Chick-fil- A Wants Their Homophobia and Chicken in Commerce Too
Chris Mayhew, Cincinnati Enquirer
A public protest took place at the center of the Cincinnati Cyclones' game Saturday night at U.S. Bank Arena where people held "Chick-fil-A is ANTI-GAY" signs.
The hockey team, in the midst of a playoff series, has threatened seven people with criminal trespassing if they ever return, spokesman Everett Fitzhugh said Sunday. Signs will be banned on the "Fan Zam" Zamboni from now on, too, Fitzhugh said.
"Moving forward, we have adopted a 'no signage' policy on the Fan Zam, and we will be monitoring all riders to make sure something like this doesn't happen again," he said.
The Cyclones were hosting the Kalamazoo Wings in Game 2 of the first round of the ECHL's Kelly Cup Playoffs. The Cyclones, tied with one win apiece with the Wings in the best of 7 matchup, will have to win in Kalamazoo, Michigan to bring the playoffs back to Cincinnati. Game 6 against Kalamazoo, if needed, will be at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 23 at U.S. Bank Arena. People snuck the signs aboard the "Fan Zam" Zamboni during the game's first intermission, according to the Cyclones' Twitter account.
The "Fan Zam," labeled for sponsor Chick-fil-A, carts people around the rink.
The signs were hidden inside a birthday sign, according to the Twitter post. The people, who are seen on Reddit riding with the signs in the "Fan Zam" with Chick-fil-A's cow mascot, were tossed by the Cyclones from the game.
The fast-food chain continues to be criticized for anti-gay marriage statements made in years past by the company's CEO, according to a recent USA Today article. The family-owned chain is also facing protests for donations to organizations reported to oppose LGBTQ rights, according to an April 12 USA Today article. LGBTQ is an acronym for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (or queer).
The Cyclones continued to publicly rebuke the protesters' actions in the comments section of the hockey team's own tweet with the following statement:
During the first intermission a group of protestors riding the Chick-fil-A Fan Zam displayed unacceptable messaging that was hidden inside of a birthday sign. The Cincinnati Cyclones & U.S. Bank Arena do not condone this type of behavior or the messaging expressed. 1 of 2
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Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Seelbach took to social media Sunday afternoon in response to Cincinnati Cyclones having Chick-fil-A as a sponsor.
"Can’t have it both ways Cincinnati Cyclones," Seelbach said. "You can’t pretend to be LGBT friendly by hosting a pride night, but also have anti-gay Chick-fil-A as a sponsor."
The Cyclones have no further comment on the matter, Fitzhugh said in response to being asked about Seelbach's comments.
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