Regarding Chick-fil-A’s support for pro-gender marriage, the Los Angeles Times correctly notes the difference between private individuals boycotting a company and public officials using their power to punish companies for exercising their right to free speech.

“But public officials have a responsibility to carry out their ministerial tasks fairly and even-handedly — and to uphold the principle of free speech — whether or not they like a business executive's social or political stances. We disagree heartily with [Chick-fil-A president Dan] Cathy, but are far more troubled by the reaction of Boston Mayor Thomas M. Menino, who vowed to block Chick-fil-A's effort to open an outlet in that city.

“In his drive to be inclusive, Mayor Menino vowed to exclude Chick-fil-A from opening its doors in Boston.”

The Boston Herald reported Menino as saying,

“Chick-fil-A doesn’t belong in Boston. You can’t have a business in the city of Boston that discriminates against a population. We’re an open city, we’re a city that’s at the forefront of inclusion.”

“That’s the Freedom Trail. That’s where it all started right here. And we’re not going to have a company, Chick-fil-A or whatever the hell the name is, on our Freedom Trail.”

Menino wants to limit free speech on the Freedom Trail?

“If they need licenses in the city, it will be very difficult — unless they open up their policies,” he warned.

“It doesn’t send the right message to the country,” Menino said. “We’re a leader when it comes to social justice and opportunities for all.”

America has become so politically correct that offending people who support same-sex attraction is avoided at all costs.  The price for same-sex marriage is gender-segregation in the basic family unit, and even the foundational American right to free speech itself is in danger.

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