海角大神

From calls for a boycott to pledges of support,聽Chick-fil-A听辫谤别蝉颈诲别苍迟 Dan Cathy鈥檚 recent comments supporting traditional marriage have prompted strong reactions from groups on both sides of the issue.

Cathy鈥檚 remarks earlier this week to a Baptist website, in which he affirmed the Atlanta-based company鈥檚 belief in 鈥渢he biblical definition of the family unit,鈥� went viral Wednesday. Supporters and opponents of gay unions immediately weighed in.

鈥淲e know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles,鈥� Cathy told the Baptist Press.

As of Friday afternoon, more than 2,100 people had signed a pledge at Causes.com to boycott聽Chick-fil-A. The petition was sponsored by the Trevor Project, a national organization focused on suicide prevention efforts for LGBT youth.

鈥淎s customers, we can no longer stomach your intolerance and disrespect for countless LGBT citizens,鈥� the pledge reads. 鈥淯ntil your company鈥檚 values reflect the freedoms and dignities that all American citizens are due, we will no longer eat at聽Chick-fil-A!鈥�

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino told the Boston Herald he would work to block聽Chick-fil-A聽from opening a restaurant in the city. 鈥淵ou can鈥檛 have a business in the city of Boston that discriminates against a population,鈥� Menino said.

Several conservative organizations released statements of support for Cathy. The National Organization for Marriage, for example, called the son of聽Chick-fil-A聽founder Truett Cathy 鈥渁 corporate hero for marriage.鈥�

The company appeared to be trying to move beyond the issue, saying on its Facebook page that it would 鈥渓eave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.鈥�

鈥淭he聽Chick-fil-A聽culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect 鈥� regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender,鈥� according to the statement posted Thursday.