Chick-fil-A Seeks Redwood City Location, Draws Objections for Anti-Gay Agenda

Chick-fil-A, a fast food chicken chain known for its anti-gay politics and problematically delicious chicken, seeks a new location in the Bay Area — but at least one local politician is voicing objections. A new location of the business could replace a McDonalds in Redwood City at 536 Whipple Ave, the San Mateo Daily Journal reports, though San Mateo County supervisor David Canepa is encouraging a protest of the proposed location.

In 2012, the CEO of Georgia-based Chick-fil-A publicly criticized gay marriage, and this year, a ThinkProgress report revealed that his company has consistently donated to charitable groups that discriminate against LGBTQ people. That revelation has lead some would-be locations to banish the chain: Chick-fil-A has lost airport deals in San Antonio and Buffalo after the report.

But it was too late for a new San Jose airport location of the franchise, which opened recently. Backlash against it was so strong that San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo apologized for allowing the business to enter San Jose, and protestors vowed to make it “the gayest in America” with rainbow flags positioned in front of the business.

San Mateo supervisor Canepa says he wants to see demonstrations and protests against the new location. “My goal ultimately is that they withdraw their permit and not do business in San Mateo County,” he told the Daily Journal.

Chick-fil-A has not directly addressed questions about the Redwood City expansion.“We do not have a political or social agenda,” a representative for the brand said in a recent statement, responding to the San Jose protest. “We embrace all people, regardless of religion, race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.”

• Redwood City Chick-fil-A plans ruffle feathers [San Mateo Daily Journal]