If Chick-fil-A can hate the gays, then the gays can hate Chick-fil-A. I know everyone's getting annoyed with all the Facebook posts and articles about how much the fast food chain sucks, but I feel like the more bad press they get, the better. So this is my contribution to the LGBT community and its opposition to the delicious, gay-bashing chain.

You and I both know that Chick-fil-A has always been a religious company, known for closing on Sundays, "The Lord's Day". Personally, I find Sundays to be a day for drinking and sunning; in my world, it's more a fun day than God's day. It's not really the religious nature of the company that bothers me, but the way they blatantly dislike gay people and aren't afraid to say it. If you want to be religious, or even if you want to have a view on gay marriage that I don't agree with (obviously I'm pro- gay marriage), that's fine. Despite all the gay people who just read that and are most likely freaking out right now, I think people's opinions are sacred. The thing that bothers me most about the fast food chain is the fact that instead of keeping their opinions to themselves, they have, without being asked, made it very clear that they not only oppose gay marriage, but gay people and their relationships as well.

My stand against this fast food chain is to not go there any longer. I can't allow myself to give money to someone who produces and condones such hate in people. Check out this twitter feed I saw posted on Facebook. These are REAL tweets from people. I just can't allow myself to eat in an establishment that causes people to be so hateful against other human beings. Period.

I'm sure many of you are boycotting the chain as well, but are also wondering where to go for your chicken sandwich cravings. There are certainly plenty of local restaurants ready to step up to satisfy your needs in the wake of the Chick-fil-A boycott.

The extremely LGBT-friendly Hamburger Mary's, which has locations around the country, including in Ybor City, created a new dish to oppose the anti-gay views of Chick-fil-A: the "Hate Free Southern Chicken Sandwich". The restaurant introduced the sandwich with great fanfare, including a kick-off party with balloons and cow costumes. And $1 from each sandwich sold will be donated to various equality causes. Though not a sandwich, The Refinery, the Seminole Heights' restaurant that changes up its menu on a weekly basis, currently has Chix Fillet, a dill pickle-marinated, fried Tanglewood chicken breast, on its menu through at least Thursday evening. Beak's Old Florida offers a Grilled Mojo chicken sandwich, with pecan-smoked bacon and Havarti cheese. Last week, for one day only — the same day as National Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, the restaurant even donated $2.15 from every sandwich to Equality Florida.

Or, you can make your own version of the sandwich. Below is a step-by-step recipe for a homemade chicken sandwich alternative — free of hate. It tastes like the very same sandwich on their menu, except these don't support bigotry. I'm telling you, my friends and I made this last week, and it's way better. Trust me.

Chick-fil-Gay Sandwich recipe

What you need:

- 1 boneless, skinless chicken breast
- 1/4 cup pickle juice (sour dill is my favorite)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1/2 cup flour
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1/4 teaspoon celery salt
- 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
- Optional: up to 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper for a spicier sandwich
- Oil for frying (about a cup)
- For serving: Buns (buttered and toasted) and pickle slices

1. Wrap the boneless skinless chicken breast in plastic wrap and pound as evenly as possible. Once pounded evenly, cut into two portions.

2. Marinate each portion in pickle juice for 30 to 60 minutes (the longer, the better).

3. Beat one egg with the milk in a bowl.

4. In another bowl, combine the spices, sugar and flour.

5. Dip each piece of marinated chicken breast into the bowl with the egg and milk, followed by the bowl with the flour mixture. Coat each side.

6. Heat up the oil in a skillet (1/2" deep) to about 350 degrees.

7. Fry each chicken breast until golden brown on each side.

8. Put on toasted bun with pickle slices and other desired condiments and enjoy!