Same sex marriage comments lead to support and protests at Board - 21 News Now, More Local News for Youngstown, Ohio -

BOARDMAN, Ohio - The controversy over same sex marriage is drawing people from both sides of the issue to a privately owned restaurant chain in Boardman.

The Chick-fil-A on Boardman-Poland Road is just one of the chain's restaurants that has become a lightning rod for controversy.

Representatives of the Mahoning Valley's gay and lesbian community planned to protest Wednesday night, while others flocked to the restaurant throughout the day to show support.

People were willing to wait in line, in some cases for up to 45 minutes, as part of a nationwide show of support referred to as "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day."

The CEO of the fast food chain, Dan Cathy, has come under fire for publicly stating the company's opposition to same-sex marriage. But a number of people in the Valley are jumping to his defense, saying Cathy shouldn't be criticized for his beliefs.

Donna McConnell of East Palestine wasn't shy about why she supports Chick-fil-A, "I think everybody has a right of freedom of speech and they should not be brought down because of that right. That's a right the constitution gives everybody."

Gary Winslow purchased 21 gift cards from Chick-fil-A in a show of support. Winslow says it's surprising how patient people are when it comes to something they believe in, "That is the reason I'm here. Just to support Chick-fil-A, freedom of speech and support family."

But mayors of a number of large cities have been highly critical of the Chick-fil-A CEO's stand, that the company supports the traditional time-honored biblical views on marriage.

And protesters who have gathered in a number of cities to take a stand -- have vowed to boycott the fast-food chain saying the CEO's views have left a bad taste in their mouth.