Jim Henson Company Says No Thanks to Chik-fil-A’s Anti-Gay Stance

Kudos to Lisa Henson and the Jim Henson Company for taking a stand against bigotry. On Friday, they posted the following statement on their Facebook page.

“The Jim Henson Company has celebrated and embraced diversity and inclusiveness for over fifty years and we have notified Chick-Fil-A that we do not wish to partner with them on any future endeavors. Lisa Henson, our CEO is personally a strong supporter of gay marriage and has directed us to donate the payment we received from Chick-Fil-A to GLAAD. ”

The comments that came after their statement are mostly supportive but there are a few gems from conservatives like Marilyn Gillespie Chapman who posted (note the multiple spelling errors, hers not mine), “The muppets will no longer be a part of my families lives. Whoever is running the Muppet franchise isn’t very smart. They just turned away their audience – you know – families that have morals. Chick-Filet would not treat a gay customer differently or refuse to serve them – they simply support marraige between a man and woman. It is the left that has no tolerance for diversity of views.”

And there is Catherine O. Snow who writes, “I’m saddened by your decision. I will continue to support God’s only design for marriage, which is a reflection of Christ’s love for the Church, as well as for Chick-fil-A.”

Wait, what? God’s only design for Chik-fil-A?

Then there are those showing support, granted through sarcasm, like Jason Beyer who wrote, “For those of you planning to boycott the Muppets you should also try boycotting the library for the books they carry and the LGBT community members they employ. Then you wouldn’t have to feel pressured to read a book ever again making it much easier for you to maintain your close minded beliefs. Thank you Muppets! Love to you forever and always!”

And Jacob Hamann, who writes, “Huzzah! I don’t really understand the logic behind those who believe they are constitutionally warranted the ability to tred on the fundamental rights of others. This is the same argument used by bigots in the 1950s-60s during the civil rights movement. What if the shoe was on the other foot? It is great to see corporate powers siding with empathy and compassion rather than bigotry and hatred. :)”

Thank you Henson and company for all you do and for standing on the side of good in this ridiculous battle that I cannot believe we have to face. I have no ill will toward anyone else’s belief. If you don’t believe I should be allowed to be married, fine. Just don’t try to stalwart my attempts to be happy. It is embarrassing that, in 2012, we can’t simply accept and appreciate the differences in everyone.

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About the author

I’m Tommy, a writer and storyteller who works in marketing for the arts and cultural communities. I’m the author of Mabel Stanley and the Town That Was Built All Wrong, a fun and heartfelt book, and I’m currently working on a novel about self-discovery and the complexities of memory. Writing is a big part of my life, but I also enjoy creating experiences that bring people together, which is why my husband, Matt, and I co-run the online store Have Fun Spread Joy. It’s all about embracing the playful side of life and giving back along the way. I’m married to Matt, and we share our home with our two pets, Zoey (the cat) and Dixie (the dog). When I’m not writing, working on our store, or doing marketing for the arts, I like to dive into theater, something I want to get more involved with over time. I was diagnosed with ADHD, and while it comes with its own set of challenges, it also gives me a unique perspective that I try to channel into everything I do. Whether it’s writing, working on creative projects, or finding ways to spread joy, I’m all about making a lasting impact in whatever I do.

Tommy Karr