Controversial Chicken: Same-Sex Debate at Chick-fil-A

Wednesday officially became Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, thanks to the declaration of Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor and ex-Republican presidential candidate.

Consuming fast-food chicken is more than just a culinary choice these days.

It's mired in controversy, politics, and civil rights.

Wednesday officially became "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day," thanks to the declaration of Mike Huckabee, former Arkansas governor and ex-Republican presidential candidate. Sarah Palin joined in the fray too, by tweeting a picture last week of her and her husband at one of the restaurants; the former vice presidential nominee gave a happy thumbs up holding a bag of chicken.

Conservatives are supporting Dan Cathy, the president of the company, who came out on July 16 in the Baptist Press against same-sex marriage, saying Chick-fil-A is "“very much supportive of the family…the biblical definition of the family unit.”

On Wednesday, there were long lines at the company's 1,600 restaurants, including the Fairfield one. Patrick Walsh of Vallejo was one of several customers waiting for a chicken breakfast. In addition to supporting the cause, Walsh added: "I like chicken."

In response, however, those who support same-sex marriage are hosting their own counter event. The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation is encouraging a "National Same-Sex Kiss Day" on Friday, encouraging homosexual couples to show up at a Chick-fil-A to hold a kiss-in, and post photos of those smooches.

This is not the only debate to rage at Chik-fil-A. In 2009, the restaurant chain became a breast-feeding battle ground over the right to nurse publicly.

[View the story "Controversial Chicken: Same-Sex Debate" on Storify]

Contact Lisa Fernandez at 408-432-4758 or lisa.fernandez@nbcuni.com. Follow Jodi Hernandez @jodihernandez01.

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