Menino urges Chick-fil-A to stay out of Boston

BOSTON (WHDH) -- A fast food chain is cooking up controversy in Boston, which has Mayor Thomas M. Menino rallying against Chick-fil-A.

Menino publicly urged the company to stay out of Boston because of its opposition to gay marriage and funding of anti-gay organizations.

The company was reportedly shopping for sites in downtown Boston, including along the Freedom Trail.

Menino mailed a letter to the CEO of the company which read in part: “There’s no place for discrimination on Boston’s Freedom Trail and no place for your company alongside it.”

“It’s my personal opinion, as mayor I can express myself as well and anybody else, but I just hope they don’t come to Boston and feed off the people of our city who are really a city that welcomes gay marriages, welcomes inclusion and welcomes diversity,” Menino said. "It's about equal rights, and that's what I'm for."

In response, Chick-fil-A released a statement which reads:

“The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect - regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender.”

Some applauded the mayor’s move.

“Good. He’s making a stand for us gay people,” one man said.

“I completely support Menino in that,” said Jenny Bencze. “I don’t think anyone should be able to have a business here if they think what Chick-fil-A thinks.”

Others said Menino is off base.

“Your politics shouldn’t make any difference if they’re just eating. It’s an eating establishment,” said Mike Field.

Bruins goalie Tim Thomas even chimed in on his Facebook page saying, “I stand with Chick-fil-A.”