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Boycott Chick-fil-A, says New York mayor Bill de Blasio

Chiqui Guyjoco May 09, 2016 03:51 AM EST

NYC Mayor Bill de Blasio at New York City Hall January 21, 2016. | Reuters/Hillary Swift

Chick-fil-A, the Atlanta-based fast food chain run by devout Christians and reputedly the only major fast food chain that closes on Sundays drawing from its Christian values, has announced that they're opening another branch at Queens Center Mall this fall after a series of branches were put up in Manhattan. The announcement prompted New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio and Queens Councilman Danny Dromm to urge New Yorkers to boycott the soon-to-open chicken restaurant.

In an unrelated press conference last Tuesday, de Blasio said Chick-fil-A has its legal right to do business in Queens, New York but reiterated his disdain toward the fast-food chain's CEO and President Dan Cathy's stance on traditional marriage in 2012.

"What the ownership of Chick-fil-A has said is wrong," de Blasio was quoted. "I'm certainly not going to patronize them and I wouldn't urge any other New Yorker to patronize them."

Dromm, who's also the founder of Queens Lesbian and Gay Pride Committee and who organized the first Queens Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Pride Parade and Festival is another one with a strong aversion to Chick-fil-A, accusing the fast-food chain of being anti-LGBT.

"This group imparts a strong anti-LGBT message by forcing their employees and volunteers to adhere to a policy that prohibits same-sex love," Dromm said in a statement. "It is outrageous that Chick-fil-A is quietly spreading its message of hate by funding these types of organizations."

Dromm also noted that Chick-fil-A continues to give 25% of their charitable contributions to anti-LGBT organizations including over $1 million to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. He has asked the management of the Queens Center Mall to reconsider giving Chick-fil-A a lease on their property and urges those who perceive themselves as believers in equality to boycott those "purveyors of hate."

Chick-fil-A responded by releasing a simple statement saying that the restaurant's culture and service tradition is geared on the values of honor, dignity, and respect no matter the person's beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation, or gender.

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