Controversial fast-food giant Chick-fil-A has said it will stop donating to anti-queer lobbying groups. The restaurant has a long and well-documented history of donating to anti-LGBTQ causes.
“There’s no question we know that, as we go into new markets, we need to be clear about who we are,” Tim Tassopoulos, COO of Chick-fil-A told the website Bisnow. “There are lots of articles and newscasts about Chick-fil-A, and we thought we needed to be clear about our message.”
Related: Did Popeyes beat Chick-fil-A at their own game?
For years, that message has been one of hostility to LGBTQ people. Chick-fil-A has made large donations to groups like the Salvation Army, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and the Paul Anderson Youth Home–all of which have anti-queer positions and policies. These donations, along with anti-marriage equality comments by CEO Dan Cathy, have stigmatized the eatery in the eyes of the public. Earlier this year, several airports denied Chick-fil-A applications to open new restaurant locations in their facilities, citing the business’ history of homophobia.
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“When there is a tension, we want to make sure we’re being clear. We think this is going to be helpful,” Tassopoulos added. “It’s just the right thing to do: to be clear, caring, and supportive and do it in the community.”
According to Tassopoulos, the new policy will go into effect beginning next year. Thus far, Chick-fil-A has yet to issue an official company statement.
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Cam
They have lied about this twice before. They just lost a store in England because of their support of bigotry, and violent anti-LGBT laws in other countries, and twice before they have claimed that they would stop supporting those groups.
So this announcement calls attention to the fact that they lied the last time they claimed they were going to stop, and chances are this is just another P.R. lie. Watch they will now funnel all their money to hate groups through the Chik Fil Et foundation rather than directly through the corporation.
Chrisk
Wow. I can’t believe what your implying. You’re telling me that a Christian place would lie to people? Tell me it ain’t so. Lol
Cam
@Chrisk
I KNOW right?! 😉
PLAYS WELL WITH OTHERS
Actions speak louder than words….
Chik-Fil-A-Hates smcubag CEO Dan Cathy was a guest at the Orange Puppet’s state dinner a few months ago….
chupacabra
shut up fool
Kangol2
@PLAYSWELLWITHOTHERS, you’re right, but they think people too stupid and uninformed to realize Cathy’s all up traitor Drumpf’s homophobic administration’s @ss. Chik Fvck Off!
Roan
Sure, Jan. What a reason. They’re tired of the negative press. Not the negative impact to equality or the dehumanization of LGBTQ people.
Matthewnow
Eat more chicken. OK.
JessPH
Support Popeyes not Chick-fil-A
skywriter
Now I’d like to see them donating to some LGBTQ non profit groups if they are being sincere.
BrokebackBob
This is complete bullshit. They’re just going to do it through a money laundering back channel scheme so we can’t follow the money. I’ve never eaten there and I never will. There is one 5 minutes from my house. God/Jesus I pray and beseech you to bring us a Popeyes ! See what I did there?
jrr
To little to late. I can continue my life without eating at this establishment. They have made it clear their real feelings in the past. I’m sorry they are finding growth to be difficult, but the lgbt community finds it hard to survive everyday in the world. No to this chicken sh-t.
chupacabra
it;’s because popeye’s chicken sandwich is better
Brian
These comments are exactly why I wonder why companies like this even bother. Even if they are finally telling the truth about stopping the donations, the damage has been done, their reputation is what it is. It might change a tiny handful of minds, at best. Might as well just stick to your convictions at this point.
JaredMacBride
Given the history of the company, the lack of any specifics in the announcement and the radical beliefs of its owners I think it’s fair to be skeptical.
Cam
The issue is, they’ve lied about it twice before and been caught. The only reason they’re making this claim today is because the one store they tried to open up in England got shut down when people there found out about their anti-LGBT history.
TheMarc
Good, I hope they stick to this stance. A bit of skepticism is definitely warranted; but going full “outrage mode” on an announcement like this is asinine. What do we want then? Why the protests, boycotts, etc.? Is it better if they just say “F’em, we’ll do what we want and keep donating to whoever?”
I sincerely hope they have seen the error of their ways, whatever the reason, and they can perhaps, even transition to a corporate ally and donate to several in-need gay charitable organizations.
Chipper
I did eat at one once. I was not Impressed with their food. To me, its not worth wasting ones time going there.. I have not missed anything. I do not plan changing my mind and going back.
Chipper
I did eat at one once. I was not Impressed with their food. To me, its not worth wasting ones time going there.. I have not missed anything. I do not plan changing my mind and going back.
ryuichi
I do not forgive him, I do not believe him, and I will never eat at his restaurants.
fireman452
I wrote to Cathy in 2010 and his response then was that we do not support any hate groups and have no problem with LGBT groups. He lied then and I have no doubt that this leopard will NEVER change his spots. There are plenty of places to eat out there, I don’t need to fill my stomach with their filth. Movin on.
t
Yeah, no. Not falling for it. The founding owners are conservatives AKA liars and hypocrites so they will still donate to hate groups and anti-LGBTQ organizations but will do their damnest to hide the donations. Conservatism, republicanism is a racket and they will sell their own children if it means they will rake in more profits.
inbama
Of course be suspicious.
It’s as if “Thou shalt not bear false witness” is not in the Evangelical Bible. For them, “faith” is a license to lie. And it’s that thinking that paved the way for Trump and covers his ass.
QJ201
But will CFA still impose its religious values on its franchises and require that stores are closed on Sunday.
so funny to see ONE store closed in the mall food court on Sunday.
Guess those Popeye sandwiches got to them.
djmcgamester
I hope they go through with it. As for reasons why, who cares? Why are we quibbling about something that helps us? Would you rather they continue on as they were? Lots of pro-LGBT change comes as a result of pressure, financially or otherwise. I wouldn’t assume much of it is out of love for us. Let’s take it and move on.
bambamboom777
They already made similar statements in the past so I’m not sure why they keep coming back and saying, “this time we really mean it, guys.” For many people they’ve been so linked to being anti-gay that it’s going to take a lot more than just a promise to stop donating to homophobic hate groups before minds will be changed. How about doing something proactive to promote tolerance and make a statement against homophobia. Perhaps donate to some gay rights organizations or run advertisements featuring same-sex couples and gay families or sponsoring some gay pride events? If they really want to change minds and show that they’ve evolved then that would be the way to do it. Simply saying that we’re no longer donating to hate groups that are out to destroy your lives so now it’s all good and you can give us your money is not enough. Millions of homophobes that went to eat at Chik-fil-A on that infamous show your hatred of the lgbtq community day still see that restaurant as an anti-gay symbol and proudly spend their money there just to make a statement. Personally, I would find it difficult to walk in there and spend money knowing that some of the other customers are there largely because they see their patronage as making an anti-gay. Whether or not there is some tangible financial benefit to these hate organizations is not the only issue. It’s a good start, but it’s hardly enough to erase the damage that was done in the past.
radiooutmike
I love that Mike Huckabee is very upset about this.
Those hateful gay groups beating up on a poor old chicken shop.
one more thing
Why does the media have to talk about Chick-fil-A so much? Just don’t eat there! See how easy that was, next!
dustashed
Jollibee is better
JanDivine
We need to wait and see what they really do. I don’t trust them. I would like to go to a Chic-fil-A but I certainly can live without ’em.