Chick-fil-A’s chicken sandwich and signature waffle fries have become more of a political statement than an after-class snack lately.
Last week, people packed Chick-fil-A restaurants nationwide in support of Dan Cathy, its president, who told the Baptist Press he is “guilty as charged” of supporting the Bible’s heterosexual definition of marriage.
On Change.org, petitions have been posted and signed by students and alumni from Texas to Indiana looking to get the fast food chain kicked off college campuses. One petition is now addressed to UF President Bernie Machen and had about 800 signatures at press time.
Chick-fil-A at the Hub is contracted through Aramark, a food service company that UF spokeswoman Janine Sikes said is an equal-opportunity employer.
“While many of our students and faculty members disagree with Mr. Cathy’s comments, which are certainly at odds with some UF policies, his remarks reflect his personal beliefs and are protected by the First Amendment,” she said.
LB Hannahs, director of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender affairs at UF, said free speech isn’t the issue.
“The issue is how much money Chick-fil-A is giving to anti-gay groups,” she said. “These groups are very hurtful and demeaning to folks.”
According to Campus Pride, a nonprofit that advocates LGBT rights on campuses nationwide, Chick-fil-A has funded anti-gay groups through its nonprofit arm. Such organizations include Eagle Forum, Family Research Council, Exodus International and Focus on the Family, which “aggressively work against the rights of LGBT people,” the organization wrote.
Since the controversy has grown just as Summer B comes to a close, Hannah said UF is waiting to see what happens come Fall semester.
“There hasn’t been a centralized response,” Hannahs said. “If something is going to happen, it would happen this fall.”
Bridget Siegel, president of the Pride Student Union, said her organization is still trying to figure out its response. It wants to team up with other campus organizations and hold forums to gauge opinions.
“It’s not about what was said or about one person,” the 20-year-old religion junior said. “It’s not about free speech. It’s about being human.”
Chick-fil-A’s stance opposing same-sex marriage has caused recent controversy and led to Change.org petitions to remove the fast food chain from college campuses.
