Same-sex marriage opponents flock to Chick-fil-A

FAIRFIELD, Calif. (KGO) -- Thousands turned out across the nation Wednesday to show their support for Chick-fil-A restaurants after chain's president publically opposed same-sex marriage. The lines outside the Bay Area's only Chick-fil-A in Fairfield were up to two hours at one point during the afternoon.

They sang Chiristian hymns and argued that traditional marriage is god's law, but mostly they stood patiently waiting to show their support for Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy.

"I think we're all tired of other people's values being rammed down our throats," Napa resident Linda Stevens said.

Two weeks ago, Cathy said, "I think we are inviting God's judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say, 'We know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.'"

That led to wide-spread condemnations. San Francisco's mayor warned Chick-fil-A not to try and come any closer.

Tea party organizers responded by calling for Wednesday's Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.

There was one dissenting voice at the Chick-fil-A in Fairfield.

"I can't believe that I'm the only protestor here," Teresa Williams said.

Williams drove up from Walnut Creek to protest against the fast food chain.

"I see nothing but a long, long line of people who support discrimination and hate and bigotry," she said.

Larger pro-same-sex marriage demonstrations are being planned for this Friday.

The owner of this Chick-fil-A restaurant is overwhelmed by Wednesday's showing.

"I mean, we've had a lot of calls and a lot of people comment all week, but this is just, I am just blown away," Annette Fortney said.

The company has issued a statement saying, "Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena."

Fortney says she doesn't want to take sides. Her immediate concern was what to about the dinner crowd; by late in the afternoon they were running low on chicken and they eventually closed early after running out of food.

In San Jose, supporters of same-sex marriage protested outside the Chick-fil-A restaurant that is set to open later this month.

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same sex marriage, restaurants, fairfield, protest, north bay news, mark matthews

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