Chick-fil-A is standing by its anti-gay stance…so far.
The Atlanta company is known for its claim of inventing the chicken sandwich and for an iconic advertising campaign featuring spotted cows encouraging us all to “eat more chikin.” Well, apparently that message is only some of us. With its recent comments from its president, the fast-food chain could be setting itself up as a target for boycott from LBGT groups and supporters.
Chick-fil-A Inc. recently came under fire for its million of dollars of donations to anti-gay Christian organizations, but the Atlanta-based chain’s president isn’t backing down.
The Atlanta Business Chronicle reports that Dan Cathy, son of founder S. Truett Cathy and Chick-fil-A president, told the Baptist Press earlier this week the company stands “guilty as charged” for its stand on biblical and family values. Chick-fil-A is known for its family-friendly atmosphere, customer service and respecting the Sabbath by not opening.
“We are very much supportive of the family — the biblical definition of the family unit,” he told the publication. “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”
The article did not go unnoticed by a variety of left-leaning publications, such as The Huffington Post, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) advocates and bloggers.
Earlier in July, Business Insider said an analysis of its donations by Equality Matters found the chain’s donation of $2 million to anti-gay groups eclipsed money given by other companies.
“These contributions compound the estimated $5 million in donations Chick-fil-A made to anti-gay groups between 2003 and 2010,” the report noted.
Chick-fil-A’s strong stand on Christian and family values has not hurt its business. It recently was named the No. 10 fastest growing American retailer with sales at its 1,615 stores having jumped 13.1 percent to $4 billion in 2011.
