Chick-fil-A Still Anti-Gay

Despite hopeful overtures, restaurant chain continues to support discriminatory groups

When Chick-fil-A, the [em]broiled chicken sandwich chain, seemed to have renounced its donations to anti-gay organizations like Marriage and Family Foundationlast week, LGBT activists could hardly believe their ears. Could the gay kiss-ins at various Chick-fil-A franchises last August have worked? Not so much, it turns out.

The glimmer of hope surfaced when Chick-fil-A’s management sought to open a second restaurant in the Chicago area. Local lawmakers insisted the company put a nondiscrimination rule in place and stop donating money to anti-gay groups, or the deal was off the table. Rumors swirled that the company had capitulated.

But that wasn’t the case, according to a press release from company headquarters Thursday. In its “response to recent controversy,” the chain said, “a part of our corporate commitment is to be responsible stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. Because of this commitment, Chick-fil-A’s giving heritage is focused on programs that educate youth, strengthen families and enrich marriages, and support communities. We will continue to focus our giving in those areas. Our intent is not to support political or social agendas.”

Executives added that the company’s “culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender.”

 


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