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2012 Chick-fil-A same-sex marriage controversy

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In the summer of 2012, Wikipedia:Chick-fil-A, an American fast-food chain, was the focus of controversy following a series of public comments made by Wikipedia:Dan Cathy, the company's Wikipedia:Chief operating officer, opposing Wikipedia:same-sex marriage. This followed reports that Chick-fil-A's charitable endeavor, the Wikipedia:S. Truett Cathy-family-operated Wikipedia:WinShape Foundation, had made millions in donations to Wikipedia:anti-LGBT organizations. LGBT rights activists called for protests and Wikipedia:boycotts of the chain, while counter-protestors rallied in support by eating at the restaurants. National political figures both for and against the chain's actions spoke out and some business partners severed ties with the chain.

Chick-fil-A released a statement in July 2012 stating, "Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena."[1][2]

Financial contributions to groups opposed to LGBT rights[edit]

In January 2011, the media reported that the American fast food restaurant chain Wikipedia:Chick-fil-A was co-sponsoring a marriage conference along with the Pennsylvania Family Institute (PFI), an organization that had filed an amicus brief against the trial ruling striking down Wikipedia:Proposition 8 in California (see Wikipedia:Perry v. Brown).[3][4][5][6][7] PFI had also lobbied against a state effort to ban discrimination in Pennsylvania on the basis of sexual orientation (WP) or Wikipedia:gender identity.[8] Responding on its official company Facebook (WP) page, Chick-fil-A said that support of the PFI retreat had come from a local franchisee, stating "We have determined that one of our independent restaurant operators in Pennsylvania was asked to provide sandwiches to two Art of Marriage video seminars."[9]

The WinShape Foundation, a charitable endeavor of Chick-fil-A and its founder S. Truett Cathy and his family, stated it would not allow same-sex couples to participate in its marriage retreats.[10][11] Chick-fil-A gave over $8 million to the WinShape Foundation in 2010.[12] Wikipedia:Equality Matters, a LGBT watchdog group, published reports of donations by WinShape to various organizations that they consider to be anti-gay, including $2 million in 2009. Since 2003, Chick-fil-A has made about $5 million of donations via WinShape to groups that oppose same sex-marriage. $1.9 million of this was donated in 2010 to groups including the Family Research Council and Marriage & Family Foundation. Winshape has also written checks to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Exodus International, the later noted for supporting "ex-gay" conversion therapy.[13] The Marriage & Family Legacy Fund, received $994,199.[14] In 2010, the Marriage and Family Foundation received $1,188,380, while the Family Research Council received $1000.[15][16][17] The Family Research Council was listed as an anti-gay hate group by the Wikipedia:Southern Poverty Law Center in Winter 2010.[18][19][20][21][22]

2012 statements by COO Dan Cathy[edit]

On June 16, while on the syndicated radio talk show, The Ken Coleman Show, Chick-fil-A President and Wikipedia:Chief operating officer (COO) Dan Cathy made what was seen as an inflammatory statement. Cathy stated:
"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'. I pray God's mercy on our generation that has such a prideful, arrogant attitude to think that we have the audacity to define what marriage is about."[23][24][25]

On July 2, Wikipedia:Biblical Recorder published an interview with Dan Cathy, who was asked about opposition to his company's "support of the traditional family." He replied: "Well, guilty as charged."[26][27] Cathy continued:

"We are very much supportive of the family â€” the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that. ... We want to do anything we possibly can to strengthen families. We are very much committed to that," Cathy emphasized.

""We intend to stay the course," he said. "We know that it might not be popular with everyone, but thank the Lord, we live in a country where we can share our values and operate on biblical principles."[26]

Opposition[edit]

After these interviews, Wikipedia:Thomas Menino, the Mayor of Wikipedia:Boston, stated that he would not allow the company to open franchises in the city "unless they open up their policies.”[28] Menino subsequently wrote a letter to Dan Cathy, citing Cathy's earlier statement on The Ken Coleman Show and responded: "We are indeed full of pride for our support of same sex marriage and our work to expand freedom for all people."[29] In Chicago, alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno announced his determination to block Chick-fil-A's bid to build a second store in the city: "They'd have to do a complete 180", Moreno said in outlining conditions under which he would retract the block. "They'd have to work with Wikipedia:LGBT groups in terms of hiring, and there would have to be a public apology from [Cathy]."[30]

Moreno received backing from Chicago's Mayor, Wikipedia:Rahm Emanuel: "Chick-fil-A values are not Chicago values", Emanuel said in a statement. "They disrespect our fellow neighbors and residents. This would be a bad investment, since it would be empty."[30] Wikipedia:San Francisco soon followed suit on July 26 when mayor Wikipedia:Edwin M. Lee tweeted, "Very disappointed #ChickFilA doesn't share San Francisco's values & strong commitment to equality for everyone." Lee followed that tweet with "Closest #ChickFilA to San Francisco is 40 miles away & I strongly recommend that they not try to come any closer."[31]

The proposed bans in Boston and Chicago drew criticism from liberal pundits, legal experts and the Wikipedia:American Civil Liberties Union. Wikipedia:Kevin Drum of Mother Jones magazine said "[T]here's really no excuse for Emanuel's and Menino's actions... you don't hand out business licenses based on whether you agree with the political views of the executives. Not in America, anyway."[32] Wikipedia:UCLA law professor and blogger Wikipedia:Eugene Volokh observed, "[D]enying a private business permits because of such speech by its owner is a blatant First Amendment violation."[33] Echoing those views were Wikipedia:Glenn Greenwald of Salon, professor John Turley of Wikipedia:George Washington University, Adam Schwartz, a senior attorney with the ACLU and Michael C. Dorf, the Robert S. Stevens Professor of Law at Cornell University Law School.[34][35]

In response to the July 2 interview, the Wikipedia:Jim Henson Company, which had entered its Wikipedia:Pajanimals in a kids' meal toy licensing arrangement in 2011, said that it would cease its business relationship with Chick-fil-A, and donate payment for the brand to Wikipedia:Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD).[20][36][37][38] Citing safety concerns, Chick-fil-A stopped distributing the toys.[39] A spokeswoman stated the decision had been made July 19 and was unrelated to the controversy.[40]

Students at several colleges and universities launched grassroots efforts to ban or remove the company's restaurants from their campuses. On November 3, 2011, the Wikipedia:New York University Student Senators Council voted 19 to 4 to retain the Chick-fil-A franchise on campus. This vote came before a petition with over 11,000 signatures opposing its presence on campus was sent to the student council.[41] On February 28, 2012, the Wikipedia:Northeastern University (NU) student senate passed a resolution to cancel plans for a Chick-fil-A franchise on campus, stating that "the student body does not support bringing CFA [Chick-fil-A] to campus", and "Student concerns reflected CFA's history of donating to anti-gay organizations." The vote was 31 to 5, with 8 abstaining. The restaurant chain was finalizing a contract to bring it to NU when students protested.[42]

Other forms of protest occurred. Gay rights activists organized a "Kiss Off" to occur on August 3,[43] an event where LGBT individuals would show affection in public,[44] however it attracted smaller than hoped for crowds.[45]

Support[edit]

In response to the controversy, former Arkansas Governor Wikipedia:Mike Huckabee initiated a Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day movement to counter a boycott of Chick-fil-A launched by gay marriage activists.[46][47][48] More than 600,000 people RSVPed on Wikipedia:Facebook for Huckabee's appreciation event.[47]

On August 1, Chick-fil-A restaurants experienced a large show of public support across the nation with the company reporting record-breaking sales.[46][47][48]

Other notable public figures have came to Chick-fil-A's defense including former Alaska Governor Wikipedia:Sarah Palin,[49] former US Senator Wikipedia:Rick Santorum,[50] New York Mayor Wikipedia:Michael Bloomberg[51] and Wikipedia:Ann Coulter.[52]

References[edit]

  1. ↑ Robinson, Steve (July 31, 2012). Chick-fil-A Response to Recent Controversy. Retrieved August 5, 2012
  2. ↑ Chick-fil-A FAQs: Current News. Retrieved August 5, 2012
  3. ↑ January 31, 2011. Chick-fil-A defends its values. Atlanta Business Chronicle. URL accessed on July 29, 2012.
  4. ↑ If you're currently eating a Chick-fil-A... — Good As You:: Gay and Lesbian Activism With a Sense of Humor. Good As You. URL accessed on 2011-06-27.
  5. ↑ duy. Metro Weekly. Metro Weekly. URL accessed on 2011-06-27.
  6. ↑ Pennsylvania Family Institute Mission Statement. Pafamily.org. URL accessed on 2011-06-27.
  7. ↑ Ocamb, Karen Evaluating the amicus brief avalanche of anti-gay opposition to the Prop 8 trial decision. Prop8TrialTracker.Com. URL accessed on July 19, 2012.
  8. ↑ Scolforo, Mark (December 23, 2010). "Without state law, Pa. towns tackle anti-gay bias". Wikipedia:Delaware County Daily Times. Wikipedia:Associated Press. http://www.delcotimes.com/articles/2010/12/23/news/doc4d13af7c9caf8699498675.txt. </li>
  9. ↑ Chick-fil-A Facebook Page. Facebook. URL accessed on 2012-03-23.
  10. ↑ McWhirter, Cameron (July 27, 2012). "Chick-fil-A's Long Christian Heritage". Wikipedia:The Wall Street Journal. http://professional.wsj.com/article/SB10000872396390444840104577553341868014390.html?mg=reno64-wsj. Retrieved July 31, 2012. </li>
  11. ↑ Jones, Michael Yes, Chick-fil-A Says, We Explicitly Do Not Like Same-Sex Couples. Change.Org. URL accessed on December 2, 2011.Template:Verify credibility
  12. ↑ (2010). Form 990-PF: Return of Private Foundation. (pdf) WinShape Foundation, Inc.. Guidestar.
  13. ↑ O'Connor, Clare Meet The Cathys: Your Guide To The Billionaires Behind Chick-fil-A. The billionaire beat: wealth, entrepreneurs and money in politics.. Forbes. URL accessed on 7 August 2012.
  14. ↑ Chick-Fil-A Fast Food Chain Donated Nearly $2 Million To Anti-Gay Groups In 2009. November 1, 2011. Huffington Post. URL accessed on 5 August 2012.
  15. ↑ Devaney, Tim; Stein, Tom (November 8, 2011). "Chick-fil-A Increases Donations to Anti-Gay Groups". Wikipedia:AllBusiness.com. http://www.allbusiness.com/franchising/16713835-1.html. </li>
  16. ↑ Winters, Rosemary (November 10, 2011). "Sugar House protesters say Chick-fil-A is anti-gay". Wikipedia:The Salt Lake Tribune. http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/sports/52888536-78/gay-chick-family-fil.html.csp. </li>
  17. ↑ Michelson, Noah (November 1, 2011). "Chick-Fil-A Fast Food Chain Donated Nearly $2 Million To Anti-Gay Groups In 2009". Wikipedia:The Huffington Post. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/11/01/chick-fil-a-donated-anti-gay-groups-2009_n_1069429.html. </li>
  18. ↑ [1]
  19. ↑ Chick-fil-A Anti-Gay Controversy: Gay Employees Speak Out
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 Ward, Alex (July 23, 2012). "The Muppets cut ties with Chick-Fil-A restaurant after president's anti-gay marriage comments". Wikipedia:The Daily Mail. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2177807/The-Muppets-Jim-Henderson-company-cut-ties-Chick-Fil-A-restaurant-presidents-anti-gay-marriage-comments.html#ixzz21a3n5VIH. Retrieved 2012-07-24. </li>
  21. ↑ Chick-Fil-A Donated Nearly $2 Million To Anti-Gay Groups In 2010. Equality Matters.
  22. ↑ Boucly, Chris (July 24, 2012). "Gay youths plan protest against Chick-fil-A". The Orange County Register. http://www.ocregister.com/news/family-365324-chick-fil.html. Retrieved July 26, 2012. "$3.84 million was contributed primarily to Christian organizations such as Marriage and Family Foundation, which received $1.18 million, and Family Research Council, which received $1,000. The Family Research Council "believes that homosexual conduct is harmful to the persons who engage in it and to society at large," according to its Web site. The Marriage and Family Foundation, whose chairman is Chick-fil-A senior vice president Donald M. "Bubba" Cathy, gave grants totaling $639,000 to six organizations that support strong traditional marriages and families." </li>
  23. ↑ Starnes, Todd (July 25, 2012). "Rahm: "Chick-fil-A Values Are Not Chicago Values"". Fox News Radio. http://radio.foxnews.com/toddstarnes/top-stories/cities-move-to-ban-chick-fil-a-supporters-launch-day-of-support.html. Retrieved 26 July 2012. </li>
  24. ↑ Collier, Myles (July 18, 2012). "Chick-fil-A President Says 'God's Judgment' Coming Because of Same-Sex Marriage". The Christian Post. http://www.christianpost.com/news/chick-fil-a-president-says-gods-judgment-coming-because-of-same-sex-marriage-78485/#SUuZKIURo5MhCW2p.99. Retrieved 26 July 2012. </li>
  25. ↑ "What Dan Cathy said". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. July 26, 2012. http://www.ajc.com/business/what-dan-cathy-said-1484986.html. Retrieved 28 July 2012. </li>
  26. ↑ 26.0 26.1 Blume, K. Allan (2 July 2012). "‘Guilty as charged,’ Dan Cathy says of Chick-fil-A’s stand on faith". Biblical Recorder. North Carolina Baptist State Convention (Cary, NC). http://www.brnow.org/News/July-2012/%E2%80%98Guilty-as-charged,%E2%80%99-Dan-Cathy-says-of-Chick-fil-A. Retrieved 22 July 2012. ""as an organization we can operate on biblical principles."" </li>
  27. ↑ Hsu, Tiffany (July 18, 2012). "Is Chick-fil-A anti-gay marriage? 'Guilty as charged,' leader says". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-chick-fil-a-gay-20120718,0,3020372.story. Retrieved 19 July 2012. </li>
  28. ↑ Turner, Greg (July 20, 2012). "Mayor Menino on Chick-fil-A: Stuff it". The Boston Herald. http://www.bostonherald.com/news/regional/view.bg?articleid=1061147182&srvc=home&position=emailed. Retrieved July 21, 2012. "Chick-fil-A doesn’t belong in Boston. You can’t have a business in the city of Boston that discriminates against a population. We’re an open city, we’re a city that’s at the forefront of inclusion... That’s the Freedom Trail. That’s where it all started right here. And we’re not going to have a company, Chick-fil-A or whatever the hell the name is, on our Freedom Trail." </li>
  29. ↑ "Mayor's letter to Chick-fil-A". The Boston Herald. July 20, 2012. http://bostonherald.com/news/document.bg?f=misc/Chick-fil-A-1&h=Mayor%27s%20letter%20to%20Chick-fil-A&p=&k=bh. Retrieved July 26, 2012. </li>
  30. ↑ 30.0 30.1 Dardick, Hal (July 25, 2012). "Alderman to Chick-fil-A: No deal". Chicago Tribune. http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/breaking/ct-met-chicago-chick-fil-a-20120725,0,929023.story. Retrieved July 26, 2012. </li>
  31. ↑ Lopez, Ricardo (July 26, 2012). "San Francisco is the third city to tell Chick-fil-A: Keep out". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/business/money/la-fi-mo-san-franciso-mayor-to-chickfila-keep-out-20120726,0,4169780.story. Retrieved 26 July 2012. </li>
  32. ↑ Drum, Kevin (July 26, 2012). "Rahm Emanuel Needs to Back Off on Chick-fil-A". Mother Jones. http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2012/07/rahm-emanuel-needs-back-chick-fil. Retrieved July 26, 2012. </li>
  33. ↑ McClelland, Edward. Conservatives and Liberals Defend Chick-fil-A. Ward Room. URL accessed on July 26, 2012.
  34. ↑ Miller, Joshua Rhett. Legal eagles cry fowl over politicians' plans to block Chick-fil-A. Fox News. URL accessed on July 26, 2012.
  35. ↑ Dorf, Michael C.. Why the Chick-fil-A Controversy Raises Tough Questions About Government Power to Regulate Business Based on Owners’ Political Spending. Verdict. URL accessed on August 4, 2012.
  36. ↑ Rose, Annie (July 25, 2012). "Chick-fil-A Backlash: Politicians, Muppets Respond". ABC News Video. http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/video/chick-fil-backlash-politicians-muppets-respond-16857916. Retrieved July 28, 2012. </li>
  37. ↑ Lendon, Brad (July 24, 2012). "Henson, Huckabee take sides in Chick-fil-A same-sex marriage controversy". CNN.com. http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2012/07/24/muppets-huckabee-take-sides-in-chick-fil-a-same-sex-marriage-controversy/?hpt=hp_c3. Retrieved July 28, 2012. </li>
  38. ↑ Hsu, Tiffany (28 July 2012). "Chick-fil-A's PR chief dies suddenly amid gay-marriage imbroglio". Los Angeles Times. http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-chick-fil-a-20120728,0,765557.story. Retrieved 28 July 2012. </li>
  39. ↑ Chick-fil-A Contact Us. URL accessed on July 30, 2012.
  40. ↑ Curtis Wong. Chick-Fil-A Recalling Jim Henson Kids' Meal Toys As Partnership Severed Over Anti-Gay Donations. Wikipedia:The Huffington Post, 07/24/2012
  41. ↑ NYU Decided To Keep "Homophobic" Chick-fil-A Long Before Petition Launched.
  42. ↑ Rocheleau, Matt (February 28, 2012). "Northeastern cancels Chick-fil-A plans after student group denounces chain". Boston Globe. http://articles.boston.com/2012-02-28/yourtown/31108665_1_student-newspaper-student-center-student-concerns. Retrieved 19 July 2012. </li>
  43. ↑ Lauren Williams; Ruben Vives; Rosanna Xia (4 August 2012). "Chick-fil-A 'Kiss in' protest small compared to appreciation day". Wikipedia:Los Angeles Times. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/08/chick-fil-a-kiss-in-protest-small-compared-to-appreciation-day.html. Retrieved 4 August 2012. </li>
  44. ↑ Matthew T. Hall (3 August 2012). "Hall: Gay-rights supporters kiss in, kiss off Chick-fil-A". Wikipedia:San Diego Union Tribune. http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2012/aug/03/gay-rights-supporters-kiss-in-kiss-off-chick-fil-/. Retrieved 4 August 2012. </li>
  45. ↑ Peyser, Andrea (4 August 2012). "Chicken lips are scarce: Great gay kiss-off lays a gigantic egg". Wikipedia:New York Post. http://www.nypost.com/p/news/local/chicken_lips_are_scarce_YjYD7gxNbcBd4WhzBWcJgN. Retrieved 4 August 2012. </li>
  46. ↑ 46.0 46.1 http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/OTUS/chick-fil-supporters-gather-appreciation-day/story?id=16904664#.UBnyts3Nmw8
  47. ↑ 47.0 47.1 47.2 http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-chick-fil-a-day-20120802,0,1647505.story
  48. ↑ 48.0 48.1 http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/us-news-blog/2012/aug/01/chick-fil-a-appreciation-day
  49. ↑ Wing, Nick Getting 'Crucified,' Boycott Has 'Chilling Effect' On First Amendment. The Huffington Post. URL accessed on 5 August 2012.
  50. ↑ Wing, Nick Rick Santorum, Chick-Fil-A Champion, Joins Mike Huckabee In Supporting Fast Food Chain. The Huffington Post. URL accessed on 5 August 2012.
  51. ↑ Wing, Nick Bloomberg: Chick-Fil-A Has Rights To Its Own Views On Same-Sex Marriage, Like The Catholic Church. The Huffington Post. URL accessed on 5 August 2012.
  52. ↑ Horowitz, Alana Ann Coulter: Chick-Fil-A Anti-Gay Stance 'Not An Anti-Gay Thing'. The Huffington Post. URL accessed on 5 August 2012.

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