Mike Huckabee Says 'More Power' to Gay Activists Planning Chick-fil-A 'Kiss-In'
In response to American fast food chain Chick-fil-A's CEO expressing his support of traditional marriage, gay and lesbian activists plan to hold a "kiss-in" at Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country on Friday, Aug. 3.
Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee, who strongly supports the Chick-fil-A corporation's Christian views and dubbed Aug. 1 as "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day," has said of activists organizing the kiss-in: "more power to them."
"Probably I won't be there for that," Huckabee told "Fox and Friends" Thursday when asked about the national kiss-in.
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He added, "But so what? That's America. As long as they're orderly, as long as they don't disrupt the flow of customers and traffic -- if they believe that will help their cause, to put people of the same sex kissing each other in a public place in front of families, if they believe that will encourage people to be more sympathetic, then, you know, more power to them.
"In America, I believe people have a right to do things that I might not agree with. What I don't want to do is shut down the voices of Christians because they don't like those voices."
Friday's initiative, called "National Same Sex Kiss Day at Chick Fil A," is being headed by a grassroots gay activist group led by Carly McGehee, and supported by the Gay And Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) organization.
"In honor of their support for love, equality, and the real definition of family, we're holding a NATIONAL Same Sex Kiss Day at Chick Fil A's around the country. So grab a friend (or 20) and head out to your nearest Chick Fil A! And don't forget to post photos/videos of it here! For all the world to see!" the event's Facebook page reads.
The event, which has nearly 12,000 confirmed guests, also started a Tumblr page and a Twitter account, @ntlsamesexkiss, but the Twitter account has temporarily been suspended.
Comments written on the event's Facebook page suggest that this is perhaps not the most tactful way to protest the restaurant's views on homosexuality.
Kyanah Murphy, who describes herself as an ally of the gay community, said that "deliberately pissing people off" by kissing in public is "not the way to go."
"People ARE entitled to believe whatever they want to believe in. Not everyone is going to agree with the beliefs of others either," Murphy added.
Others suggested simply boycotting the company by not buying its products.
"Here's the issue many will run into with this...what's the purpose? To rub it in the peoples' faces? Hurt them where it counts ...the wallet," wrote Rebecca Craig.
In opposition, GLAAD suggested all those opposing Chik-fil-A's Christian viewpoints donate money to organizations which support the legalization of same-sex marriage.
Still, many opponents of Chick-fil-A believe that protesting in a variety of ways will get the message out that they believe the corporation is wrong in its opposition to same-sex marriage.
The public controversy started when Dan Cathy, CEO of the Georgia-based food chain, came out in early July in support of traditional marriage.
"Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day" on Aug. 1 reportedly resulted in record sales for the fast food chain.
