Gay rights activists set to school Chick-fil-A

Despite attracting heated opposition to its president’s open statement against gay marriage, Chick-fil-A is opening several new locations in the Bay Area — an area clearly known for its support of marriage equality.

This prompted LGBTQ rights groups throughout the area to protest the opening of the chain’s newest restaurant opening in San Jose this afternoon.

This restaurant at 53 Headquarters Way will be the second Chick-fil-A in the Bay Area, joining a location in Fairfield. A third restaurant is scheduled to open in Walnut Creek Oct. 11, which is also National Coming Out Day.

You haven’t seen the last of Chick-fil-A either. The chain plans to open yet another restaurant in Novato soon, according to Marin County records.

Since the controversy began a month ago,  events have been staged in response to the company’s position — both in support and against Dan Cathy’s opinion.

Lines out the door at the restaurant in Fairfield marked “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” last month, while protesters crowded its dining area for “Same-Sex Kiss Day” just a few days later.

Protesters are planning to gather outside the San Jose Chick-fil-A at 4 p.m. today and use the area for a discussion of social justice, Marriage Equality USA’s Bay Area spokesman Billy Bradford told CBS SF:

“This is about our relationships, it’s about our families, it’s about treating everybody equally.”

Bradford said that the protest is intended to be peaceful, with no intent to intimidate patrons into ditching their chicken sandwiches. Signs and speeches will be used as a way to educate the public about gay rights, he said:

“We’re going to say ‘Welcome to the Bay Area’.”