Choking Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A Suddenly Very Wishy-Washy About Its Stance on Gay Marriage

Or does it?
Or does it? Photo: Sandy Mazza/Daily Breeze

So, there’s a new development in the ongoing saga of Chick-fil-A’s politics: A Chicago alderman that had previously opposed a Chick-fil-A location in the Windy City now says he’s cool with the chain’s plans after, according to the Chicago Tribune, it “agreed to include a statement of respect for all sexual orientations in an internal document and promised that its not-for-profit arm would not contribute money to groups that oppose gay marriage.” So, does this mean the chicken chain will actually finally stop supporting groups that oppose same-sex marriage? Maybe, but they certainly aren’t going to be the ones who come right out and say it.

A nonprofit, pro-LGBT group called the Civil Rights Agenda ran with the news, and its executive director issued a press release that says, in part:

I am excited to announce that after months of negotiations, and an international media storm, Chick-Fil-A has confirmed that they will no longer give money to anti-gay organizations. In a letter addressed to Alderman Moreno and signed by Chick-fil-A’s Senior Director of Real Estate, it states, “The WinShape Foundations 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.” In meetings the company executives clarified that they will no longer give to anti-gay organizations, such as Focus on the Family and the National Organization for Marriage.

[…]

Additionally, Chick-fil-A has sent an internal memo to franchisees and stakeholders stating that, as a company, they will “treat every person with honor, dignity and respect — regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation and gender,” and that their “intent is not to engage in political or social debates.” This statement was placed into an official company document called “Chick-fil-A: Who We Are.”

But Chick-fil-A’s sort of been saying for months that they won’t discriminate against potential customers.

However, the chicken chain agreeing to stop supporting anti-gay groups would be big news — if they had any conviction in the move. When BuzzFeed reached out to the company to confirm the Civil Rights Agenda report, a rep reportedly wouldn’t do so. To be fair, the rep apparently didn’t contest the report, either. They simply issued a canned statement:

We have no agenda, policy or position against anyone. We have a 65-year history of providing hospitality for all people and, as a dedicated family business, serving and valuing everyone regardless of their beliefs or opinions.

To us, it seems like they’re saying, in effect, they know they pissed off a whole bunch of people when their CEO took a stance against gay marriage, and now they aren’t about to also piss off all those customers who applauded their original position by publicly going back on it. They just want their chicken sandwiches to stop being so political, okay?

It’s baby steps, we suppose.

Moreno relents, will allow Chick-fil-A [Trib]
Chick-fil-A Ceases Anti-gay Donations  [The Civil Rights Agenda]
Chick-Fil-A Promises Not To Fund “Anti-Gay Groups,” Advocates Claim [BuzzFeed]
Earlier: Chick-fil-A Happy to Sell Chicken to Gay People, Still Supportive of Anti-Gay Causes

Chick-fil-A Suddenly Very Wishy-Washy About Its Stance on Gay Marriage