As more states recognize same-sex marriage, extreme Christians are increasing their crusade to preserve what they define as traditional marriage between a man and a woman. But, as we find them stepping out of the church and into the limelight, it is becoming clear that they are on the wrong side of history, and are no longer 'preaching to the choir'.
In England, the main opponent to allow gay couples to marry instead of becoming civil-partners is the church and the senior, prominent church members who wish to defend 'traditional' marriage.
Thankfully, and being half Scottish, Sarah can say this, the Scots have seen sense and as of today they have legailised gay marriage! This morning the Scottish Government put Scotland on the road to being one of the most progressive countries in the world when it comes to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) equality. They have gone further than the Westminister government proposes - allowing both civil and religious & humanist marriage in Scotland (for those religions that wish to conduct same-sex marriages). This is the most progressive option, allowing for equality and religious freedom. It’s not 100% there yet - the legislation still needs to be drafted, and passed by the Scottish Parliament. This will happen in the coming months, and with majority support in the Scottish Parliament, it is expected that the first same-sex weddings to happen will be in 2014.
Such great news and after a Pride March in London that had Google leading the way with the slogan ‘Legalise Love’ lets hope England is next!!! With Google employees located in offices around the world, they have policies focused on non-discrimination that are universal throughout the company. Their part in pride parades were deliberately to show they are proud to be recognised as a leader in LGBT inclusion and equality efforts! Legalise Love is their drive to ensure that all of their employees have the same inclusive experience outside of the office as they do at work.
We have all seen the news:
Yet those of us in committed homosexual relationships are banned from such a constitution because of a religion and so-called quotes in the bible that aren't even relevant anymore - see a great article explaining on our friends Sarah & Lauren's blog HERE!
In America, the battle to allow gay marriage is happening in states across the US but it was Chick-fil-A, an American fast food chain, president Dan Cathy's comments in the Baptist Press, that brought it back into National headlines! In the article he pleads "guilty as charged" for his company's advocacy of 'traditional' marriage based on biblical principles:
‘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 give God thanks for that. We operate as a family business ... our restaurants are typically led by families; some are single. We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that.’
To support this, the fast-food chain has made the commitment of donating millions of dollars to anti-gay groups and causes, including the Marriage & Family Foundation and the Family Research Council. The company's WinShape Foundation also has refused to admit gay couples to marriage counseling. Last year, Chick-fil-A cosponsored a marriage conference with the Pennsylvania Family Institute, which lobbied against a state effort to ban discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity. In another interview on the Ken Coleman Show, Cathy suggested that the nation could face God's wrath for supporting gay marriage!!!!
On a side note, another ignorant and ridiculous part of that quote is 'and we are married to our first wives.' Surely Chick-fil-A doesn't discriminate against heterosexual employees whose partners have died, so they've remarried, or who have divorced? We agree the divorce rate is much too high the world over, but it is just plain ignorant and dis-inclusive to include a statement like that. What about people who divorced out of abusive relationships? Are they no longer worthy to work at Chick-fil-A? This guy needs to be taught a lesson.
It is well reported that Chick-fil-A is a successful, private business that trains its employees "to focus on values rooted in the Bible." It stays closed on Sundays. It has over 1,608 restaurants nationwide and uses its sales to support sports stadiums, as well as at major sporting events, such as the Chick-fil-A Bowl in the company's hometown of Atlanta.
Don’t get us wrong - the president of Chick-fil-A is entitled to his opinion, and to run his business by his standards but when that involves casting public judgment over a part of society already discriminated against, then in our opinion that over steps the mark.
With that in mind, what we are loving this Wednesday is the backlash this homophobic, ignorant company is FINALLY receiving!
“Chick-fil-A doesn’t belong in Boston. You can’t have a business in the city of Boston that discriminates against a population. We’re an open city, we’re a city that’s at the forefront of inclusion,” Menino told the Herald.
“That’s the Freedom Trail. That’s where it all started right here. And we’re not going to have a company, Chick-fil-A or whatever the hell the name is, on our Freedom Trail.'’ Yay to the Mayor of Boston!!! We love the thought of having someone in government so open-minded and inclusive!
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| Read the Mayor's entire letter to Dan Cathy here! |
Everyone’s favourite childhood puppets are even taking a stand for gay marriage. The Jim Henson Company—creator of the Muppets—announced recently that it would no longer do business with Chick-Fil-A following recent anti-gay marriage comments made by Dan Cathy.
“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,” wrote the organization on its Facebook page. “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,” the post concludes.
As if all that wasn't enough, thousands of people have vowed to boycott the chain - there have been protests and demonstrations, Universities voting to oust the chain from their campuses, spoof videos, and there is even a same-sex 'kiss in' planned. The backlash from his comments no doubt surprised Dan Cathy, but obviously made enough of an impression that the company issued a statement - not apologising, but committing to staying out of politics in future. They very obviously know they are on the wrong side of history with this one - and the damage has been done. Their reputation will no longer be of great chicken, funny ad campaigns (Eat mor chikin) or 'family values' - but bigotry and hatred.
We hope that the tale of Chick-fil-A is a cautionary one to any other companies who want to spread homophobia and ignorance. What we love this Wednesday is not that Chick-fil-A royally put their foot in their mouth, but that people are coming together to defend the LGBT community, and we think this controversy has sparked support even from those who didn't have a strong opinion on the subject before.
Love always (& remember to give your hard earned money to companies who appreciate ALL of their customers),
Laura & Sarah xo
I can't believe this company is getting away with promoting this discrimination! I guess it's freedom of speech...but it's horrible! Hooray for the mayor of my wonderful city of Boston!!
ReplyDeleteI LOVE this post, I always feel rather emotional about people power, when people on mass stand up for the rights of others and demonstrate loudly and clearly that prejudice is not welcome. Always makes me think that maybe the masses can change this world for the better! Well done US states that aren't allowing Chick-fil-A to have a place in their state!
ReplyDeleteL & S xxx
Very well said girls! Let's hope BSU will see-the-light and kick them off their campus, and that people will boycott the new restaurant being built in downtown Boise! Did you see the reason C-F-A have stopped including Jim Henson's puppet toys in their kids meals?: "We apologize for any inconvenience but as of 7/19/2012 Chick-fil-A has voluntarily recalled all of the Jim Henson's Creature Shop Puppet Kids Meal toys due to a possible safety issue. Please be advised that there have not been any cases where a child has actually been injured, however, there have been some reports of children getting their fingers stuck in the holes of the puppets. We are offering a substitution of a complimentary Icedream cone in its place until a replacement toy is available." I bet the replacement toy has nothing to do with Jim Henson! :D
ReplyDeleteI have tried to keep an open mind aboiut this issuse as it relates to marriage and the protections it applies to a commited partnership.But the response it seems to me in a national same sex kissing day makes this more an issue about well.. sex.
DeleteBring one friend or bring 20 sounds more like a Roman Coliseum display of pomp and delusion. A measured response of responsible protest in plasce of lewd behavior would have gained respect about the issuse and it's real consequences for commited couples and their kids.