Chick-Fil-A has been taking heat lately for its continued controversial support of anti-LGBTQ organizations. However, news of the fast food chain concerning their decision to sever ties with groups like the Salvation Army, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) and the Paul Anderson Youth Home, all known to be anti-LGBTQ, came on Nov. 18.
According to Bisnow, Chick-Fil-A has donated to more than 300 charitable organizations this year. The decision to not donate to anti-LGBTQ organizations spurs on the heels of widespread protest from the LGBTQ movement.
For instance, Chick-Fil-A’s first international location in Toronto was welcomed with LBGTQ activist protesting Chick-Fil-A’s longstanding support of anti-LGBTQ groups.
The backlash has also consisted of American airports, such as San Antonio International Airport, Buffalo Niagara International Airport and Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport who decided to dissociate with the chicken-focused fast food chain.
Since 2012, Chick-Fil-A has come under fire because of comments about same-sex marriage from CEO Dan Cathy.
Cathy went on the radio show “The Ken Coleman Show” and said: “I think we are 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.’”
According to their federal tax filings in 2012, Chick-Fil-A’s donations to anti-LGBTQ groups dwindled. However, they still donated as much as $3.6 million over time to major anti-LGBTQ organizations such as the Family Research Council, Marriage & Family Foundation, the National Christian Foundation and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
According to the Chick-Fil-A Foundation’s website, Chick-Fil-A donated $1.65 million to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) while donating about $115,00 to the Salvation Army in 2018.
The Salvation Army commented on Chick-Fil-A in a statement, “We’re saddened to learn that a corporate partner has felt it necessary to divert funding to other hunger, education and homelessness organizations — areas in which the Salvation Army, as the largest social services provider in the world, is already fully committed.”
According to the New York Times, the Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) have not commented on Chick-Fil-A’s decision to not donate to their organization
In a statement on Chick-Fil-A’s website, the Chick-Fil-A Foundation “will deepen its giving to a smaller number of organizations working exclusively in the areas of education, homelessness, and hunger.”
Organizations associated with those causes like Junior Achievement USA and Covenant House International will be getting Chick-Fil-A’s donations and support. In addition, Chick-Fil-A will also support “more than 120 communities by dedicating $25,000 to a local food bank at each new Chick-Fil-A opening,” according to the statement on their website.
Students on campus react to Chick-Fil-A’s decision.
“I think that today in the twenty-first century, we should support all LBGTQ rights as more and more people have been able to be open about their sexuality,” said West Chester University student Olivia Diesel.
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) praised Chick-Fil-A’s decision, but were also hesitant about it.
In a statement to CNN, GLAAD director of campaigns Drew Anderson spoke about Chick-Fil-A having more it needs to do for the LGBTQ community. “In addition to refraining from financially supporting anti-LGBTQ organizations, Chick-fil-A still lacks policies to ensure safe workplaces for LGBTQ employees and should unequivocally speak out against the anti-LGBTQ reputation that their brand represents,” Anderson states.
In a statement by Tim Tassopoulos, president and chief operating officer of Chick-fil-A states, “No organization will be excluded from future consideration — faith-based or non-faith-based.” This raises eyebrows as to whether Chick-Fil-A will support anti-LGBTQ organizations in the near future.
Hania Jones is a fourth-year student majoring in English and minoring in journalism. HJ902644@wcupa.edu