Petition aims to block Chick-fil-A at College of Charleston

Image by Flickr user "Adam Kuban

The national same-sex chicken debate is growing in Charleston, too.

There's been much national discussion following comments by Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy that the restaurant chain was "supportive of the biblical definition of the family unit" and that the company was supportive of traditional marriage programs. 

Now College of Charleston students are joining with other students, like those at the University of Kansas and University of Missouri-Kansas City, to block the chain's growth on school property.

Charleston student Sara McNamara has spearheaded a local petition to block, "the opening of a Homophobic Chick-fil-A on campus", namely the new spot under construction at Berry Residence Hall.

(There is already on Chick-fil-A on campus at the Stern Center.)

The complaint petition accuses the chain of financially supporting groups that instill "self-hate and negativity" on those in the gay community, and therefore such an organization should not be supported by the college.

"As an alumni, I hope the administration of C of C will rethink their plans to open this second Chick-fil-A on campus", wrote Susan Reed. "There is no reason to support a business that spreads the word of hate and intolerance."

That online petition currently has 365 signatures and is aiming for a total of 500.

In tandem a Facebook group has emerged, "College of Charleston Students & Friends Against Homophobic Chick-fil-A", with 738 members.

The college is awaiting the petition's submission before offering its position on the matter.

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