Homophobic conservatives can now add Cracker Barrel to the list of businesses they used to support and are now boycotting for being too "woke."
In a plot twist for the ages, the family restaurant and country store chain once known to be anti-LGBTQ+ demonstrated solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community by celebrating Pride month in a social media post.
The familiar storefront facade of one Cracker Barrel location received pops of color with a rainbow rocking chair on its front porch–seen in a photo posted by the company's Facebook page.
Along with the photo was a message of inclusion that read:
"We are excited to celebrate Pride Month with our employees and guests."
"Everyone is always welcome at our table (and our [rainbow emoji] rocker). Happy Pride!"
Cracker Barrel Old Country Store
The photo received many positive reactions, including from one Facebook user who wrote:
"Love that. I’ve always loved Cracker Barrel."
"Love them even more now. It’s a small gesture, but you know what? It’s those small gestures of kindness that matter the most.Thank you Cracker Barrel Old Country Store."
Another said:
"Wonderful news! I've avoided Cracker Barrel for as long as I can remember, not knowing if my family was truly welcome."
"We'll be sure to stop by our local location soon!"
A third wrote:
"This is beautiful. Thank you for you love, acceptance and affirming ALL human beings."
However, many conservative groups like the "pro-family" Texas Family Project raised Hell over Cracker Barrel celebrating families of all kinds.
Suddenly, the alert that "Cracker Barrel has fallen" began circulating online to mock conservative's dramatic reaction.
People rejoiced as Cracker Barrel became a go-to destination for country comfort food where all patrons are welcome.
This isn't the first time Cracker Barrel celebrated Pride and featured rainbow-themed merchandise in their stores.
The Lebanon, Tennessee-based comfort food chain has actually embraced Pride in recent years, which was a complete 180 from its history of scandals, including intolerance and discrimination towards gay employees.
In 1991, Cracker Barrel outright refused to hire workers who were gay, due to a newly implemented HR rule at the time.
The discriminatory policy also led to the firing of nine employees because of their sexual orientation.
Eventually, Cracker Barrel reversed its decision and stated that the subsequent backlash to the controversial policy was a "well-intentioned overreaction to the perceived values of our customers and their comfort levels with these individuals."
Fortunately, times have changed and the company has now adopted policies reflecting diversity, equity and inclusion.
The company currently holds an 80 out of 100 on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index.
