It came as a shock to many when Mayor Michael Bloomberg announced he would not follow in the footsteps of Boston, Chicago and San Francisco mayors in banning Chick-fil-A from New York City.
Having always been at the forefront of the marriage equality movement, Bloomberg indicated Friday that he would oppose any effort to block Chick-fil-A from expanding in the Big Apple because of the fast food chain owner’s personal stance against same-sex marriage.
“They’re all friends but I disagree with them really strongly on this one,” said the mayor. “You can’t have a test for what the owners’ personal views are before you decide to give a permit to do something in the city. You really don’t want to ask political beliefs or religious beliefs before you issue a permit, that’s just not government’s job.”
“Freedom of speech—everybody’s in favor of it as long as it’s what they want to hear. Well the only way that you have your freedom of speech is if you give other people freedom of speech. … This is just a bad idea and it’s not going to happen in New York City.”
But here’s the thing with the chicken chain’s CEO Dan Cathy—he crossed the line when his company donated thousands of dollars to anti-gay groups. He has a right to personally believe and support whatever he chooses, it’s America, after all. It’s what makes this country tick. But when your personal beliefs enter your public corporation, that’s when we, as customers, are involved. We have a say in where our money goes, and if that money goes toward anti-equality organizations, there could (and should) be consequences.
So, sorry, Bloomie—I’m going to have to disagree with you really strongly on this one.
Photo: newyorkdailynews.com
