Old lesbian atheist here. I came out 50 years ago, when things were pretty horrible for us homosexuals. Over the intervening decades, we fought against homophobia: police raids on our bars, living in fear of being found out and fired from our jobs or the military, losing custody of our kids, not being able to marry. And AIDS took a terrible toll. We've come a long way, and we're not going back.
If the Cathys refused to hire me or serve me, OK, maybe I could see the point of a boycott. To openly discriminate in that fashion is illegal in any case. But these days, I'd just work and eat someplace else. Thankfully, we still live in a free country, not a theocracy. Religious freedom is a fundamental right, and the Cathys are entitled to their faith. Why would I need to destroy their business? Anyway, based upon what Ms. Newton shares here, it's clear that the Cathys are good people, good citizens, devoted to helping others. For what it's worth, undoubtedly many of the people they help through their charities are gay. (How could there not be? We sinners are everywhere.)
It's important to pick our battles. I'm more concerned about the trans activists wearing "I Punch TERFs" tee-shirts who bully lesbians at the Pride Parade.
Dignity and respect. If we all treated others that way so many of our societal issues would fade away. As for chick'fil-a boycotters, you are punishing yourselves and denying yourself one of America's great treats. Extra pickles please.
Excellent article, Reid. I am with you all the way. On gay marriage, on the way to engage in political dialogue, and on those chicken sandwiches from Chick-fil-A. Also, whatever Dan Cathy's views, it astounds me how cavalier his critics are about the thousands of people who work for Chick-fil-A whose lives would be disrupted should any boycott ever succeed. There is both a cruelty and an implicit elitism in this sort of boycott strategy, a readiness to sacrifice many actual human beings (incluiding gay human beings) in the name of an abstract principle and cheap posturing.
Yes! Please, we need more people like you. I live in the very Christian land of Mississippi. As you know, southerners are stubborn but very compassionate and caring if you'll speak to them individually and we all need to embrace those who may not think like us, but will love us all the same.
Great article. I so agree that proximity and compassion and seeking our common humanity are the ways to achieve real progress. I have seen this play out in my own extended family. A cousin (and Uncle) whose views were homophobic. Cousin grows up. Has a daughter of his own. Daughter is gay (and now married). I’m sure there were probably a lot of uncomfortable moments and conversations— but they are close, and loving, and accepting.
Excellent article and excellent point. In my experience the more judgemental a person is, the more insecure they are in their belief, and they force it onto others as a way of proving it to themselves.
We all need more grace in our lives, and the only way to receive it is to present it to others.
ATAWAYTOGO! Keep speaking out against those who believe and say that if you are not a LGBTQ supporter, then you are a bigot+++ That across the board accusation is just not true. I am not a supporter nor am a hater. Live and let live…😎
Such a lovely article, and all the more so because it was written by a 26-year-old. I sometimes despair at the divisions in our culture and the lack of kindness and civility, but you have given me hope. It does seem that the walls have continued to gain height around so many identity groups where what we really need are more reminders of and opportunities to exercise our common humanity.
I took the same position with my family when I told my dad who I was at the age of 17 in 1981. Things were much different then and my grandparents had a very difficult time with my lifestyle as it was called then. I loved all of them and knew they loved me. So, I just kept showing up. Over the years, as I went through relationships, brought my partners to family gatherings, I was grateful to experience a deepening of those relationships. When my grandfather was 90, and I was I was around 40, he called to let me know that he had been watching my partner and I for a number of years. He was impressed with the way we had built our life and supported each other’s growth. He wanted me to know that he had changed his mind about my “lifestyle”. He wanted me to know that a 90 year old man could change his mind. Love did that. And time. I wouldn’t change a thing.
Controversy continues. I was at this school board meeting last night (as I often am being the teacher's union president, I feel obligated to go and witness for myself). Very emotive rhetoric used. I think the Chick-fil-A was built in 2020 BC (Before COVID), so hasn't been around that long. Have yet to try the restaurant. Was going to after I read Reid's piece in June but was just too busy.
The owner of Chick-fil-a is still today, donating millions to anti gay charities and is still speaking in public against lgbtq people. The writer of this article has internal homophobia and no self respect.
My daughter’s Muslim roommate needed a job. She had to pray a Christian prayer at every shift. We are Jewish and thank goodness my daughter found another job.
This is a garbage article. I suggest you raise your bar on what you choose to publish.
Thank you. We love Chik fil et too. Like you we find it to be gracious place to eat with great food. Thank you for quietly pushing back on the outrage that seems to grab everyone. I wish there was much less of it. I wish we could all get along even across diverse viewpoints.
Old lesbian atheist here. I came out 50 years ago, when things were pretty horrible for us homosexuals. Over the intervening decades, we fought against homophobia: police raids on our bars, living in fear of being found out and fired from our jobs or the military, losing custody of our kids, not being able to marry. And AIDS took a terrible toll. We've come a long way, and we're not going back.
If the Cathys refused to hire me or serve me, OK, maybe I could see the point of a boycott. To openly discriminate in that fashion is illegal in any case. But these days, I'd just work and eat someplace else. Thankfully, we still live in a free country, not a theocracy. Religious freedom is a fundamental right, and the Cathys are entitled to their faith. Why would I need to destroy their business? Anyway, based upon what Ms. Newton shares here, it's clear that the Cathys are good people, good citizens, devoted to helping others. For what it's worth, undoubtedly many of the people they help through their charities are gay. (How could there not be? We sinners are everywhere.)
It's important to pick our battles. I'm more concerned about the trans activists wearing "I Punch TERFs" tee-shirts who bully lesbians at the Pride Parade.
Dignity and respect. If we all treated others that way so many of our societal issues would fade away. As for chick'fil-a boycotters, you are punishing yourselves and denying yourself one of America's great treats. Extra pickles please.
Excellent article, Reid. I am with you all the way. On gay marriage, on the way to engage in political dialogue, and on those chicken sandwiches from Chick-fil-A. Also, whatever Dan Cathy's views, it astounds me how cavalier his critics are about the thousands of people who work for Chick-fil-A whose lives would be disrupted should any boycott ever succeed. There is both a cruelty and an implicit elitism in this sort of boycott strategy, a readiness to sacrifice many actual human beings (incluiding gay human beings) in the name of an abstract principle and cheap posturing.
Yes! Please, we need more people like you. I live in the very Christian land of Mississippi. As you know, southerners are stubborn but very compassionate and caring if you'll speak to them individually and we all need to embrace those who may not think like us, but will love us all the same.
What a generous and thoughtful essay, thank you!
Great article. I so agree that proximity and compassion and seeking our common humanity are the ways to achieve real progress. I have seen this play out in my own extended family. A cousin (and Uncle) whose views were homophobic. Cousin grows up. Has a daughter of his own. Daughter is gay (and now married). I’m sure there were probably a lot of uncomfortable moments and conversations— but they are close, and loving, and accepting.
Excellent article and excellent point. In my experience the more judgemental a person is, the more insecure they are in their belief, and they force it onto others as a way of proving it to themselves.
We all need more grace in our lives, and the only way to receive it is to present it to others.
ATAWAYTOGO! Keep speaking out against those who believe and say that if you are not a LGBTQ supporter, then you are a bigot+++ That across the board accusation is just not true. I am not a supporter nor am a hater. Live and let live…😎
Such a lovely article, and all the more so because it was written by a 26-year-old. I sometimes despair at the divisions in our culture and the lack of kindness and civility, but you have given me hope. It does seem that the walls have continued to gain height around so many identity groups where what we really need are more reminders of and opportunities to exercise our common humanity.
I took the same position with my family when I told my dad who I was at the age of 17 in 1981. Things were much different then and my grandparents had a very difficult time with my lifestyle as it was called then. I loved all of them and knew they loved me. So, I just kept showing up. Over the years, as I went through relationships, brought my partners to family gatherings, I was grateful to experience a deepening of those relationships. When my grandfather was 90, and I was I was around 40, he called to let me know that he had been watching my partner and I for a number of years. He was impressed with the way we had built our life and supported each other’s growth. He wanted me to know that he had changed his mind about my “lifestyle”. He wanted me to know that a 90 year old man could change his mind. Love did that. And time. I wouldn’t change a thing.
I'm a lesbian and I agree!
Controversy continues. I was at this school board meeting last night (as I often am being the teacher's union president, I feel obligated to go and witness for myself). Very emotive rhetoric used. I think the Chick-fil-A was built in 2020 BC (Before COVID), so hasn't been around that long. Have yet to try the restaurant. Was going to after I read Reid's piece in June but was just too busy.
https://www.theolympian.com/news/local/article266835596.html?ac_cid=DM707598&ac_bid=1038316635
The owner of Chick-fil-a is still today, donating millions to anti gay charities and is still speaking in public against lgbtq people. The writer of this article has internal homophobia and no self respect.
https://www.esquire.com/food-drink/restaurants/a36622217/chick-fil-a-owner-donations-against-equality-act/
My daughter’s Muslim roommate needed a job. She had to pray a Christian prayer at every shift. We are Jewish and thank goodness my daughter found another job.
This is a garbage article. I suggest you raise your bar on what you choose to publish.
I loved this article. Treating issues and people beyond binary positions should be the norm and not the exception.
It’s just a damn good chicken. Enjoy without going tribal.
Thank you. We love Chik fil et too. Like you we find it to be gracious place to eat with great food. Thank you for quietly pushing back on the outrage that seems to grab everyone. I wish there was much less of it. I wish we could all get along even across diverse viewpoints.