Same-Sex Marriage Controversy
Chick-fil-A found itself at the center of public controversy in June and July of 2012. The controversy was caused by belittling comments made by the company’s Chief Operating Officer, Dan T. Cathy, about same-sex marriage. He made several public statements about same-sex marriage, saying that those who “have the audacity to define what marriage is about” were “inviting God’s judgment on our nation”. Several well-known politicians were quick to express their disapproval. Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and Chicago Mayor Alderman Proco Moreno said that they hoped to block franchise expansion into their areas. The proposed bans drew criticism from liberal pundits, legal experts, and the American Civil Liberties Union.
The Jim Henson Company, which had a Pajanimals kids’ meal toy licensing arrangement with Chick-fil-A, said it would cease its business relationship, and donate the payment to the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation. Chick-fil-A stopped distributing the toys, claiming that unrelated safety concerns had arisen before the controversy. The company released a statement on July 31, 2012, stating, “We are a restaurant company focused on food, service, and hospitality; our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.”
Response
In response to the controversy, former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee initiated a Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day movement to counter a boycott of Chick-fil-A launched by same-sex marriage activists. The United States Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) also responded to two cities, Buffalo, NY, and San Antonio, TX, that were preventing Chick-fil-A from opening restaurants in their international airport. According to an FAA statement, “The FAA notes that Federal requirements prohibit airport operators from excluding persons on the basis of religious creed from participating in airport activities that receive or benefit from FAA grant funding. The findings of the investigations will be communicated to the complainants once the investigations are completed.”
Later Events
- In September 2012, the Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA) announced that Chick-fil-A had “ceased donating to organizations that promote discrimination, specifically against LGBT civil rights”. This change in policy was not confirmed by Chick-fil-A officials. Officials from Chick-fil-A did state in an internal document that they “will treat every person equally, regardless of sexual orientation”. In a letter from Chick-fil-A’s Senior Director of Real Estate, the company states, “The WinShape Foundation is now taking a much closer look at the organizations it considers helping, and in that process will remain true to its stated philosophy of not supporting organizations with political agendas.”
- As of April 2018, Chick-fil-A reportedly continued to donate to the Fellowship of Christian Atheletes, which oposes gay marriage and requires student volunteers to abstain from homosexual activity
- In a November 18, 2019 interview, Chick-fil-A president Tim Tassopoulos said that the company would stop donating to The Salvation Army as well as the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, two charities that have been criticized by LGBT advocates. This sparked criticism from conservative Christians who accused the company of betraying both its values and customers. The company instead intends to donate to other charities that are focused on education, homelessness, and hunger. Later that day; however, Chick-fil-A would not clarify whether it intended to stop donating to anti-LGBT causes.
Chick-Fil-A: The Epitome of American Exceptionalism 