The grand opening of Chick-fil-A’s first international location in Toronto was met by a grand protest Friday by LGBTQ activists, who argued that the chicken-centric chain owner’s historically antigay policies will clash with the culture of Canada’s largest city.
Protestors caused a commotion as soon as the restaurant opened its doors at 10:30 a.m., chanting “shame” and “cluck you,” CBC News reports.
“Hey hey, ho ho, Homophobia’s got to go,” activists can be heard shouting in video shared to Twitter by BlogTo.
Celebrity drag queen RuPaul’s likeness was used by protesters picketing for the cause.
“We won’t allow hateful rhetoric to be here,” Justin Khan of local LGBTQ organization The 519 told CBC. “The fact that Chick-fil-A is opening on the streets of Toronto is something that is quite alarming.”
Founded in 1967, the biblical values of Chick-fil-A’s management strategy have long stirred controversy. Company chairman and CEO Dan Cathy has voiced his opposition to same-sex marriage, but Chick-fil-A says it doesn’t have a political or social agenda. The company says that in 2017, it donated $1.6 million to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, a group that is overtly against gay marriage, for sports camps for inner-city youth. It also donated $150,000 to the Salvation Army, which has also been accused of discrimination.
That same year, the chain asked its franchisees to not make public statements on political issues.
Though most activists took issue with the chain’s reported anti-LGBTQ-stance at the Friday event, others called out the chain’s alleged treatment of animals. Some staged a “die-in” to honor chickens slaughtered by the business, as per BlogTo.
Despite the commotion, franchise owner Wilson Yang remains hopeful about Chick-fil-A’s future in the city.
“We respect people’s right to share their opinions and want all Torontonians to know they are welcome at Chick-fil-A Yonge & Bloor,” he said in a statement shared with CBC. “Our focus is on offering a welcoming and respectful environment for our guests and team members, and we encourage people to give us a try.”
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