Chick-fil-A has been making headlines over the past several months, and it’s not because of the fast-food chain’s recent Cow Appreciation Day, when customers who wore cow costumes received free grub. Chick-fil-A’s recent attention-grabbing headlines have more to do with politics than poultry.
It started in 2009, when it was revealed that Chick-fil-A made sizable contributions to anti-gay organizations. Most recently this position on the sensitive subject led the Jim Henson Company to withdraw its partnership with the brand. Additionally, multiple cities have promised to ban locations from opening and celebrities and politicians have spoken out in support and in opposition of the fried chicken chain. How did it escalate? Here’s a timeline of events to get you caught up:
2009: Chick-fil-A Donates Nearly $2 Million to Anti-Gay Groups
While this news didn’t reach the newspapers until the end of 2011, EqualityMatters.org reported that Chick-fil-A’s IRS 990 forms show its charitable organization, WinShape, made large donations to anti-gay organizations, including Marriage & Family Legacy Fund ($994,199) and Focus on The Family ($12,500). Between 2003 and 2008 it was estimated that the company provided $1 million to similar organizations. President Dan Cathy defended the chain, saying, “We’re not anti-anybody.”
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January, 28 2011: Indiana University at South Bend Bans Chick-fil-A from Campus
After the university learned from student protestors that the fast-food chain was providing free food at an anti-gay event, the school cut Chick-fil-A from its list of campus vendors. Chick-fil-A’s president, Dan Cathy, responded with a statement: “Providing food to these events or any event is not an endorsement of the mission, political stance or motives of this or any other organization. Any suggestion otherwise is just inaccurate.” In May 2011, the chicken chain was allowed back on the IU campus. But that didn’t prevent other universities across the country from protesting the chain.
June 16, 2011: LGBT Activists Boycott Opening of First Chick-fil-A in Chicago
On the Windy City’s first Chick-fil-A location’s opening day, gay supporters came out to protest the restaurant and encourage a boycott. “One of our most powerful forces as a community is our combined economic impact and if we hurt their pocketbooks, they will listen to us,” Lindsey Dietzler, one of the organizers, told the Huffington Post.
July 2, 2012: Founder of Chick-fil-A Publicly Announces Belief in “Biblical Definition of the Family Unit”
S. Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A and father of current president, Dan Cathy, talked to BRnow.org about the company’s Christian values. He revealed that as a follower of the Baptist church his organization “operates on biblical principles.” In addition to being closed on Sundays, they support the traditional family. Cathy said, “We are a family-owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives.” When asked about gay marriage opposition, he said, “Well, guilty as charged.”
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July 20, 2012: Boston Mayor Thomas Menino Says Chick-fil-A Doesn’t Belong Near the Freedom Trail
The mayor of Boston told the Boston Herald he will prevent the Southern fried chicken chain from opening any of its restaurants in Beantown. “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 on the forefront of inclusion,” he said.
July 23, 2012: Disney Splits From Chick-fil-A
The Jim Henson Company, makers of the Muppets (which is now owned by the Disney Company) and Sesame Street (owned by Sesame Workshop), renounced their Fraggle Rock partnership with the fast-food chain. Historically, the amiable puppets have preached inclusion and celebrated diversity. The company’s Creature Shop Toys were supposed to be part of a promotion that would run from mid-July through mid-August. Instead, after reading about the company leaders’ beliefs in the press, the Jim Henson Company posted the following on its Facebook page: “The Jim Henson Company has celebrated and embraced diversity and inclusiveness for over fifty years and we have notified Chick-fil-A that we do not wish to partner with them on any future endeavors.” To emphasize its support of gay rights, CEO Lisa Henson advised that any payment received from Chick-fil-A would be donated to GLAAD.
July 25, 2012: Rick Santorum Announces His Support for Chick-fil-A on Twitter
After the chain gained Mike Huckabee’s support, former GOP presidential candidate tweeted his support of former Arkansas Governor Mike Huckabee’s “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.” He tweeted: I’m joining @GovMikeHuckabee to support @ChickFilA Aug 1. Stand w us! RSVP now: ht.ly/cugl1 #chickfila Pls RT.” Santorum updated his Facebook page with a similar sentiment.
August 1, 2012: Unofficial Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day Will Occur
On July 23, Mike Huckabee announced his his support for the fast-food chain with Christian values on Fox News. He defended Chick-fil-A against what he called, “vicious hate speech and intolerant bigotry from the left.” He urged his supporters to show up on Wednesday, August 1, at their local stores, tweet support, and write about their support on Facebook. So far more than 100,00 people have joined the August 1 event on Facebook.
Do you believe leaders at Chick-fil-A have a right to go public with their thoughts on gay marriage? Do their views affect your view of the fast-food chain?
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Source link : https://www.delish.com/food/news/a39188/chick-fil-a-anti-gay-debate-goes-public-timeline/
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Publish date : 2012-07-26 07:00:00
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