PFlag National Statement on Chick-Fil-A

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 3, 2012
Contact: Liz Owen | lowen@pflag.org> | (202) 467-8180 ext. 214

PFLAG NATIONAL RESPONDS TO CHICK-FIL-A CONTROVERSY
WASHINGTON, DC—PFLAG National (Parents, Families and Friends of Lesbians and Gays)—the nation's original family and ally organization, and the largest grassroots-based non-profit for families, friends, and allies of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people—issued the following statement today
regarding the recent Chick-fil-A controversy:

“While we find his beliefs and actions to be deeply damaging, PFLAG National supports Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy’s right to freely express those beliefs, religious or otherwise. And no matter how destructive the action, or how much we disagree with it, we support his right to funnel profits from his company into that company’s charitable arm (WinShape) which subsequently donates dollars—over five million of them and counting—to groups that openly work to deny basic rights to our lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) loved ones.

But let’s be clear: It is also the right of millions of LGBT people and their families, friends, and allies to use this same right to free speech to protest that position, and to educate the public as to just where the revenue from Mr. Cathy’s business is going.

Dan Cathy may say that his company has never discriminated against an LGBT person, but WinShape’smassive financial contributions to organizations that advocate for the passage of laws that would make such discrimination legal (or in some cases, keep discrimination legal) say otherwise. WinShape has funded numerous organizations that oppose efforts to protect LGBT youth from bullying in schools, support “exgay” groups, and bankroll efforts to allow international laws enabling the execution of LGBT people to stand. Educating people as to this reality isn’t about crushing freedom of religion— it is about exercising the right to free speech…just as Mr. Cathy has done.

For many years, anti-equality activists have used boycotts and protests against corporations to voice their opposition to LGBT-inclusive practices. Ironically, when Americans who support equality use this same strategy, it is called discrimination.

As this issue continues to be discussed, PFLAG members everywhere will continue to exercise their right to free speech and dialogue, sharing the truth about this situation: Chicken, speech, religion…these are simply a distraction from the real issue: a well-funded campaign against equality for all people.

On behalf of the hundreds of thousands of families, allies, and LGBT people represented by PFLAG, PFLAG National President David M. Horowitz welcomes the opportunity to open a dialogue with Mr. Cathy about these issues.”

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Founded in 1972 with the simple act of a mother publicly supporting her gay son, PFLAG is the original family and ally
organization. Made up of parents, families, friends, and straight allies uniting with LGBT people, PFLAG is committed to
advancing equality through its mission of support, education and advocacy. Now in its 40th anniversary year, PFLAG
has more than 368 chapters and 200,000 supporters crossing multiple generations of American families in major urban
centers, small cities, and rural areas in all 50 states. To learn more, please visit http://www.pflag.org.

GENDA and New York State Equality and Justice Day

Okay, as I posted in the Facebook group, I plan on attending the New York State Justice and Equality Day in Albany (May 8th) and encourage other members to do so as well. I would be interested in organizing carpools if there is enough interest. Just email us at otsego.pflag@gmail.com and I'll see what I can do.

Furthermore, I plan on printing out and bringing with me the GENDA petition so if you have not already signed it, please do so by Monday (May 7th). Also please share it with others as appropriate so there are as many signatures as possible.

Furthermore, there will be a Pflag Caucus at 11am, I do not know exactly where yet, but I will let people know when I do.

Thank you all!
-Jeremy Redlien

Change.org|Online Petition Template

Please note the changes for next meeting.

This is just to let you all know that after talking it over with Pathy
and Swamp Webster, we will be holding our next meeting at the UU
Socieity's Olympia Brown House on Ford Ave. following the regular LGCN
Potluck. The Olympia Brown house is between the YMCA and the UU
Society's Main Sanctuary, just park in the Ford/Dietz parking lot and
you'll see it. I hope making two changes to our meetings in as many
months does not confuse anyone

So to be clear:
The Next Pflag Meeting:
When: 7:30pm, Monday, January 16th.
Where: Olympia Brown House on Ford Ave.

For the LGCN Potluck (for those who are interested in attending both),
people usually arrive at 6pm. to set up and start eating around
6:30pm. Those who are able to bring a dish to pass are encouraged to
do so but it is not required. In order to ensure that there will
enough food, I will be picking up pizza beforehand, using Pflag funds
for those who wish to attend but are unable to bring a dish to pass.
Let me know ahead of time if this applies to you, so I have an idea of
how much pizza to pick up.

So...
The Next LGCN potluck
When: 6pm (arrival), 6:30pm (chow down), Monday, January 16th.
Where: Olympia Brown House on Ford Ave.

Attendance at one event is not required for the other. Any questions
or concerns, feel free to ask or to bring them up.

Edit: Please note, I previously had put January 18th which is not a Monday, I have since corrected the post to reflect the correct date.