Gay rights and Chick-Fil-A

Dear Editor:Katie Solozano started quite a ruckus two weeks ago and I thank her for it. I'm sure she has long known that Downey houses a plethora of "good Christian people" who will mask their homophobia with phrases like "I don't hate them, I just don't support them" or "They chose their lifestyle." Katie and I are present enough to realize that there is a very real oppression going on, and it's not within the Christian or straight community. I am a Mexican-American queer woman and I will not support Chick-Fil-A. Obviously the citizens of Downey have every right to support Chick-Fil-A, and I don't think anyone actually thought they were going to remain empty because of their CEO's extremely homophobic stance, but it is my right to not support that establishment. This is the only lifestyle choice my opponents will be able to accuse me of correctly. Let's add common sense about the presence of Chick-Fil-A in Downey to a hypothetical LGBTQA (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and ally) celebration. I would like to see a LGBTQA celebration in Downey, and those who think it has no place in Downey should not attend the celebration. If you do not believe in gay marriage, don't have a gay marriage. Having an "opinion" about gay people is one thing, but donating a considerable amount of money to any hateful organization that targets and further oppresses the gay community is absolutely an act of homophobia and hatred. That is the issue I have with Chick-Fil-A. If no one else in Downey will listen and have empathy and compassion, I want Katie Solozano to know she has an ally in me. I only hope the city of Downey will one day have a safe space for people like us. Renee Montoya Downey

Dear Editor: Although I vehemently disagree with Katie Solozano suggesting that we need more garbage-producing fast-food chains in Downey period (such as McDonald's), she raised an important point regarding Chick-Fil-A's views on the LBGT community and its significance as a business in Downey. Would Downey support a business entering the city if it were openly anti-African American, anti-Latin, anti-Asian, anti-Muslim or anti-Semetic? Would it support a business that was anti-women or misogynistic? I don't think so and my guess is it would raise a torch about how it upheld the ideals of civil rights. When then, in the 21st century, does Solozano deserve to be chastised because she knows (and it's public information) that Chick-Fil-A openly discriminates against same-sex couples? Furthermore, what is wrong with having a gay pride parade or any celebration in Downey? Wouldn't having a celebration actually prove that the city welcomes and does not discriminate against groups from different backgrounds, creed or sexual orientation? In response to Solozano, if you recall Cesar Chavez and Dolores Huerta, the best action to show disapproval is to boycott and employ our First Amendment rights of freedom to assembly. In response to the "good Christians," the only good God is an accepting God...a God that loves and embraces his/her children regardless of sexual orientation. Giovanni Hortua Downey

********** Published: Oct. 24, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 28