“And freedom, after all, is at the heart of the controversy over same-sex marriage. True individual freedom includes allowing consenting adults to marry the partners they choose, regardless of gender. To those for whom same-sex marriage is personally objectionable, their free choice is simple: Don’t enter into one. But don’t impede the freedom of others to do so. As long as Chick-fil-A operates within the boundaries of the law, municipalities and institutions should leave the decision about whether to eat at Chick-fil-A to individual consumers. If they do, Chick-fil-A is still likely to experience a net loss of business over time as a result of Mr. Cathy’s statements. This is because gay people are the constituency most viscerally, fundamentally and personally affected by the denial of the freedom to marry the consenting adult we choose.

“We are the ones with the highest personal stakes in sticking out the battle in the long run. And we will vote with our feet.”

For the complete op ed piece, go to http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/02/opinion/let-chick-fil-a-fly-free.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=chick%20fil%20a&st=Search