A Bronx pastor is throwing his support behind Chick-fil-A as the fast-food chain comes under fire for its opposition to gay marriage.

Many lawmakers have been fighting to close the business after the company's president spoke out against same-sex marriage, but Pastor Joe Fletcher, of the Bronx Bible Church, says he favors freedom of speech.

City Council Speaker Christine Quinn has launched a petition to get Chick-fil-A kicked out of the city. The mayors of Boston and Chicago have announced that the chain is not welcome in their cities, but Mayor Michael Bloomberg said it would be inappropriate to close the city's one location based on its personal views.