I see a glaring double standard here... Can you deny service/business based on personal beliefs or not??
http://www.ijreview.com/2015/08/400...m_term=conservativedaily&utm_campaign=Culture
Denver City Council Won’t Let Chick-fil-A Open a Restaurant in Their Airport Because of the Company’s Stance on Same-Sex Marriage
BY REID MENE (1 DAY AGO) | BUSINESS, CULTURE, NATION
IJRSHAREEMAIL
Denver City Council members are in a pickle after Chick-fil-A made a bid to renew a lease to build a Chick-fil-A restaurant inside the Denver International Airport (DIA).
The issue? The company’s reputation as an opponent of same-sex marriage.
According to the Denver Post, Councilman Paul Lopez called for opposition to the chain at DIA, stating that it’s:
“Really, truly a moral issue on the city.”
Robin Kniech, a Denver City Council Member, remarked during Tuesday’s meeting:
“I think the airport also has a question about our reputation. It has been the corporate philosophy [of Chik-fil-A] to use the dollars they earn to fund discriminatory lawsuits and to fund discriminatory political rhetoric. So that’s of concern to the extent that they will be forming profits from operating in our airport.”
Kniech’s statement is presumably based on reports that between 2010 and 2011, “Chick-fil-A’s corporate foundations increased their grants to anti-LGBT groups like the Marriage & Family Foundation…from $1.9 million to more than $3.6 million.” The MFF has a stated goal of “opposing” “homosexual advocates” who are “undermining unions.”
Chick-fil-A reduced its funding of anti-LGBT groups beginning in 2012, although according to the Advocate, as of 2013 they were still funding religious groups that some considered “questionable.”
In any event, out of the ten city council members to attend the meeting Tuesday, none defended the chain, whose president Dan Cathy stated three years ago that the “biblical definition of the family unit” did not include same-sex marriage.
Denver Chanel 7NEWS reached out to Chick-fi-A for a statement and received this response:
“Chick-fil-A is a restaurant company focused on serving great food and providing remarkable service to every single customer.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. and its franchised restaurant owners are equal opportunity employers, employing more than 75,000 individuals who represent many diverse viewpoints, opinions, backgrounds and beliefs.
We are humbled to be named to the 2015 ‘Top 10 Best Companies to Work For” list by 24/7 Wall Street and to be first in our category in customer satisfaction according to the 2015 American Customer Satisfaction Index.'”
The city council’s statements are being opposed by some, however. Wayne Laugesen, the editorial page editor for the Colorado Springs Gazette, told “Fox and Friends“:
“This is a very dangerous precedent. It is a blatant and flagrant violation of the First Amendment.”
Others cite economic reasons to allow a Chick-fil-A location. Neil Maxfield, thesenior vice president of concession, noted that a 2013 survey of airport users “identified Chick-fil-A as being the second-most sought-after quick service brand at the airport,” just behind Chipotle, which is already on location.
http://www.ijreview.com/2015/08/400...m_term=conservativedaily&utm_campaign=Culture
Denver City Council Won’t Let Chick-fil-A Open a Restaurant in Their Airport Because of the Company’s Stance on Same-Sex Marriage
BY REID MENE (1 DAY AGO) | BUSINESS, CULTURE, NATION
IJRSHAREEMAIL
Denver City Council members are in a pickle after Chick-fil-A made a bid to renew a lease to build a Chick-fil-A restaurant inside the Denver International Airport (DIA).
The issue? The company’s reputation as an opponent of same-sex marriage.
According to the Denver Post, Councilman Paul Lopez called for opposition to the chain at DIA, stating that it’s:
“Really, truly a moral issue on the city.”
Robin Kniech, a Denver City Council Member, remarked during Tuesday’s meeting:
“I think the airport also has a question about our reputation. It has been the corporate philosophy [of Chik-fil-A] to use the dollars they earn to fund discriminatory lawsuits and to fund discriminatory political rhetoric. So that’s of concern to the extent that they will be forming profits from operating in our airport.”
Kniech’s statement is presumably based on reports that between 2010 and 2011, “Chick-fil-A’s corporate foundations increased their grants to anti-LGBT groups like the Marriage & Family Foundation…from $1.9 million to more than $3.6 million.” The MFF has a stated goal of “opposing” “homosexual advocates” who are “undermining unions.”
Chick-fil-A reduced its funding of anti-LGBT groups beginning in 2012, although according to the Advocate, as of 2013 they were still funding religious groups that some considered “questionable.”
In any event, out of the ten city council members to attend the meeting Tuesday, none defended the chain, whose president Dan Cathy stated three years ago that the “biblical definition of the family unit” did not include same-sex marriage.
Denver Chanel 7NEWS reached out to Chick-fi-A for a statement and received this response:
“Chick-fil-A is a restaurant company focused on serving great food and providing remarkable service to every single customer.
Chick-fil-A, Inc. and its franchised restaurant owners are equal opportunity employers, employing more than 75,000 individuals who represent many diverse viewpoints, opinions, backgrounds and beliefs.
We are humbled to be named to the 2015 ‘Top 10 Best Companies to Work For” list by 24/7 Wall Street and to be first in our category in customer satisfaction according to the 2015 American Customer Satisfaction Index.'”
The city council’s statements are being opposed by some, however. Wayne Laugesen, the editorial page editor for the Colorado Springs Gazette, told “Fox and Friends“:
“This is a very dangerous precedent. It is a blatant and flagrant violation of the First Amendment.”
Others cite economic reasons to allow a Chick-fil-A location. Neil Maxfield, thesenior vice president of concession, noted that a 2013 survey of airport users “identified Chick-fil-A as being the second-most sought-after quick service brand at the airport,” just behind Chipotle, which is already on location.
They should have used that reason instead of specifically referencing their religious beliefs and opposition to gay marriage...
