MEMPHIS, TN— Hundreds of Mid-Southerners are expected to participate in "National Same-Sex Kiss Day at Chick-fil-A." It comes two days after "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day." This food fight created a bonanza of business after the company's CEO took a stance against gay marriage.
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender groups across the country are encouraging couples to go to a Chick-fil-A restaurant and take a photo or video of themselves kissing. It's flooding social media sites like Facebook and Twitter. Organizers say they are not protesting against the Chick-fila's CEO's Christian beliefs, but of his millions of dollars he's spent on anti-LGBT hate groups.
"That’s their right to support what they believe in,” said William Batts, Director of the Memphis Gay & Lesbian Community. “On the other hand, it’s the right of people who support equality to say we support equality and won’t support Chick-fil-A because of their stand."
Customers heard about the National Same-Sex Kiss Day at Chick-fil-A. Some say they would be offended if they witnessed same sex couples kissing while ordering food.
"I think that's unethical,” said Chick-fil-A customer Michael Payne. “I’m going to raise my children in a Christian environment. I'm sure they (gay people) have their rights but I know what's right and what's wrong."
Others didn't care if they saw same sex couples kissing in public.
"I wouldn't have paid any attention," said another customer, Bill Finn. “If they want to kiss each other or do whatever they want then good luck. I came here because it's a fine sandwich, it's wonderful."
ABC 24 News asked a Chick-fil-A manger in midtown Memphis what he would do if he saw a same sex couple kissing inside his restaurant. He smiled and said, "It would be business as usual."
Whether you support gay marriage or not, business at many Chick-fil-A locations is booming. Memphis organizers say they expect about 200 people to show up at Chick-fil-A on Union Avenue at 6:45pm on Friday with signs supporting gay rights. That's the same time when protesters will gather at other Chick-fil-A's across the country and spread their message of uniting families, not dividing them.
