A school in New Orleans turned down a free Chick-fil-A lunch offered to teachers. The chain is well-known for its regular donations to anti-LGBTQ+ organizations, including groups that oppose gay marriage.
Dr. Steven Corbett, the principal of Lusher High School, said that Chick-fil-A’s values simply don’t align with the school’s.
“Out of respect to our LGBTQ staff, we have chosen to not serve Chick-Fil-A at an employee lunch,” Corbett said in a statement. “The #1 rule at Lusher is to ‘Be Kind’ and we live this motto every day. Chick-Fil-A has been politically outspoken about its views, and we feel it is not part of Lusher’s culture of kindness and community.”
The free meals were a gift from the College Football Playoff Foundation to thank the community for hosting the Sugar Bowl and the College Football Championship. Tony Fay, a representative with the CFPF, said that he respects Corbett’s decision and will bring the teachers food from another restaurant. He’s just “glad teachers will have a good lunch tomorrow.”
Chick-fil-A’s continuous anti-LGBTQ+ donations have added up to millions of dollars over the years. The company’s chairman and CEO Dan Cathy also spoke out against marriage equality in 2012. Some politicians and advocates have attempted to block the chain from expanding in certain areas. However, it is poised to become the third-largest fast-food chain in the country after McDonalds and Starbucks.
What Do You Think?