At the “cornerstone of church and chicken,” the self-dubbed name of Northway Church’s shared parking lot with Chick-fil-A on Rt. 19 North, I find myself divided. By the time I’m in the drive-through, I’m being ripped apart in a fierce battle between my stomach and my conscience. With recent events, it’s clear to see that I’m not alone in my moral predicament — protests have erupted at universities across the U.S. and at Chick-fil-A’s first restaurant in England.

But what, exactly, are people protesting?

It’s common enough knowledge that, in the past, the Chick-fil-A brand and their owners, the Cathys,  donated to anti-LGBTQ foundations, like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Marriage and Family Foundation. However, their ardent opposition to equal marital rights extends far beyond donations and lobbying. In an interview on The Ken Coleman Show, the founder’s son and the current CEO of the chain, Dan Cathy, said, “We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage,” in response to claims of unwarranted homophobia and discrimination in their restaurants. After receiving backlash and threats of boycotts from equality groups, Cathy helped to organize a counter-protest with former minister and governor of Arkansas Mike Huckabee. Cathy personally attended the event, further inflaming the issue, an issue that still festers today. 

These skeletons in the back closet of your local Chick-fil-A are at the center of the recent protests. The demonstrators in England, who called for the immediate boycott of the store, were organized by Reading Pride, a local LGBT organization, who cited their purpose, saying, “the chain’s ethos and moral stance goes completely against our values and that of the U.K. as we are a progressive country that has legalized same-sex marriage for some years, and continues to strive toward equality.” 

The success of the boycott, with the chain announcing the closure of the first England location within two weeks of its opening, is mirrored by similar protests in the U.S. For example, Rider University in New Jersey, faced staunch opposition to its plans to add Chick-fil-A to the dining plan. The private university, with a class of fewer than 5,000 students, made national news as the dean ultimately stepped down due to the extreme backlash to her “Christian support” of the on-campus chain. 

So, clearly there’s opposition to the chain and clearly it is justifiable; but can there be a separation between food and philosophy?

I would answer yes, absolutely yes. In the past, I’ve heard arguments citing the #MeToo movement as a similarity to the Chick-fil-A question — in that the artist’s, or restaurant’s, production must be discredited in light of their actions. And while I would never defend sexual assault, it’s important to recognize the difference between silencing abusive actors and silencing opposing viewpoints.

There is undoubtedly an unattractive side of Chick-fil-A, and their opposition to LGBTQ rights is inexcusable, but Cathy’s voicing of those opinions is inherently defensible under the First Amendment. In the early 2010s, Chick-fil-A’s charity, the WinShape Foundation, suspended donations to Christian, anti-gay rights non-profits. Therefore, the Chick-fil-A conundrum is one of speech and acceptance, far more than of an evil, electro-shocking chicken company.

Southbend, Indiana mayor and gay presidential candidate Pete Buttigieg said in an interview, “I do not approve of their politics, but I kind of approve of their chicken.”

Buttigieg continued, “To me, [there are] two things that can happen when you are conscious of your identity. One is it turns into all these ways we separate ourselves from each other, and it just turns into one big you-don’t-know-me. But the other way we can do it is we can say, ‘OK I’ve got this experience, you’ve got this experience, what can we talk about that brings us together?'” 

It seems melodramatic to say that a decision as simple as eating at Chick-fil-A represents the greater divisiveness in our country. It seems overwrought to suggest that, by supporting LGBTQ rights, you’re harboring an “us vs. them” mentality. But I wholeheartedly agree with Mayor Pete.

So please, I’ll have a number four meal, four-count, with a Dr. Pepper and a couple of Chick-fil-A sauces.