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Eugene Delgaudio, president of the nonprofit Public Advocate of the United States, released a statement Tuesday urging people to back Chick-fil-A and to support the restaurant’s stance on gay marriage.
The restaurant chain, which has been making headlines in the past week, is known for being a Christian store that’s closed on Sundays and having a stance against gay marriage. Controversy over the restaurant came after Chick-fil-A’s President and COO Dan Cathy appeared in the Daily Baptist Press July 16, according to numerous news reports.
According to The Baptist Press, Cathy said, “We are very much supportive of the family—the biblical definition of the family unit,” Cathy said. “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”
His statements then sent social media into a frenzy, with blasts over Twitter and Facebook.
Today marks Chick-fil-A appreciation day, where customers can decide either to back the chain or stand against them. According to CNN.com and the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, as a counter-protest, same-sex marriage organizations are asking people to donate the approximate cost of a Chick-fil-A meal to gay and lesbian rights groups, which comes to about $6.50.
“I’m urging you to shop at Chick-fil-A. Buy dinner, buy lunch. They’ve taken a stand on moral values,” Delgaudio said in his YouTube video. “They’ve taken a stand on traditional values, we should stand with them. And if there’s no Chick-fil-A near you, you should go call them and tell them that you’re behind them all the way. You should buy stock in Chick-fil-A, my goodness, that will really upset those homosexual lobbies, wouldn’t it?”
Delgaudio’s nonprofit group Public Advocate of the United States has been designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an anti-gay hate group.
Delgaudio, who serves as the Sterling representative for the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, has been making headlines in previous month for his nonprofit’s agenda toward the gay community.
According to his release, Delgaudio was scheduled to be at the Chick-fil-A in Sugarland Crossing across from the Burlington Coat Factory in Sterling for breakfast, lunch and dinner, along with “many local Sterling Americans who respect the right to practice our respective religious beliefs without harassment or public attack by any government official,” the email reads.
The mayors of Boston and Chicago have stated in the past week their stance against Chick-fil-A’s anti-gay marriage. Delgaudio says the two are violating the Constitution.
“I consider the decision of these two mayors to condemn a private company and to further announce a public condemnation of their ability to even attempt to operate in their respective cities to be a public disgrace and a violation of their respective oaths of office to uphold the Constitution of the United States,” the email reads. “Their respective populations in Chicago and Boston elected them. But they are in violation of the U.S. Constitution and the free market.”
The suspect “made statements regarding their policies, and then opened fire with a gun striking a security guard,” a source told Fox News. WJLA-TV7 reported the suspect was also shot. Sources also said the gunman may have been carrying a bag from Chick-fil-A, the embattled fast-food restaurant whose president came under fire from gay activists after he said he did not agree with same-sex marriage.
Sources told Fox New that after guard took away his gun, the suspect said, “Don’t shoot me, it was not about you, it was what this place stands for.”
A security guard at the Family Research Council headquarters in Washington, D.C., was shot in the arm by a gunman who sources said expressed disagreement with the conservative group’s policy positions.
The guard, who was not identified, was conscious after the shooting and was being treated. The shooting occurred in the Chinatown neighborhood Wednesday morning. The gunman was apprehended and was being questioned by the FBI, sources said.
The suspect “made statements regarding their policies, and then opened fire with a gun striking a security guard,” a source told Fox News.
Authorities were treating the attack as a case of domestic terrorism.
“The police are investigating this incident,” Family Research Council President Tony Perkins said. “Our first concern is with our colleague who was shot today. Our concern is for him and his family.”
@ MSwierczek -
the majority of people were supporters of the 1st amendment and traditional values. That s why everyone came out to show their support for Dan Cathy and Chik-Fil-A. Now compare this show of support with an Occupy Wall Street protest. No comparision. I even saw many people clean up their own table after they were through eating so some else can sit down due to the fact the the restaurant staff were obviously overwhelmed. You would never see that at an occupy wall street protest. Do you remember MacPherson Square when the OWS were cohabitating with the rats? These are facts. I was proud to be associated with the support that millions of people from across the country gave Chik-Fil-A and Dan Cathy on Wednesday. No Problems, No police, everyone was polite and courteous and we were all sanitary.
LC, we all (at least I hope we do) revere the First Amendment. Can you explain why you feel that this is a freedom of speech issue in the first place? In what way do you feel that the freedom of speech of anyone associated with CFA has been abridged?
You may want to review the First Amendment you claim to celebrate. It says that we have freedom of speech, period. It says nothing about there being no consequences for speech - consequences such as people (including public officials!) publicly criticizing you or declining to give you money. It’s actually pretty amusing to see people who simply choose not to spend their money at CFA and explaining why called “jack-booted homo-fascists.” Please grow up.
Also still waiting for an answer why conservatives feel it okay for the government to step in and make personal choices for me on abortion but they can’t make choices on gay marriage for you. Stop for a moment and really think about it. Stop hiding behind the Bible or whatever some preacher taught you and think….what was Jesus teaching? Was He teaching you to judge others on such little information and crazy bias? Did He teach you to think of yourself first and to hell with anyone else—-your way or the highway? What Bible are you reading???
I just don’t want to give my money in an indirect way to anti gay hate groups; - Fedupdude
Remind yourself of that quote when you fill up your gas tank with gasoline that has been refined from oil that came from Iran or Saudi Arabia or the UAE who kills homosexuals.
What are you in such a tizzy about, LC? Do you think it’s somehow unique to celebrate the First Amendment? These are the prime freedoms that differentiate America from the rest of the world, after all. It’s a good thing we all have reverence for those freedoms in common.
Having said that, I hope you will explain why you feel that this is a freedom of speech issue in the first place. In what way do you feel that the freedom of speech of anyone associated with CFA has been abridged?
Was Dan Cathy prevented from expressing his opinions, or has anyone suggested that he should be? Of course not. Has anyone with the actual power to do so threatened to deny CFA permits, or to eject them from any jurisdiction, or sanction them in any way? No. As long as they comply with federal, state and local ordinances, they have perfect freedom to run their business and say anything they like about anything.
What you so angrily object to appears to be nothing more than people exercising their right to not patronize a business that does things with which we disagree. Again, that is all that has happened here. Are you suggesting that people don’t have the right to not patronize CFA, or to share information with others about the causes to which they donate?
It’s actually pretty amusing to see people who simply choose not to spend their money at CFA called “jack-booted homo-fascists.” You may want to review the First Amendment you claim to celebrate. It says that we have freedom of speech, period. It says nothing about guaranteeing that there will be no consequences for that speech, consequences such as people publicly disagreeing with you or declining to give you money.
workhardgetahead -
Implying that all the Chick-fil-A patrons are Republican/conservative/1%-ers who should be applauded for buying a chicken sandwich without rioting? Where do you people come up with this stuff?
LC - you didn’t answer fedupdude’s question, which I thought was a good one.
“Loudoun County - If you think so then why all the venom for those against CFA? They are just expressing free speech.”
Why is it ok for you to express your free speech and not the “homo-facists”?
@oranges
Since the LTM won’t allow comments with links in them, Google “Anti-tax in Loudoun, Anti-Gay Everywhere”, it is an article the Washington Post did several years back. Read his greatest hits.
Also, he used a copyrighted image of a same-sex couple to denigrate them and use to stir up money and support from fellow homophobes in Colorado. Come on, tell me with a straight face that is not hurtful. And illegal.
Lets also not forget the “Rainbow Door” image, which conjured up gay violence fantasies in the mind’s of every homophobe who saw it.
So yes, I can prove he has hurt and has denigrated his fellow citizens.
Yo Marshall prove that Delagaudio has hurt his fellow citizens. What, what you can’t. Just more blather from you without any basis in fact.
@Loudoun County:
You’re too funny! I guess then the polls showing support for gay rights increasing is America’s response to being tired of Christian-fascists trying to jackboot their agenda onto the good people of America. And their agenda includes thought police, the criminalization of non-Christian values, hatred, and violations to our right to liberty, choice, and privacy.
Woo-hoo the entire Constitution!
Chick Fil A is going no where. Me taking my business elsewhere will not affect them. I just don’t want to give my money in an indirect way to anti gay hate groups; CFA gives money to those groups so they get no money from me.
all of you democrat/liberal/occupy wall streeter should take note on how you have a peaceful gathering. The was no defecating on police cars, no fecal bombs thrown, no broken windows, no injuries to either police or civilian, I don’t think there was even a police presence. The only incident I heard of was there was a bomb threat called into a New Jersey store done likely by a gay liberal democrat. Take notice you libs, the boogey men and women conservatives are coming to get you in November.
“I don’t think that Mike Huckabee really did the chain any favors by politicizing this. While Chick-Fil-A surely had a big boost in sales yesterday, it’s not sustainable.”
There aren’t enough chickens in the universe to sustain yesterday’s sales.
I think you are completely wrong. I think yesterday normal America said they’ve had enough of the jack-booted homo-fascists and their my-way-or-the-highway thought police hellbent on terrorizing any person who thinks differently.
Woo-hoo 1st Amendment.
“Being pro-marriage or anti-gay or whatever you call it is not hate.”
And the Southern Poverty Law Center agrees with you, however inconveniently. The criteria for designation as an anti-gay hate group, easily searchable on their website, is:
“ased on their propagation of known falsehoods — claims about LGBT people that have been thoroughly discredited by scientific authorities — and repeated, groundless name-calling. Viewing homosexuality as unbiblical does not qualify organizations for listing as hate groups.”
@Loudoun County:
The most likely reason behind the title is Delgaudio is not just pro-traditional marriage, he IS anti-gay and the definition of a bigot. Ever read his “greatest hits” list? Gay men are pedophiles, the rape of boys, the promotion of bullying of gays, etc.
On a related note, has anyone done research to see if Chick-fil-A has given Eugene’s group, Public Advocate any money? If so, that would be a bombshell.
Like I said, LC, it has little to do with Cathy’s remarks. All that the recent interview did was to cause the information to go viral. Many people have known about these donations for years and don’t patronize Chick-Fil-A as a matter of individual conscience. Now a lot more people know. I’m not aware of any actual formal calls for a “boycott,” only people who choose not to patronize them and have shared our reasons with others. That’s all this ever was.
I don’t think that Mike Huckabee really did the chain any favors by politicizing this. While Chick-Fil-A surely had a big boost in sales yesterday, it’s not sustainable. Now, with all the media attention, they will be forever associated with Huckabee’s stunt and with anti-gay politics, which can’t possibly bode well for their future. You must realize that huge majorities of Americans support, for example, the repeal of DADT and either marriage equality or civil unions for same sex couples - and yet Chick-Fil-A donates huge sums of money to organizations that *actually want to make being gay illegal* (“Guilty as charged,” responded Cathy). Do you realize how profoundly out of touch that is?
Loudoun County - Are you saying bigotry against gays and morbid obesity are not larger problems in the south than the rest of the nation? There are plenty of stats that prove otherwise.
Fedupdude, your comment, “A southern company that makes people fat ans supports a hate group that lobbies against civil rights? I am shocked I tell you.” while not racist is certainly biggotted.
To the Editors: could you show more bias?
“Delgaudio backs Chick-fil-A on anti-gay issues”
How about “Delgaugio Supports Chick-fil-A COO’s Traditional Marriage Stance”
And how many times are you going to put in print:
“Delgaudio’s nonprofit group Public Advocate of the United States has been designated by the Southern Poverty Law Center as an anti-gay hate group.”
There are actual hate groups with guns and explosives that actively plot harm and malice. Being pro-marriage or anti-gay or whatever you call it is not hate. Sentient beings who write for a living should know better.
Sounds like the LTM writers and editors are at odds with the owners and are having a passive-aggressive fit over Delgaudio.
Loudoun County - If you think so then why all the venom for those against CFA? They are just expressing free speech.
FedUpDude, you are mis-reading my comments. Freedom of speech is a wonderful thing.
A southern company that makes people fat ans supports a hate group that lobbies against civil rights? I am shocked I tell you.
Chick-Fil-A has the best nuggets and their Polynesian Sauce is amazing. I’ll be funding them for a long time to come.
Look at all you silly conservatives trying to translate Chick-fil-A into a election thing. Sorry to fool you, but if you look at national polls, those in favor of same-sex marriage are in the majority and it is increasing every year. You are on the wrong side of the Constitution and history.
All this proves is that far-right wing evangelicals can be mobilized to eat fattening, greasy, tasteless fried chicken. Sounds like you got yourself a serious victory…. NOT!
Loudoun County - You think free speech is a bad thing? That seems un-American to me.
Boycotting is free speech. Its is also free market. No one is forcing you to do anything either way.
Omega-Uhren: Omega Seamaster
Just waited an hour for the best chicken sandwich ever. Mmmmmm.
If there were that many people on a Wednesday night at this hour at a somewhat out-of-the-way Chick-fil-A, it looks likes resounding support for both Chick-fil-A and the freedom of speech will be heard across the land.
Chick-fil-A restaurants are jam-packed across the country. Now consider the implications of this mobilization. Consider November and how this makes the Democrats nervous.
Sorry to burst everyone’s bubble and digress a bit, but do you even know what’s in their Chicken Sandwich ? I do (it’s right on their website): MSG - it’s in there twice ! (3rd and 15th ingredient). MSG, a flavor enhancer, is said to be safe. However, a test back in 1957 injected mice with MSG and their retinas were damaged. For me personally, when I eat it, I get feeling really bad within the hour.” Google the word “excitotoxin”. MSG is an excitotoxin, which can make your neurons do wacky stuff. Some believe it damages them. Other chemicals in that sandwich: Tertiary Butylhydroquinone, or TBHQ for short (again listed twice !). It is a preservative and is also used in biodiesel fuel. Next, we have dimethelpolysiloxane, or PDMS. It is a silicon polymer that is also used in shampoo and oils. And then there’s good ole’ Sodium Benzoate. You know the stuff. It’s been around forever. But be careful: when you mix sodium benzoate with citric acid or ascorbic acid (think orange juice or vitamin C), you get Benzene - a potential carcinogen. Next, Polysorbate-80. While not a carcinogen, it’s got a chemical-sounding name. I’ll pass. Finally, what would an All-American fast food meal be without some food coloring? Add Yellow #5 and Blue #1 to the mix. I suppose that makes orange, right? I dunno, maybe it’s just me. But I like chicken to be natural, both in taste and color. The decision is yours. I’m sure the other FF chains are equally bogged-down with chemicals. Maybe if they stir up some controversy, I’ll look at their menus. Now, back to your bickering.
“Many may be unaware that the chain puts its money where its mouth is. Chick-fil-a is one of the only large companies in the US that is still closed on Sunday to honor the commandment. A $4 billion company that forgoes profit by being closed 1/7 of a week is to be admired for possessing values and sticking with them regardless of the cost.
So there’s more to appreciate about Chick-fil-a than the personal stand of the CEO, maintained under the most vile and despicable criticisms.”
http://www.americanthinker(dot)com/blog/2012/08/happy_chick-fil-a_appreciation_day.html#ixzz22L1jEQqB
Loudoun County-
I didn’t say they didn’t have stock, I said they weren’t “publicly traded, negating people being able to run out and buy stock.” Just because stock likely exists on some level, its not accessible to the vast majority of people.
And while the company may be its own legal entity, the corporation’s values, culture, and voice are set by the people running and owning it, especially in a closely held firm. In this case, that’s going to be the Cathys.
Really, Mr. Weintraub? “...actively work with lawmakers in Uganda in crafting a current bill that would impose the death penalty for being gay.”
If it is so easy to find, please enlighten us with the logical link between what Mr. Cathy said and his desire to murder gay Ugandans.
The Bible also says we should stone adulterers. Will there be a good public stoning at Chick-fil-a along with the anti-Gay festivities?
Actually, the criticism and boycotts of Chick-Fil-A have little to do with the recent remarks by Dan Cathy, except as they reference the donations the corporation makes to organizations that 1) advocate for the criminalization of private consensual sexual conduct in the U.S,; and 2) actively work with lawmakers in Uganda in crafting a current bill that would impose the death penalty for being gay. These are obviously both gross human rights violations, and the former violates the U.S. Constitution.
I know it’s easier and less embarrassing to just repeat canards about “marriage” and “religious freedom,” though.
And I know it’s difficult these days, but the reporter should have done more thorough research and not just relied on press releases. The information is readily available.
Mr. Delgaudio’s positions are extreme and most often do not represent the majority of conservative & Christian citizens of this county. Leave the mayors of the cities of Chicago & Boston to their people. We have more than enough on our plate trying to decide what Christmas decorations are allowed at the Government Facility in Leesburg.
I’ve seen this show called Sisters Wives on TLC Channel (or Bravo, one of those). One guy, and like 4 wives. In Utah, now Nevada. That’s America. And they have a TV show about it. How’s that fit into the Creator’s ‘one man one woman’ rule? It’s heterosexuality - not homosexuality.
So, Eugene, if one wife for a man is “good” and proper - aren’t 4 then, like, 4 times as good? When you gettin’ another wife, buckaroo?? Think how many kids you could have w/ multiple wives pregnant in rotation!!
Fedupdude, the debate is whether or not homo-fascists are allowed to coerce people by intimidating them through a variety of means (economic being one of them) and curtail their civil rights.
If the pro-gay crowd wants to make banners and stand by the roadside saying why being gay is so beautiful and wonderful, then go for it.
But beating down every single person who disagrees with their narrow view of humanity is not just unjust, it is grossly unamerican.
Conservatives love to through out labels for groups they don’t like - elites, liberals, Muslims, immigrants, gays, etc.
Its funny because to me they are all one label - American.
MSwierczek, just because it is private, doesn’t mean they don’t have and sell stock. They may well be (I don’t know for sure) a privately traded corporation. It is not likely a $4B sole proprietorship.
And you are wrong. The family is not the business. That is a fundamental aspect of a corporation: it is its own entity. Now, it is probable that the family members own the private stock and control the business, but they are most certainly not one in the same.
The law recognizes that fact and it is loooong overdue for gay zealots to respect each American’s fundamental rights to free speech.
Loudoun County - Yeah no gay men are ever beaten in hate attacks (wink wink nudge nudge) and this debate is not about them getting equal access to rights like straight partners. It is some super evil plot to make people “turn gay” right?
The bible is also condones slavery, so I guess chick-fil-a does too. That’s messed up chick-fil-a, MESSED UP!
This guy would carry a lot more credibility if he:
1) could spell Chick-fil-A, or
2) knew that it was a family-owned business, and not publicly traded, negating people being able to run out and buy stock to “really upset those homosexual lobbies”
Who would follow this guy when he makes two glaring mistakes in a 30 second video?
Also, people’s comments here would be better if you also realized it was a family-owned business. Dan Cathy is COO and President. Not CEO. The CEO and founder is his father. The family is the business. The family’s opinions are those of business.
Marshall - You forgot you have to marry a woman you rape or your brothers wife if he dies without male children.
Mosborn,
The entire homo-fascist movement is one big 2-year old tirade. This one Chik-fil-A non-incident beside, you can’t open up a webpage without some BS article about some horrible anti-gay injustice.
This isn’t 1960s Alabama with people getting pulled out of their houses and hanged while police ignore it. Civil rights aren’t being violated. Chick-fil-a doesn’t discriminate.
This is about homo-fascists attempting to silence any form of dissent that comes from anyone at anytime from anywhere.
@ Fred:
What is traditional marriage as defined by the creator. I don’t remember seeing anything directly authored by him saying 1 man, 1 woman.
If your referring to the Bible, well then I hate to break it to you but 1 man, 1 woman doesn’t hold. Look into the Bible, polygamy was rampant, so were concubines, and it was taken for a fact that you married your sister-in-law if your brother died.
The one man, one woman concept of marriage is much more a legal and cultural one. And you know what, American is ready to accept a new change - where two consenting adults of the same sex can marry too.
Loudoun County -
So NOT eating at Chik-fil-a because they are actively anti-gay marriage rights is throwing a temper tantrum. But specifically eating there because they are actively anti-gay marriage is what? Freedom of Speech?
Seems to fit the conservative mold. Don’t tread on me (*unless I’m gay and want to get married, or have an unwanted pregnancy, or other things that you should tread on me about).
Fred - Chick Fil A has been giving millions to the anti gay marriage lobby for years now. The info is easy to find on Google. Some people have known this for years.
It’s a belief in pro-traditional marriage (opinion), not anti-gay, there is a difference. It’s also about free speech, freedom of expression and freedom to worship as you see fit…whats wrong with that? No wonder why all chik-fil-A’s are jammed packed coast to coast, waited in huuuuuuuge line in reston today…
Calling Chick-fil-a anti-gay because their CEO supports God’s design for marriage is journalistic malpractice. Does Chick-fil-a have signs at their door that says no gays allowed? Do they disciminate in their hiring? Of course not. Virginia voters passed a Constitutional amendment codifying marriage as between one man and one woman; was that anti-gay? Of course not; it’s support for traditional values as designed by our Creator.
Loudoun County
How is not boycotting Chick-Fil-A free speech? You cannot force people to support them or buy there it is a free market and I can take my money else where if I want.
Supporters can go there freely; who is stopping them?
However I will just point out how hypocritical it is that the religious right wing yells about freedom of choice and says things like don’t want a gun don’t buy one but then wants to ban abortion and gay marriage on religious objections in a nation that was set up on the principle of not letting religion dictate law.
Last I heard, Chik-Fil-A doesn’t discriminate against anyone in their hiring practices and to whom they serve. This is a non-issue. Why are the mayors of major cities like Chicago saying they don’t fit their values? This is just an attempt to shut up anyone they don’t agree with. Orwellian, indeed!
Maybe their upset because “they did build it”, LOL!
Is anyone else sick of the homo-fascists?
We live in America. We have things like free speech and freedom of religion.
If you’d like to impose your goose-stepping, hyper-liberal myopia unto the entirety of a population, you’re in the wrong country.
Land of the free, home of the brave.
Please take your temper tantrums back to daycare where they belong and your sexuality back into the bedroom where it belongs.
“is known for being a Christian store that’s closed on Sundays and having a stance against gay marriage”
Is that correct?
I don’t think the restaraunt has a stance…but its CEO does have a personal conviction.
And, I wouldn’t say it is known as a Christian store. It’s known for really good chicken sandwiches, sweet tea, peach milkshakes, and chiken-luvin cows.
Regardless of what you may believe about same-sex marriage, Eugene Delgaudio is morally bankrupt and a charlatan taking money from paranoid homophobes, spreading falsehoods, and hurting his fellow citizens.
In full disclosure, I am proud to say that my family has donated the cost of a Chick-fil-A dinner for each of us to GLADD.
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