Jim Henson Co., Chick-Fil-A and the gay marriage debate

When I go through the drive-through at a fast- food restaurant, the last thing on my mind is "Hmm, I wonder what this chain's stance is on gay marriage?" Nope, all I want to know is did they remember ketchup with my fries.

BY CARMEN RASMUSEN HERBERT/KTAR.COM CONTRIBUTOR

Jul 31, 2012, 9:37 AM Updated: 9:38 am

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When I go through the drive-through at a fast-food
restaurant, the last thing on my mind is, “Hmm, I
wonder what this chain’s stance is on gay marriage?
”

Nope. All I want to know is whether they remembered
ketchup with my fries.

So when I heard about Chick-Fil-A president Dan Cathy
coming out against gay marriage, I was a little surprised.

When asked about his previous statement about supporting
traditional family values, Cathy said that while not
popular, they intend to “stay the course.”

“We are very much supportive of the family —
the biblical definition of the family unit,” he told
the Baptist Press.

“We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but
thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share
our values and operate on biblical principles.”

His comments have caused quite a stir, even moving the Jim
Henson Co. to consider pulling its toys from upcoming kids
meals.

“The Jim Henson Co. has celebrated and embraced
diversity and inclusiveness for over 50 years and we have
notified Chick-Fil-A that we do not wish to partner with
them on any future endeavors,” read a statement on
the Jim Henson Facebook page.

I find it ironic that we frequently boast of our
country’s freedom of speech, freedom to express
ourselves and freedom to stand up for that which we
believe in, and then are so quick to condemn others for
doing the same.

Boston Mayor Thomas Menino even vowed to ban the chain
from opening a restaurant in the city.

This is going way too far.

On the one hand, I don’t think it was a very smart
business decision for Cathy to make those comments. On the
other, I think it’s just as dangerous for the Jim
Henson Co. to make a statement against Chick-Fil-A and
possibly alienate people who may be supportive of
Cathy’s viewpoint.

I have several friends and family members who support gay
marriage. We’ve had lively discussions about our
differing beliefs. But nothing they say would make me love
them less, or stop supporting them as people I care about.

I think it’s important to take a stand for
what you believe in. I strongly believe in supporting the
traditional family unit. But that’s not going to
make me stop watching “The Muppets.”

If we really are as accepting as we all claim to be,
wouldn’t we respect other opinions, even if they
differ from our own? If Cathy’s comments about gay
marriage make you want to stop eating at his restaurants,
fine.

But I’m certainly not going to let a restaurant’s
stance on the issue of gay marriage determine whether or
not I eat there.

Carmen Rasmusen Herbert
is a former “American Idol” contestant who writes about
entertainment and family for the Deseret News.