(8/1/2012) NEW YORK, NY – Despite the fact that there is only one, lone, single Chick-Fil-A restaurant in the entire State of New York, at NYU, local politicians have already taken opposing views of the national fried chicken fast food outlet, after Chick-Fil-A’s president, Dan Cathy, voiced his opinion against gay marriage.
New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, in an interview on WOR radio’s John Gambling Show, said that New York would welcome Chick-Fil-A to the city, despite it’s founder’s opinions. Bloomberg, reacting to statements in opposition to the restaurant by Chicago Mayor Rahm Emmanuel and mayors from San Francisco and Boston, the New York mayor stated that it was not the government’s job to block a company because of its owner’s views.
Openly-gay New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn came under fire for sending a letter on official city letterhead to New York University, where the lone Chick-Fil-A branch in the entire state is located, urging the university to evict the restaurant, and breaking from the mayor's position. Had she done so as a private citizen, it probably would not have brought as much outcry; her use of official city letterhead, however, has intensified critics. Even former NY Governor Elliot Spitzer, now a television talk-show host, said he would never go to the restaurant again.
No other New York Republican politicians, including Tea Party Republican Nan Hayworth, have made any public statements about the issue as of yet, perhaps due to the fact that there is only one Chick-Fil-A in the state. Nationally, however, right-wing pundits from Mike Huckabee to Sarah Palin have shown their support for the chain, and GOP lawmakers in Washington tweeted their photos of Chick-Fil-A food and voiced their support.
Chick-Fil-A has long been known for its conservative roots, visible in its requirement that all of its restaurants are closed on Sundays. The Cathy family itself proudly wears their spiritual dedication on their sleeves through a family blog, sharing their thoughts on community, company and their faith. Notably, the company issued a statement on Tuesday, backpedaling from their President’s beliefs, affirming their commitment to “treat every person with honor, dignity and respect- regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender” and leaving the gay marriage debate to the politicians and policy makers in government.
For More Information:
- Should cities boycott Chick-Fil-A over gay marriage?
- Bloomberg says Chick-Fil-A can roost in NYC
- Quinn breaks with Bloomberg over Chick-Fil-A: ‘Not Welcome’ in NYC
- NYC official draws ire in attempt to run Chick-Fil-A out of town
- GOP feasting on chicken for ‘Chick-Fil-A Day’
- Chick-Fil-A statement on the Gay Marriage controversy
- Cathy Family Website
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