The row over the US fast food chain Chick-fil-A due to its support for traditional marriage continues to grow with gay rights campaigners declaring they plan a “kiss in” at various outlets of the chain.

However, supporters of the chain are flocking to its restaurants in solidarity, with long queues forming outside some branches.

After the founder of Chick-fil-A declared his support for traditional marriage, the mayors of Chicago, Boston and San Francisco said that the company was not welcome in their cities.

Supporters of traditional marriage said the reaction to the remarks of the founder were further proof that support for man/woman marriage will be seen as a form of bigotry to be outlawed if same-sex marriage becomes legal across the US.

Supporters of same-sex marriage are have organised “kiss-ins” outside of Chick-fil-A restaurants from Dallas to New York City to celebrate National Same-Sex Kiss Day.

Herndon Graddick, president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation denied that protesters were trying to silence the company.  

He said that the plan was to “bring attention to exactly what it is that this company stands for and showing how a growing majority of Americans support their LGBT friends and family members”.

Meanwhile on Wednesday, the owner of a franchise for Wendy’s, a rival fast-food chain took the unusual stance of posting signs of support for Chick-fil-A.

Jim Furman, CEO of Tar Heel Capital, confirmed to a local radio station in South Carolina that his company put up messages such as “We stand with Chick-fil-A” outside Wendy’s restaurants Wednesday. He said he didn’t know how many signs were posted.

Many other groups and politicians have brought Cathy’s comments into the ongoing debate over same-sex marriage.  

Chick-fil-A issued a statement three days after Cathy’s comments: “Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.” Yet the company remains in the headlines.

The National Organisation for Marriage, which opposes same-sex marriage, urged a boycott when General Mills and Starbucks came out in favor of same-sex marriage.