Hundreds turn out at Chick-fil-A to support restaurant exec’s view on family values

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Customers wait outside of Chick-fil-A in Cullman Wednesday in support of the restaurant’s recent stance against gay marriage. ASHLEY GRAVES

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August 1, 2012

Hundreds turn out at Chick-fil-A to support restaurant exec’s view on family values

By Ashley Graves The Cullman Times The Cullman Times Wed Aug 01, 2012, 07:37 PM CDT

CULLMAN — David Stoneburner had to wait longer than normal to place his order at Chick-fil-A Wednesday, but the Hanceville resident didn't mind.

And he wasn't the only one, as several hundred people lined up throughout the day to get their chicken fix while supporting the restaurant's recent stance against gay marriage as part of Chic-fil-A Appreciation Day.

"Great Christians spoke up in one clear voice," Stoneburner said of the turnout while waiting to get his food.

He said he and his wife waited for roughly 45 minutes before they were able to be served.

"We were expecting this," he said. "We had some friends who came here for breakfast this morning and said it had started then."

Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy told the Baptist Press last month that the Atlanta-based company was "guilty as charged" for backing "the biblical definition of a family."

At lunch, the building was standing room only, and people were lined up out two doors of the business attempting to get inside. Officers with the Cullman Police Department were on scene to direct traffic, as well a deputy from the Cullman County Sheriff's Office, as cars were lined up from two directions attempting to get into the drive-through and parking lot. Several patrons even opted to park next door at Arby's and Verizon Wireless and walk over.

"We've set back too long and let the bad take over," Cullman resident Rebecca Branch said. "The important thing is Christian people have responded to the boycott that's against God's word. Everybody in this county knows the difference between right and wrong and are willing to stand up when there is an opportunity."

According to Kamron Kimbrough, a team member with the local store, by 2 p.m., the restaurant had done more sales than it did 10 years ago when they first opened in Cullman. He said a truck order came during the late afternoon hours with hopes that it would last them through the rest of the business day, as many stores across north Alabama had already ran out of food. He added extra employees were also on hand Wednesday to help with the overflow of customers.

Several supporters inside and outside the building said they planed to dine for lunch and again for dinner in support of the restaurant.

"This is about Adam and Eve, not Adam and Steve," one man in the line outside said.

Vinemont resident Debbie Lang said she was out in support of the First Amendment to the United States Constitution.

"The south is conservative and everyone stands for a constitutional right in which we need to get back to," she said. "There is only one marriage, and that's between one man and one woman."

Several gay rights organizations have objected to Cathy's remarks and have been rallying support against the restaurant chain, declaring Friday as National Same Sex Kiss Day.

* Ashley Graves can be reached by phone at 734-2131, ext. 225, or by email at agraves@cullmantimes.com

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Hundreds turn out at Chick-fil-A to support restaurant exec’s view on family values

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