GREENVILLE, SC (FOX Carolina) -
A popular fast food restaurant closes its doors every Sunday because of the founder's religious beliefs, and now the company's president has taken a stance on gay marriage.
The fallout from Chick fil-A president Dan Cathy's position is not going away.
It's the famous fried chicken sandwich wrapped in foil. Chick-fil-A restaurants are known for its "Eat More Chikin" slogan - and now some will eat, and others won't.
"I was just really hurt by it," Ra'Shawn Barlow-Flournony said.
Flournony is a gay rights activist in the Upstate. He married his partner last year and says he no longer supports Chick-fil-A because of comments made by Cathy.
"I understand that it's his personal opinion; however, again, that's one of those things that's kind of dividing our country," Flournony said.
During a radio interview on the Ken Coleman Radio Show about fatherlessness in America, Cathy commented about gay marriage.
"I think we're inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say, you know, we know better than you as to what constitutes marriage," Cathy said. "And I pray God's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we would have the audacity to try and redefine what marriage is all about."
Cathy is getting support from many throughout the country. Pastors and politicians are organizing an "Eat More Chikin" Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day on Aug. 1. Kathy Hopkins said she supports Cathy's right to stick to his religious beliefs.
"Just because he's against gay marriage doesn't mean he hates gay people," Hopkins said.
She said everyone has a right to their opinions and religious beliefs.
"I don't think we should boycott because he has expressed the way he believes," Hopkins said.
But, Barlow-Flournony plans to boycott. He said the gay marriage comments are just too hard to swallow.
"I'm working with a team of people to do a do not eat Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1," Flournony said.
Donald Perry, vice president of public relations with Chick-fil-A, released this statement:
"The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect - regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena," Perry said.
Copyright 2012 FOX Carolina (Meredith Corporation). All rights reserved.
The Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A restaurant chain has numerous locations across the Upstate. (File/FOX Carolina)
