Letters: Chick-fil-A vs. Boston

Re “Free speech and fried chicken,” Editorial, July 24

I don’t agree with Chick-fil-A’s anti-gay political donations, but if you disagree with a company’s stance, you can choose not to purchase its product or invest money in it.

To think that Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino wants to deny Chick-fil-A a business license simply because it exercised its free-speech rights is offensive. That he would use his power to stifle that speech is the epitome of discrimination, especially because there has been no indication that Chick-fil-A has ever refused service because of sexual orientation.

Jim Toomey

Reseda

I agree that Boston has no cause to block Chic-fil-A from opening an outlet. However, The Times ought to do more than “disagree heartily” with Chic-fil-A’s anti-gay statements. Rhetoric like this contributes to a culture that leads to rates of attempted suicide among gay teenagers that are five times higher than straight teens, according to a study by a Columbia University professor.

Menino should trust people to make their own decisions on Chick-fil-A, but the horrendous effects of homophobia should not be downplayed.

David Deerson

Arlington, Va.

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