I don’t eat at Chik-fil-A anymore. It’s not because I care that Dan Cathy and I have different opinions on the definition of “marriage,” and it’s sure not because the food isn’t delicious. I don’t eat Chik-fil-A anymore because the money I spend on a no. 1 with a lemonade adds to the pool of nearly $2 million donated annually to anti-gay hate groups.

Groups receiving such funds are the Family Research Council, a lobbying firm listed as a hate group in 2010 by the Southern Poverty Law Center, that bills itself as a Christian organization promoting the “traditional” family unit.

Its president, Tony Perkins, explicitly stated his opinion on homosexuals in a speech in 2011 at the The Oak Initiative Summit. “They are intolerant. They are hateful. They are vile. They are spiteful pawns of the enemy.”

Tony Perkins and the Family Research Council are prime examples of the bigotry and hate that still exist in our country.

After Republican ex-presidential candidates Mike Huckabee and Rick Santorum organized National Chik-Fil-A Appreciation Day in honor of the corporation’s contributions to hate groups, America’s bigots came out in droves to show their support. But the previous day, a different type of demonstration occurred. In the style of the famous Civil Rights era 1960’s “sit-ins,” gay couples around the country held “kiss-ins.”

Even though the Civil Rights Era seemingly ended almost 50 years ago, the fact that groups still work to deny Americans their basic human rights proves that social-revolution is still needed.

The term “civil rights” is not restricted for African Americans. It’s not a term exclusively used when describing suffrage protest. It’s a term used when describing the struggle for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for all people.

I am in no way discrediting the commendable activities that Chik-fil-A supports. They give millions of dollars to terminally ill children and have fantastic scholarships for their employees. But there is simply too much bad to ignore. Chik-fil-A backs hate groups whose intentions are to limit human rights and the principles this country was founded on. No such corporation will ever get my money.

While a boneless breast of chicken seasoned to perfection, hand-breaded, pressure cooked in 100 percent refined peanut oil and served on a toasted, buttered bun with dill pickle chips (also available on a golden wheat bun) may not leave a bad taste in your mouth, a corporation surrounded by so much hate should. I don’t eat Chik-fil-A anymore and neither should you.