This week, Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy reiterated the family-owned fast-food chain’s ongoing support of anti-gay causes and organizations. GO previously reported the company’s donation of $2 million to anti-gay groups like the Family Research Council and Exodus International.
Cathy spoke with a Christian news outlet Monday and boasted about the company’s opposition to same-sex marriage, stating, “we are very much supportive of the family—the biblical definition of the family unit…We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles.”
As reported by ThinkProgress.org, a firestorm erupted. Cathy threw additional fuel on the flames when he followed up his comments on the Ken Coleman Show, a right-leaning syndicated radio program. He warned that God wouldn’t be pleased with our “prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about.”
Sensing the whiff of waffle fries being replaced by bad publicity, Chick-fil-A posted a message on the company Facebook page this morning distancing the chain from its leader’s statements:
“The Chick-fil-A 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. We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 restaurants run by independent owner/operators. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.
Chick-fil-A is a family-owned and family-led company serving the communities in which it operates. From the day Truett Cathy started the company, he began applying biblically-based principles to managing his business. For example, we believe that closing on Sundays, operating debt-free and devoting a percentage of our profits back to our communities are what make us a stronger company and Chick-fil-A family.”
The statement did not indicate whether the company would continue to financially support organizations like Family Research Council, which vehemently opposes LGBT rights.
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