bigotexxx and esteban rage over the dying of the right. Chick-fil-A agrees to stop funding anti-gay groups, Chicago alderman says By Dylan Stableford, Yahoo! News | The Lookout*–*1 hr 20 mins ago http://news.yahoo.com/blogs/lookout/chick-fil-funding-anti-gay-groups-175154249.html?_esi=1 Chick-fil-A, the fast-food chain that sparked a firestorm earlier this year after its president made public comments against same-sex marriage, has agreed to stop funding anti-gay groups, a Chicago alderman says. Joe Moreno, the alderman whose opposition of a proposed Chick-fil-A on Chicago's north side helped fuel the controversy, told the Chicago Tribune the company has pledged to include a statement of respect for all sexual orientations in a memo to staffers, and has promised that the WinShape Foundations, its not-for-profit arm, would no longer contribute money to groups that oppose gay marriage. Moreno said he will recommend that Chick-fil-A's construction plans be approved. The memo, "Chick-fil-A: Who We Are," will be distributed to all corporate employees and restaurant operators, encouraging them to "treat every person with honor, dignity and respect—regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender," Moreno said. In a letter to the alderman, the company wrote that WinShape is "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." Since 2003, the non-profit has donated millions of dollars to groups that promote "traditional marriage," including Focus on the Family and the National Organization for Marriage. According to the Civil Rights Agenda, a Chicago-based LGBT advocacy group that worked closely with Moreno, Chick-fil-A executives "clarified that they will no longer give to anti-gay organizations." A Chick-fil-A spokeswoman declined to comment, forwarding a statement the company made in July. "The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect —regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender," the statement reads. "Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena." Earlier this year, Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A president and chief operating officer, said in a radio interview that "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." In an interview with the Baptist Press, Cathy doubled down on his stance against same-sex unions. "Guilty as charged," he said. "We are very much supportive of the family—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." The comments sparked protests and counter-protests at Chick-fil-A stores. The company, founded by Dan's father, Truett Cathy, in 1946, has a history of "unapologetic social conservatism," as the Daily Caller put it. All 1,608 of its stores are closed on Sundays, a day of rest for most Christians. The WinShape Foundation gave $3.2 million to groups that advocate against same-sex marriage between 2008 and 2010, according to ABC News.
I'm glad as a gay rights advocate (and someone who can eat there with a little less guilt now)- but part of me is kind of disappointed that they sold out their beliefs.
I'm guessing it was more pressure from their franchisees. These people have invested anywhere form half a million to over a million and they rather be making money then worry about their president's feelings on gay marriage. At least I hope so.
Doesn't change the fact that their food is laced with the same chemicals, anti-foaming agents & GMO ingredients that organo-freaks lament McDonalds over. Chick-fil A = profit driven self-righteous hypocrites
So does about every food production company in this country- it doesn't make it right or healthy- but there's very little ways to avoid it short of going to an organic market everyday.
They didn't sell out on their beliefs. They'll still close on Sunday. Their CEO will still be against gay marriage. That's fine. I don't care. But they won't be actively funding programs that attempt to restrict gay rights. You can still believe what you want, just don't actively fight against what someone else believes.
OMG SOCIALIST TERRORIST HOMOSEXUALS ARE GOING 2 EAT ALL THE CHICKENS OF THE WEALTHY AND THEN STEAL THE CHICKENS AND EAT THEM ALL NITE WHILE HAVING GAY TERRORIST BUTT SEX OMG OMG JESUS IS GOING TO CAUSE NATURAL DSIASTERS ON ALL OF US AND THEN LIBERAL TERRORIST HOMOSEXUALS WILL STEAL MY FREEDOMS TO BECOME SUPER WEALTHY LIKE MY GODS ARE
Chick Fil A doesn't have franchisees. Instead they use an operating partner model that some firms employ, thouh nobody as successfully as them. The operating partner comes out of pocket a bit, but nowhere near the amount you're suggesting.
I think the potential to lose out on the Chicago market was too big to bear, or maybe the balance of potential revenue against continued criticism by local gay rights groups. I'm pro gay rights but I don't necessarily like this precedent as far as controlling and potentially constricting commerce, I'm inclined to assume this would be net positive to the local economy regardless of their political views.
I think all around companies shouldn't use their money for politics. They shouldn't donate to any organization (charities excluded) that takes a particular side of an issue, and obviously they shouldn't be allowed to donate to campaigns, IMO. People should be able to donate alllllll they want. Hell if you wanna donate 10 mil, go ahead, as long as it comes out of your checkbook and not a companies. All that extra revenue wasted could be spent improving your company and not seeking favorable legislation. I don't blame them, if the law allows it, do what is best for your company, which is to make as much money as possible. However, I think it is bad for they country, it has corrupted our political system.
To further my point, if he is against gay marriage, or gays in general, fine, that's his life, not mine. He isn't forcing anti-gay messages on his products, I don't care what he believes in or is against. I don't buy products because I agree with what the company stands for, I buy products that I like and Chick-fil-a is like chicken fried crack. Nom nom nom.
I see it the same way. From a what-do-we-do-about-Citizens-United point of view, I'm glad they're going to withdraw the company voice from the political arena. I have no problem with the president giving his own money to whomever. But, for the company to lobby for something that it doesn't even have a financial stake in, I'm not so keen on that (regardless of what the advocacy is for).
The reason I stopped isn't because of the owner's views. That's his prerogative and he can give away as much of his personal cash as he'd like to groups that discriminate. It's the company using it's profits to fund these groups in their name that I was against. My choice was to not contribute to those funds. It was tough because I love me some waffle fries. I guess I get to reconsider now...
