What do you buy with a chicken sandwich? In the age we live in, the reality is that it is almost impossible to avoid the implicit cost of anything – whether it’s casting a vote or buying a meal. But that does not mean that we should ignore the effects of our consumer choices. 

The Hill School and many of its clubs, offices, and other organizations often endorse and advertise the appeal of free Chick-fil-A to the student body. The Georgia-based fast-food restaurant has been built on its famous “Chick-fil-A sauce,” delicious sandwiches, and the religious beliefs of its founder, namely that Sundays are for God and same-sex marriage is a sin. In the past decade, as the Pride movement has grown considerably, this stance has become more and more controversial. In the face of this controversy, the Chick-fil-A company has repeatedly given millions to openly anti-LGBTQ organizations. In March of 2019, NBC News reported that the nonpartisan, nonprofit organization Public Religion Research Institute found that 69% of Americans support “broad nondiscrimination protections for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people.” The beliefs of America’s third-largest fast-food company do not align with the view of the majority, yet their business still thrives, even at Hill. 

Hill simultaneously supporting the outwardly anti-LGBTQ+ stance of Chick-fil-A and pro-inclusivity student organizations such as Hill Advocates for Sexual and Gender Identity (HASOGI) sends a conflicting institutional message as to what exactly our values as a school are. A few weeks ago, I asked an alumnus and member of the Board of Trustees what aspect of Hill is, in his opinion, most worth preserving. He quickly answered that throughout decades of change, Hill has consistently produced students with a strong sense of moral judgement and character. 

How are we supposed to preach to generations to come of a school known for our students’ strong moral compass if we invest in support our Office of Diversity and Inclusion while also heavily promoting a brand that is clearly so against the ideals that we supposedly stand for? 

This past week, a New Orleans high school made news by refusing free Chick-fil-A offered to their teachers on moral grounds. 

“Out of respect to our LGBTQ staff, we have chosen to not serve Chick-fil-A at an employee lunch,” Principal Dr. Steven Corbett said to local news station Fox 6. On the same day that Corbett was making headlines, rainbow flags flew above our own Dining Hall in celebration of National Coming Out Day. 

We clearly have the basis and audience to enact change, so why don’t we? Why don’t we follow the example of Lusher High School? Whether you support the Pride movement is up to you, but no matter if the issue is animal rights, the environment, or what you eat for lunch, we have a responsibility as members of a community to consider the consequences of our actions; conflicting views will get us nowhere. Now more than ever, we must stand our ground, as a school, and as individuals.