I’ve eaten and enjoyed a good amount of Chick-fil-a throughout my life. I’ve known the large red and white logo for as long as I can remember. I’ve also always known that Chick-fil-A’s religious ties were no secret, but it wasn’t until last year that I decided I would boycott eating at the Georgia-based chicken sandwich chain.

Chick-fil-A is owned by the Cathy family. Georgia native S. Truett Cathy founded the chain on May 23, 1946 with his brother. Cathy’s son, Dan Cathy, now serves as the CEO. Cathy is infamous for his opposition of same-sex marriage.

This intolerance first came to light in 2012, when Cathy made comments expressing his opposition of same-sex marriage. Shortly after, it was discovered that the foundation that his father operated, the Win-Shape Foundation, had donated millions of dollars to political organizations that were believed to be hostile to LGBTQ+ rights.

Chick-fil-A has donated to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, which doesn’t hire LGBTQ+ employees, and Exodus International, a group that supports conversion therapy.

During a radio interview at The Ken Coleman show, Cathy said that the US was “inviting God’s judgement on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.”

Personally, I don’t agree with Chick-fil A’s politics, and I think it’s incredibly shady that the company still tries to hide their intolerance of the LGBTQ+ community. For a company that boasts Christian values, it seems like there is nothing less Christian than preventing all people from having equal rights.

Despite their intolerance of the LGBTQ+ community, the chain is still highly revered. After the 2012 controversy, company sales rose by 12 percent. Any time I pass by a Chick-fil-A, the line is always incredibly long, and lots of people still eat there knowing that the CEO is anti-LGBTQ+.

Still, some people are choosing not to support the restaurant. This month, San Antonio Councilman Robert Trevino barred a Chick-fil-A from being built in the San Antonio Airport. According to CNN, Trevino said that San Antonio does not tolerate “anti-LGBTQ behavior.”

In 2014, Chick-fil-A said that they would cease involvement with political groups. Still yet, Chick-fil-A continues to fund these groups in 2019.

We live in a free-market economy where we have to autonomy to spend our money wherever we choose to. I think that the problem with Chick-fil-A goes deeper than their views on the LGBTQ+ community.

I think it has to do with us, the consumers. The fact of the matter is, when you purchase anything from Chick-fil-A, you’re giving them the money to fund anti-LGBTQ+ organizations. It’s time to recognize that. Many of us, especially at St. Edward’s, wouldn’t donate to groups like this. We get to choose where we spend our money, so why not be mindful of where it’s really going?