Chick-fil-A, you’ve been caught. A March 20th ThinkProgress report states that, in 2017, fast food chain Chick-fil-A donated more than $1.8 billion to three anti-LGBTQ groups. This unearthing comes years after the company stated via Facebook in 2012 that it would “leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.” Huh. Sure.
2012 was a bad year for Chick-fil-A. That year, CEO Dan Cathy spouted that the United States is “inviting God’s judgment on our nation when we shake our fist at him and say we know better than you as to what constitutes a marriage.”
Outraged, the public then tuned in to the company’s lackluster/non-existent policies to protect employees against discrimination on the basis of gender identity and sexual orientation. In its 2012 annual buyers guide, the Human Rights Campaign gave Chick-fil-A a zero rating, as ThinkProgress reports.
And when pressed about Chick-fil-A’s queer-phobic stance, Cathy retorted, “Well, guilty as charged.” Our skin is crawling.
Despite all this negative press, which spurred an unceasing boycott against the company, Chick-fil-A began to wiggle its way back into the public’s good graces. Cathy’s attitude seemed to shift and he had even sparked positive relationships with LGBTQ activists and equality leaders.
But, all good things must come to an end.
Chick-fil-A downplayed its anti-LGBTQ agenda. Tax filings prove it's still business as usual. https://t.co/pn875VpvFe pic.twitter.com/a1bQ8mgTy2
— ThinkProgress (@thinkprogress) March 20, 2019
Newly released tax filings from 2017 show that Chick-fil-A gave $1,653,416 to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, $6,000 to the Paul Anderson Youth Home, and $150,000 to the Salvation Army.
In fact, as ThinkProgress notes, this donation sum is actually greater than that of the prior year’s.
Dear Chick-Fil-A, pic.twitter.com/f0y4SRBCK4
— McSweats_213 (@raythatsme2) March 20, 2019
And it’s not like Chick-fil-A didn’t know these groups were anti-LGBTQ.
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes actively spreads an anti-LGBTQ message to Christian college athletes. Employees are also expected to strictly adhere to a “sexual purity” that bans any “homosexual acts.”
Paul Anderson Youth Home, which houses troubled youths, teaches their male residents that homosexuality is a sin and same-sex marriage is “rage against Jesus Christ and His values,” ThinkProgress reports.
Chick-fil-A has also been a long-time supporter of Salvation Army, which has historically opposed legal protections for LGBTQ American citizens.
However, the organization has recently updated policy to include a non-discrimination based on gender identity and sexual orientation clause.
Chick-fil-A Inc. told ThinkProgress on March 19th, “In 2017, a decision was made by the Chick-fil-A Foundation to no longer donate to the group after a blog post from 2010 surfaced that does not meet Chick-fil-A’s commitment to creating a welcoming environment to all.”
But the company never parted ways with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes or Salvation Army. According to Chick-fil-A, this is because the company’s donations to these organizations went toward “youth and education” programs.
“We have never donated with the purpose of supporting a social or political agenda,” a spokesperson told ThinkProgress.
“There are 140,000 people — black, white; gay, straight; Christian, non-Christian — who represent Chick-fil-A. We are the sum of many experiences, but what we all have in common is a commitment to providing great food, genuine hospitality, and a welcoming environment to all of our guests.”
Hm. Okay.
This recent enlightenment to Chick-fil-A’s continuous shady ways has prompted the San Antonio City Council to vote against a previously proposed Chick-fil-A airport concession stand agreement.
“San Antonio is a city full of compassion, and we do not have room in our public facilities for a business with a legacy of anti-LGBTQ behavior,” District 1 Councilman Roberto Treviño said in a statement.
San Antonio removes Chick-fil-A from airport concessions deal over company’s anti-LGBTQ giving https://t.co/Iz9nLjR8Z6 pic.twitter.com/HqeBces6cT
— ThinkProgress (@thinkprogress) March 22, 2019
We can’t say we’re shocked to hear about Chick-fil-A breaking their “promise.” Those at the helm are problematic, and unfortunately, unlikely to change if their business continues to profit.
Unfortunately, Chick-fil-A is truly the guiltiest of pleasures.
gays eating at chick-fil-a pic.twitter.com/AfwjEHIpdy
— char (@brooklynbroke) March 22, 2019
The chain is like the classic bad boy in a rom com (except like, really bad and with only one redeeming quality — the food).
But it’s important we take a step back and choose our morals and good ethics over tasty food. It’s hard, but worth it.
*Nervous laughs* Guys, stop.
Chick fil a can have a sign on the door that says “No niggers allowed” and I’ll just go to the drive thru.
— Joe. (@Fly_Air_Walker) March 22, 2019
Let’s all band together and collectively say, “F-k your chicken strips!” We can do it!
The boycott is something we can all participate in to make a big difference.
Because we are so done with people and corporations who think they can get away with promoting hate.
Ready? Okay, break!
Sorry not sorry, Chick-fil-A.
But we’re tired of your B.S.
