ACLU backs Chick-fil-A

Cosmo wrote:

comebackgirl wrote:

While I don't think the government should be involved in this, I do think the public has a right to express their support or condemnation for the views by whether or not they choose to give Chick-fil-A their business. The students on our campus are in a predicament though. They're required to pay student fees that help pay for all of food services on campus, including Chick-fil-A. Anyone living on campus has to have a food plan, and the food plan covers all of the eateries on campus; they don't get a say in that. So the LGBT students and their allies are in a way forced to support this establishment. I think that's an issue. I don't know if the school would remove Chick-fil-A from campus or change the way food service fees are set up, but it's creating a stir and everyone is still on summer break.

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The school is in a tight spot and I think having the institution try to remove them would be a bad move. That is a tought one. One alternative would be to alter the food plan and let the students choose which food services get what percentage of their costs. This would allow those whom oppose Chik-a-fil to place their money in other places... and those whom support them to do the opposite. The same way a vegetarian, for example, could ship his funding to vegetatrian outlets, instead of McDonalds.
But, I completely understand personal boycotts and/or support.

I think students would like to have the option of determining where their money goes. There has been some other discussion for a while of students not wanting to support unhealthy food options and wanting the option to opt out of the meal plans all together. At this point, students can only opt out if they can document a disability, but that's usually hard to do since our food service contractor says they can "accommodate any" food allergy or restrictions. Quite a few of us have wanted Chick-fil-A and some of the unhealthier food establishments removed from the beginning and replaced with something healthier because most of what is available right now is fast food (aside from Dunkin' Donuts because I need a caffeine fix. I would prefer Wawa, but that doesn't seem to be an option :oops: ). Typically the school wants to please students within reason, so it will be interesting to see how this plays out. Our Pride Alliance has a fairly strong and well-respected presence on campus, and they have been talking about having Chick-fil-A removed since last year. I partner with the Pride Alliance on a lot of events and feel it's important to support them in their request.

PJ_Soul wrote:

I'd be interested to hear how that turns out! I work at a university, and I really don't know what my school would do in that situation, but I suspect they'd definitely do something - there is a strong LGBT community here, and the university is behind them.

I will definitely post an update if anything happens. I imagine that the school will do something if there are enough students speaking out about this since they want to please their customers, and that is the student body.

cincybearcat wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

I bet they only hire heterosexuals though... I'm sure you have to be straight to work there. I really don't see the difference. In fact, it's worse.

You bet huh? But really, you have no idea whatsoever and you are just Assuming.

I'm assuming that if someone came in and was the most qualified for the job but he/she mentioned being gay in the interview they wouldn't get the job. That's discrimination.

cincybearcat wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

I bet they only hire heterosexuals though... I'm sure you have to be straight to work there. I really don't see the difference. In fact, it's worse.

You bet huh? But really, you have no idea whatsoever and you are just Assuming.

Yeah, of course.

MotoDC wrote:

Cosmo wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

I bet they only hire heterosexuals though... I'm sure you have to be straight to work there. I really don't see the difference. In fact, it's worse.

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The thing is... we don't know. And if they DO discriminate against Gays, they cannot ask if someone is gay or not.... that is against the law and they will have to face the consequences.

I thought that, too, but if you look at the federal EEOC statement, homosexuals are not a "protected class".
http://www.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/ee ... poster.pdf

I could be wrong in my interpretation, but sexual orientation is definitely not explicitly stated there.

Then that just shows how far behind we are...

WaveCameCrashin wrote:

And furthermore I find it funny that people who are boycotting chic-fil-a are actually holding a fast food est. to higher moral standard than they do our own president. :?

:fp:

what is that supposed to mean anyway??

how is the president in favor of discriminating against gay people and how is he in favor of preventing them from getting the same civil rights that all of the rest of us take for granted??

gimmesometruth27 wrote:

WaveCameCrashin wrote:

And furthermore I find it funny that people who are boycotting chic-fil-a are actually holding a fast food est. to higher moral standard than they do our own president. :?

:fp:

what is that supposed to mean anyway??

how is the president in favor of discriminating against gay people and how is he in favor of preventing them from getting the same civil rights that all of the rest of us take for granted??

i know the answer won't make any sense but

:corn:

PJ_Soul wrote:

Cosmo wrote:

PJ_Soul wrote:

I bet they only hire heterosexuals though... I'm sure you have to be straight to work there. I really don't see the difference. In fact, it's worse.

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The thing is... we don't know. And if they DO discriminate against Gays, they cannot ask if someone is gay or not.... that is against the law and they will have to face the consequences.
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I'm all for Gay Marriage rights. I am against local governments trying to impose penalties on people's legitimate business, because of their owner's opinions. Just as I would be against a local government restricting permits for a legitimate business whose owner supports Gay Marriage.
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As for the Chik-a-fil thng... if people want to boycott or support them, for whatever opinion they have, fine. I just think this thing has gotten way overblown... mostly BECAUSE of the boycotts and protests and the politicians raised it to a higher level by trying to restrict access to them as a business.

I'm not for any penalties from the government either. I've already said that history will judge these fuckers harshly, and that civil rights take time.... was anyone suggesting that the government intervene?? If so, I didn't see that post.

I don't think this has been overblown though. It think shit like this SHOULD be made into a big deal. It brings attention to the issue - it is part of the fight for civil rights. Ignoring this kind of thing is what allows the bigotry to continue. This kind of thing should always be called out and rallied against IMO. The issue needs to stay in the forefront; not be swept under the rug. People need to stay mad and aware I think. The FIGHT needs to be as pronounced as possible. Change will not happen over time if people just keep it nicey-nice.

I absolutely agree that it has not been overblown. And let's be clear, this is not the first time that people have made a concerted effort to stop eating at CFA because of their beliefs. While Cathy and everyone else who supports an anti-gay marriage stance has every right to state their opinion (just as I do) what is wrong with this whole thing is the fact that they send money to hate groups. CFA has supported the Family Research Council which has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. That is not ok with me.

Cosmo wrote:

I suppose their best defense is a good Gaydar. If you can't ask, then you have to guess... I guess. I know, some people are obvious, like Richard Simmons, Ryan Seacrest and Rick Santorum... but, most look just like reg'lur everyday Joe's and Janes.

gimmesometruth27 wrote:

WaveCameCrashin wrote:

And furthermore I find it funny that people who are boycotting chic-fil-a are actually holding a fast food est. to higher moral standard than they do our own president. :?

:fp:

what is that supposed to mean anyway??

how is the president in favor of discriminating against gay people and how is he in favor of preventing them from getting the same civil rights that all of the rest of us take for granted??

if you cant figure it out than forget it.

riotgrl wrote:

I absolutely agree that it has not been overblown. And let's be clear, this is not the first time that people have made a concerted effort to stop eating at CFA because of their beliefs. While Cathy and everyone else who supports an anti-gay marriage stance has every right to state their opinion (just as I do) what is wrong with this whole thing is the fact that they send money to hate groups. CFA has supported the Family Research Council which has been designated as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. That is not ok with me.

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Well... see, I did not know that. In my opinion, those guys are fucking assholes.