Wherever there is an opportunity for gay men and women to celebrate—a gay marriage win, a new anti-discrimination policy, the fun of gay pride—there's what seems like an omnipotent presence of anti-gay organizations, working tirelessly to kick back anything gay that's been started.
I've often wondered how their efforts could spread so far and be so strong. TV commercials, newspaper ads, door-to-doors campaigning, expensive Washington lunches... Where do they get the money?
Is my neighbor secretly writing checks to NOM? Are people doing charity bike rides or marathons in support of Exodus? Few know how deep the pockets of these organizations go; but I can tell you, you could fit more than your arm in it.
I'm not suggesting that pro-gay organizations raise lunch money in comparison; but when we're forced to think about how much money anti-gay orgs receive in donations, the idea is quite alarming.
For instance, $2 million. That's the amount Think Progress reports Chick-fil-A donated to Marriage & Family Foundation, Exodus International, and the Family Research Council in 2010. In total, the chicken franchise has given over $5 million to anti-gay organizations between 2003 and 2010. That's a lot of hand-made signs and champagne lunches. Plus, it's a flat out lie to what President Dan Cathy said in 2011, when the company was asked about its questionable donations.
"We're not anti-anybody," Cathy said after getting burned for catering an event for anti-gay group, Pennsylvania Family Institute.
So, what's changed? Absolutely nothing, with the exception of Cathy's public honesty.
Now Cathy says: "We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit." This statement appeared in a Baptist Press article published last week.
Luckily, more people are making Cathy choke on his inconsistencies. Late last week, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino made a statement that the franchise was not welcome in the city and that he will block any efforts for them to open in the area.
Over the weekend, the Muppets, adding to the dissent, said they will no longer supply toys for Chick-fil-A kid's meals. From their Facebook:
"The Jim Henson Company has celebrated and embraced diversity and inclusiveness for over fifty years and we have notified Chick-Fil-A that we do not wish to partner with them on any future endeavors. Lisa Henson, our CEO is personally a strong supporter of gay marriage and has directed us to donate the payment we received from Chick-Fil-A to GLAAD."
I've often wondered how their efforts could spread so far and be so strong. TV commercials, newspaper ads, door-to-doors campaigning, expensive Washington lunches... Where do they get the money?
Is my neighbor secretly writing checks to NOM? Are people doing charity bike rides or marathons in support of Exodus? Few know how deep the pockets of these organizations go; but I can tell you, you could fit more than your arm in it.
I'm not suggesting that pro-gay organizations raise lunch money in comparison; but when we're forced to think about how much money anti-gay orgs receive in donations, the idea is quite alarming.
For instance, $2 million. That's the amount Think Progress reports Chick-fil-A donated to Marriage & Family Foundation, Exodus International, and the Family Research Council in 2010. In total, the chicken franchise has given over $5 million to anti-gay organizations between 2003 and 2010. That's a lot of hand-made signs and champagne lunches. Plus, it's a flat out lie to what President Dan Cathy said in 2011, when the company was asked about its questionable donations.
"We're not anti-anybody," Cathy said after getting burned for catering an event for anti-gay group, Pennsylvania Family Institute.
So, what's changed? Absolutely nothing, with the exception of Cathy's public honesty.
Now Cathy says: "We are very much supportive of the family -- the biblical definition of the family unit." This statement appeared in a Baptist Press article published last week.
Luckily, more people are making Cathy choke on his inconsistencies. Late last week, Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino made a statement that the franchise was not welcome in the city and that he will block any efforts for them to open in the area.
Over the weekend, the Muppets, adding to the dissent, said they will no longer supply toys for Chick-fil-A kid's meals. From their Facebook:
"The Jim Henson Company has celebrated and embraced diversity and inclusiveness for over fifty years and we have notified Chick-Fil-A that we do not wish to partner with them on any future endeavors. Lisa Henson, our CEO is personally a strong supporter of gay marriage and has directed us to donate the payment we received from Chick-Fil-A to GLAAD."
Does anyone not understand that you can be pro-family but at the same time not hold malice against those that believe differently than you? There is all this talk about co-existence, but for some reason people think a person or group has to give up their own values and principles in order to respect others opinions and values. You can respectfully serve the gay community food and still be pro-family.