Chick-fil-A Fails to Live Up to Promises of Stricter Donation Guidelines
The Human Rights Campaign – the America’s largest lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights organisation – is condemning Chick-fil-A for continuing to actively raise money for anti-LGBT organisations like the Marriage and Family Foundation.
The Advocate is reporting that Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy tweeted a photo from an event raising funds for the anti-LGBT group on Tuesday – the very same day that news broke of the fast food chain’s apparent decision to no longer financially support groups that promote discrimination.
“Chick-fil-A can’t claim to be turning over a new leaf while simultaneously funnelling thousands of dollars towards a group that does not acknowledge the dignity and respect of LGBT people,” said HRC Vice President of Communications Fred Sainz. “Chick-fil-A and the WinShape Foundation are at a turning point and face a fundamental question: will they continue actively using customer dollars to support groups that demonise LGBT people, or will they once and for all act like a responsible business and stop supporting discrimination?
“This issue is not – nor has it ever been about – whether a particular organisation supports marriage equality. It is about the fact that Dan Cathy’s personal views are leading to corporate dollars being used to prop up groups that demonise and spread malicious falsehoods about LGBT people. Americans can agree upon the values that make our country great – fairness, respect, and dignity for all. There are a number of organisations that work to promote these types of values. Unfortunately, Chick-fil-A is continuing to support organisations that do not reflect mainstream American values.”
In addition to being out-of-step with most Americans, Chick-fil-A’s current anti-LGBT donations are simply bad for business – and this summer’s earlier controversy adversely impacted their brand. According to According to YouGov’s BrandIndex, Chick-fil-A’s perception with consumers dropped from a 65– nearly 20 points above the national average for other fast food chains – to a 39 in the week after Dan Cathy’s proud and very public embrace of his company’s anti-LGBT practices. Learn more at www.hrc.org/chickfila.
The Human Rights Campaign is America’s largest civil rights organisation working to achieve lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality. By inspiring and engaging all Americans, HRC strives to end discrimination against LGBT citizens and realise a nation that achieves fundamental fairness and equality for all.