Travelers passing through the San Antonio International Airport will have to get their fast food chicken elsewhere. According to a report from local station KTSA, Chick-fil-A has been blocked from opening a concession stand in Terminal A, and the reason is a good one.
On March 21st, the city council okayed a seven-year contract with Paradies Lagardère, which included bringing new eateries to Terminal A. Along with Smoke Shack, Local Coffee, Sip, The Luxury, and Boss Bagels and Coffee, Chick-fil-A was also part of the plan.
However, the council voted 6 to 4 to accept the Paradies contract only if Chick-fil-A was removed from the list.
District 1 City Councilman Roberto Treviño released a statement that same day in which he explains why he and his fellow council members decided to nix the fast food chicken spot.
“With this decision, the City Council reaffirmed the work our city has done to become a champion of equality and inclusion,” Treviño said. “San Antonio is a city full of compassion, and we do not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior.”
“Everyone has a place here, and everyone should feel welcome when they walk through our airport. I look forward to the announcement of a suitable replacement by Paradies.”
Chick-fil-A banned from opening at San Antonio airport due to 'legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior' https://t.co/HZrsj9RW0t
— philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) March 23, 2019
The city council’s decision comes after a March 2oth ThinkProgress report uncovered recent 2017 Chick-fil-A donations to anti-LGBTQ organizations that totaled $1.8 million dollars.
These donations were made despite Chick-fil-A stating in 2012 that they would…
“leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.”
San Antonio removes Chick-fil-A from airport concessions deal over company’s anti-LGBTQ giving https://t.co/Iz9nLjR8Z6 pic.twitter.com/HqeBces6cT
— ThinkProgress (@thinkprogress) March 22, 2019
Although a country-wide boycott against Chick-fil-A on behalf of the LGBTQ community has been in action since 2012, San Antonio’s decision to block the franchise is one of the first major punishing actions against the company.
And people are here for it.
With a long history of unfair treatment of LGBTQ employees, it’s about time Chick-fil-A was dealt with.
Like, actually dealt with.
LETS GOOOO SAN ANTONIOOOOOO YEEEEEEE HAWWWW
— The Realm’s Delight (@DanaTargaryen) March 24, 2019
It’s one thing to boycott. It’s another thing to ban the restaurant from your city airport.
“Power moves only, SA.” Power moves only.
San Antonio Airport banned Chick-Fil-A because of it's "anti-LGBTQ behavior"
— ChristianMingle™️ Thotpocket (@Wolf0Walmart) March 22, 2019
Power moves only, SA.
We’re booking our flight. And we’ll be applauding during the entire trip.
Time to make a trip to San Antonio and spend my tourist dollars
— J Lane (@JLane1908) March 24, 2019
Of course, San Antonio’s decision is also drawing major criticism from those who believe Chick-fil-A is being unfairly banned for their “religious beliefs.”
Senator Ted Cruz is one such critic.
The details of this story are even worse. San Antonio City Council voted to ban @ChickfilA from the airport bc the company gave to...the Fellowship of Christian Athletes & the Salvation Army?!? That’s ridiculous. And not Texas. #LeftistIntolerance https://t.co/ApTnlpS2E0
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) March 23, 2019
However, the issue is not that Chick-fil-A donated to religious groups. The issue is that these religious groups teach and promote discrimination against the LGBTQ community.
"Everyone has a place here, and everyone should feel welcome," says San Antonio city council member, explaining why Chick-Fil-A is being banned from the airport.
— (Stephanie) Slade (@sladesr) March 25, 2019
The jokes, they write themselves.
For example, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which Chick-fil-A donated $1,653,416 in 2017, restricts its employees from participating in “homosexual acts.”
And the Paul Anderson Youth Home, which received $6,000 in Chick-fil-A donations, teaches troubled youths that homosexuality is a sin and same-sex marriage is “rage against Jesus Christ and His values,” as stated in the ThinkProgress report.
The citizens of beautiful San Antonio deserve more delicious sandwiches, and fewer rabid attacks against companies because of their charitable giving to the community. Come on. —> https://t.co/Nvh0GN30EO
— Senator Ted Cruz (@SenTedCruz) March 22, 2019
So, no Ted. We won’t “come on.” Chick-fil-A is not being “rabidly attacked” because of their “charitable giving to the community.”
They’re being banned because they promote the spread of hateful, noninclusive messages, and continue to refuse protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity for their LGBTQ employees via the company’s employment non-discrimination policy.
Some argue that San Antonio’s decision is like fighting fire with fire. And to a certain degree, yes, this is true.
But many others view it as a simple decision based on ethics.
There are so many other fast food companies out there that are not outwardly biased against a specific group of people.
San Antonio. Good on you. @ChickfilA meat is marinated in hate https://t.co/nCLTFAoPFY @tedcruz eat a Dick
— Willam (@willam) March 22, 2019
And TBH, Chick-fil-A absolutely brought this on themselves.
CEO Dan Cathy, who is incredibly open about his religious and societal beliefs, perhaps should have taken this advice a long time ago:
Just goes to show that if you own a business, it is obviously not in your best interest to discuss your views on anything. Not worth the risk alienating potential customers.
— John Bissell (@MNTwinsFan47) March 22, 2019
At the end of the day, those who support Chick-fil-A will continue to eat their chicken. And even some who don’t support Chick-fil-A will also continue to eat their chicken. It’s good stuff.
But the fact that San Antonio is taking a stand against a fast food giant that is outspokenly against the LGBTQ community is huge.
We support San Antonio and hope that other cities across America will consider morals and ethics before bringing Chick-fil-A to their neck of the woods.
