The same scene was played out throughout the south today and somewhat more subdued around the rest of the country.
Cleveland residents were especially supportive.
Cleveland is known as a strong-hold for the Church of God in the southeastern United states.
So the turn-out around the Keith Street Chick Fil A was expected.
But the issue drew a strong emotional response, and the lines began forming before 9 a.m.
ERNEST LUNDY, CLEVELAND "It took us about 40 minutes to get served..but it was worth it..I would have waited two hours to..show our support for Chick Fil A..and Cathy and really freedom of speech."
BOB ZWARYCH, CLEVELAND "I've got to stand up for our freedom of speech."
Dan Cathy sparked a national controversy when he told the Baptist Press that he was "guilty as charged" for supporting the "biblical definition of a family."
That led to widespread criticism from gay rights groups and some leaders.
Although there were no protestors at the Cleveland store, locals who did not agree with Cathy were not silent.
JERRY HARVEY, CHATTANOOGA "Most of the Christian based people on that side of the issue, I think believe that we are trying to change their values, and we're not. We're simply trying to show them that we have the same values as they do, although they don't believe that".
The drive-thru and inside store traffic continued into the evening in Cleveland, and customers were anxious to weight in on what may be the beginning of a long controversy between supports of gay marriage and those who support Dan Cathy, Chick Fil A and a more traditional family structure.
BOB LEWIS, CHICK FIL A CUSTOMER "I support Chick Fil A...fully."
"VRYLL", FROM SOUTH AFRICA "The kids love it..this is our favorite place to eat...we like the place..its very family oriented..it has the same morals and values that we have, so, we're supporting them."
Gay rights groups and others answered with calls for boycotts.
Opponents of Cathy's stance have planned "Kiss Mor Chiks" for Friday, asking people of the same sex to show up at Chick-fil-A locations and kiss each other.
