Alex Charlebois
February 6/14
Ethics T-TH 12:30
Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, A Basis of the Christian “Family Unit”
In early July 2012, Dan Cathy the Chick-fil-A company president affirmed to the
Baptist Press of North Carolina that his company backs the traditional family unit. He
was quoted saying, “We are very much supportive of the family – the biblical definition
of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are
married to our first wives. We thank God for that”. Cathy continued to mention that not
everyone will agree, but they operate based on the values of the bible and God’s
definition of marriage. Dan Cathy’s firm stance lead to controversy across the free
market.
This topic has two very obvious sides, the first is those people who are opposed to
Cathy’s stance and express anger of the discrimination towards gays and their rights of
freedom. A prime example of this is the Jim Henson Co., which provided Muppets toys
for Chick-fil-A kids meals. They pulled their toys and partnership with the restaurant
because they did not agree with Chick-fil-A policies. Also, the mayors of both Boston and
Chicago opposed to opening restaurants in their locations when Chick-fil-A was looking
to expand. Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel expressed these thoughts when quoted saying
“Chick-fil-A’s values are not Chicago values.” On the other side, Republican politicians
