Many of the funds go to a foundation that practices violence against children. Yes, it supports organizations that allow parents to incarcerate their 13-17-year-old children in institutions where staff, among other things, have raped, beaten and used aversion therapy on the children. Don't believe me? Look up the Anderson Cooper CNN special on these so-called Christian institutions that allow these acts, and worse.
Dom knew this when he took his circus to Chick-fil-A. He was informed about the institutions during a debate that morning. It seems that publicity is more important to him than the welfare of children. While he knew that, most of those who went to the Chick-fil-A "appreciation day" did not know it since he repeatedly told them it was a free-speech issue. Some of the failure falls on the LGBT community and it's organizations for not getting the real message out there. I apologize for that.
Aside from grandstanding about free speech while totally ignoring the violence against children, Dom then takes the opportunity to bash Councilman Kenney for his opposition of Chick-fil-A by listing a plethora of city problems. Had he done his homework, he would have noted that Kenney is out front on most of these issues. Again, Dom is misguiding the public. And for what reason? Kenney will introduce a resolution in council against Chick-fil-A. That takes all of five minutes and has no legal bearing. Obviously, Dom thinks that a piece of paper is more worthy of attention than the welfare of children. Kenney, and I'll bet the vast majority of City Council, will support the resolution as anyone who supports the issue of children's welfare would do.
Mark Segal
Publisher
Philadelphia Gay News
Re: Dan Cathy's, of Chick-fil-a, opinion about marriage between a man and a woman, I decided to have lunch with my daughter today in support of what he said. I do believe that marriage is only between a man and a woman and that is not negotiable. The amount of support I saw there today shows me that people are tired of always having to give an inch while the loudmouth minority goes ahead and takes a yard. God bless all who made it their business to speak up. And to those loudmouth Roman Catholic politicians, you know who you are, stop pandering to the minority simply for a vote. Kudos to Dan Cathy for putting his money where his mouth is and for having the Christian values that he has.
Maria Carto
Philadelphia
I couldn't think of just one response to Dom Giordano's column, so here's a few!
No one's had more disagreements with Jimmy Kenney over the years than me, but no one can question the man's intellect or genuine caring for the people of Philadelphia.
Only hope Dom comes home one night to find his son holding hands on the sofa with a male companion while watching "Brokeback Mountain."
Only hope Dom finds his daughter in a lip-lock with another girl while they're watching "The L Word."
Joey Vento, R.I.P. He was a good man who didn't need anyone to fight his battles for him.
Wonder if the embroidered "D.G." initials on Dom's custom-tailored shirts actually stand for "Demi-God"?
With all this talk of fattening fried food, I'm really going to enjoy the quinoa salad I'm about to have for lunch!
John J. Dougherty
Business Manager
IBEW Local 98
Regarding gay marriage, be glad that some still want to marry and aren't satisfied shacking up. Let's not worry about trying to control other adults. Instead, make sure that we respect each other and teach our children to respect and love themselves, their families, animals, communities and their environment. This will go a long way toward strengthening family values. More than prejudice and intolerance will.
Besides, we can all learn from various examples of love.
Craig Reid
Philadelphia
I saw Mr. Giordano's article and wanted to refute that Councilman James Kenney has not helped our neighborhood. We were involved in a fight with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia and the Vatican Council for Catholic Education to save our school, Our Lady of Mount Carmel. Councilman Kenney spearheaded many meetings, rallies and fundraisers for our cause. He gave interviews to the media, as well as appeared on Fox 29 on behalf of our cause. He was encouraging and compassionate with our group and made us feel like our cause was just as important to him as it was to us. He has always been there for anything our community has needed.
I am born and raised in South Philadelphia and I know everyone here knows they can always count on Councilman Kenney. He is not only an exceptional public servant — he is a great human being.
Joseph C Nelson, Jr.
Philadelphia
I am not surprised that Jim Kenney has sensibly avoided coming on your show and debating you, Dom. Your show on 1210-AM and Fox29 news programming are bastions of conservative propaganda that are anything but fair and balanced. Your ad hominem attack on the councilman, which is what name-calling is, is a dead giveaway that you wish to avoid a rational discussion and that you won't let facts get in the way of your conservative ideology.
Your conservative values, Dom, always seem to thrive on fear: fear of change, fear of the future and especially fear of those who are different, like gay individuals. Jim Kenney has always defended and fought for equality for those who are less fortunate, or different. He has advocated for women seeking equal rights, immigrant laborers seeking better pay and now gay individuals asking for the most basic of rights: the right to marry the person they love.
No member of City Council has done more than Jim Kenney to improve the fundamental quality of life of our neighborhoods through his support of the Parks and Recreation Department. Jim has regularly given his time, talent and energy at Rizzo Rink to instill character in our youth through the sport of hockey. There is a reason Jim Kenney keeps getting re-elected to City Council: He is an honest and effective public servant and has made Philadelphia a better place.
Angelo Pinto
Philadelphia
I applaud Councilman Kenney's strongly worded letter to Chick-fil-A. A person's sexual orientation is no more determined than gender. How can two people loving each other be wrong? How can the very essence of your soul be denied?
Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A's president, has a right to "his" opinion. It is my experience that these so called "religious" bigots are the hypocrites. We need not look any further then the church and Penn State in our own back yards.
Equal rights are the foundation of our country. I will be expressing my beliefs by supporting Jim Kenney's resolution condemning Cathy and his company.
Provincial attitudes exist, but it doesn't make them right.
Dianne Mayer
Philadelphia
Do me a big favor: when you want to criticize me for taking a position against a CEO of a national company who gives his money to a group that has a connection to the Ku Klux Klan and a group that administered electro-shock therapy to gay people in order to "cure" them, please mention these facts:
I do not have a city car, use a city car or insurance or gas, or a city cellphone. I took a pay cut and have refused the annual COLA. I have continuously stood up and criticized the mayor about his incessant attacks on our firefighters and have always supported our city workers. That is so, even though none of these unions endorsed me for re-election because I was the only Council member who voted to end DROP!
So, get all your facts before you spout off. OK, Cuz?
Jim Kenney
City Councilman
