One of the most divisive social issues in the United States today is same-sex marriage. A recent USA Today/Gallup Poll found that 50 percent of Americans approve gay marriage and 48 percent oppose it. On both sides of this issue are impassioned people and organizations that hold strong convictions based on notions of equality, fairness, and religious beliefs.
The national discussion of same-sex marriage was recently stoked when Dan Cathy, the president of Chick-fil-A, told the Baptist Press that his company was Ӏguilty as chargedԀ in its opposition to same-sex marriage. Cathy later elaborated on his comment on a radio talk show stating ӀI think we are inviting GodҀs judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at Him and say, рWe know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.Ҕ
CathyҀs polarizing comments immediately energized the various factions for and against same-sex marriage. The Jim Henson Company immediately pulled its Muppet toys from Chic-fil-A kidsҀ meals. The mayors of Boston, Chicago, and San Francisco made public statements condemning Chick-fil-A for its position on gay marriage. Pro-gay organizations launched boycotts and demonstration denouncing Chick-fil-AҀs ӀprejudiceԀ and ӀhatredԀ of homosexuals. The Gays & Lesbians Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) planned a ӀNational Same-Sex Kiss DayԀ to be held at Chick-fil-A restaurants across the country.
Not to be outdone, public figures and organizations opposing same-sex marriage rallied in support of Chick-fil-A. Reverend Billy Graham publicly commended Chick-fil-A for Ӏnever compromising their valuesԀ and expressed appreciation for CathyҀs Ӏpublic support for GodҀs definition of marriage.Ԁ Former Arkansas governor Mike Huckabee organized a ӀChick-fil-A Appreciation DayԀ which according to organizers drew hundreds of thousands of supporters. According to the company the event was a Ӏrecord-setting dayԀ with some stores running out of chicken.
Should large corporations express opinions on controversial sociopolitical issues? A number of big name corporations, such as Target, Starbucks, and General Mills have publicly expressed pro-gay viewpoints. However, Amicus Reed, a marketing professor at the University of Pennsylvania, told NPR that ӀMost brands are keeping their heads downԀ choosing not to weigh in on controversial issues. According to Reed, a more neutral strategy probably makes good business sense. This may explain Chick-fil-AҀs recent statement that Ӏgoing forwardԀ the company plans to Ӏleave the policy debate overs same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.Ԁ
Civility does not require one to be neutral on issues such as same-sex marriage; however, it does require respect for otherҀs views and beliefs. Ultimately, whether a corporation supports or opposes same-sex marriage is a decision made by the corporationҀs leadership. As consumers, we can ultimately choose whether we want to patronize a corporation based on its values, beliefs, and political positions. Perhaps this is the most civil solution to such a divisive issue.
Kent M. Weeks
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