Chicken Sandwiches and Kindred Spirits
By Chris Pelicano ( bio - articles ) | Aug 02, 2012
I just came back from a long lunch with friends I didn't know. Yes, I went with my wife and a couple of our kids to Chick-fil-A for lunch. So did a lot of other people—not only in my small town but all across the country.
We parked in an overflow parking lot, waited for an hour inside the building before placing our order, being served, and eventually eating. During our wait, we spoke with Chick-fil-A staff as they went about their duties, fellow waiting patrons, and each other. There were no protest signs, no speeches, no chanting, no media, no politicians trying to capitalize on the "captive audience", and no overt displays of heterosexuality (unless you consider moms with small kids in-tow an overt display). There were, however, lots of smiles, lots of courtesy, and lots of patience—on our part and the part of the busy staff.
The lunch crowd was visually diverse—young, old, married, unmarried, students, professionals, manual laborers, retirees, veterans, parents, grandparents, babies, etc. This was not a formally organized community or organizational event. But, we all knew why we were there—to silently stand with Chick-fil-A in acknowledging the reality of marriage as it has always been defined—the union of a man and a woman.
What struck me was that the conversations among patrons were quiet, sincere, and ordinary—like one would have among friends. We were by our presence collectively affirming the fact of marriage. There was no need to attack or tear down advocates of same-sex "marriage". We all just knew that there is no such thing as "same-sex" Marriage. ... and we all knew where to go to get a good chicken sandwich.
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