it won't go knowingly to support anti-gay hate groups.
