A number of blogs and news outlets are reporting that in a letter to Chicago Alderman Proco "Joe" Moreno, Chick Fil-A and the company's owners, the Cathy family, have agreed that there will no more contributions or funding given to anti-gay organizations. As yet, the company has not issued a formal press release confirming the company's supposed change of position. Likewise, there has as yet been little reaction to the supposed action by Chick Fil-A from the hate groups and Christofacsist organizations that turned out sheeple for Chick Fil-A appreciation events. One can only imagine that Tony Perkins and similar hate merchants will be having apoplexy if the reports prove true. Here are highlights from the Windy City News:
Ald. Proco "Joe" Moreno has struck a deal with Chick-fil-A that will allow the chain to open in his ward, after months of controversy that started with anti-gay comments made by the restaurant's chief operating officer, Dan Cathy.
According to Moreno and The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA), the company will no longer donate money to anti-gay organizations and has issued a memo about respectful treatment of LGBT employees and customers.
In a statement released Sept. 18, Moreno said he met with Chick-fil-A executives last week for the second time this month. The meetings concluded 10 months of negotiations with the company focused on concerns about fair and equal hiring and serving practices within the company.
"This is a win for the LGBT community," said Moreno. "This is a win for everyone who works for the cause of equal rights, and a win for Chick- fil-A. This is a win for all."
According to TCRA, which has been working with Moreno on the Chick-fil-A negotiations, anti-gay donations were among the key issues in the controversy, but the group also wanted the corporation to adopt an anti-discrimination policy at the corporate level.
A letter signed by Chick-fil-A's senior director of real estate to Moreno states, "The WinShape Foundation 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."
Donations will now go toward foster-care agencies and community-service groups, among other organizations—as opposed to anti-gay organizations such as Focus on the Family and the National Organization for Marriage.
According to Moreno, it is also the first time the company has written an internal memo to franchisees and stakeholders stating that the company 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." The statement is listed in an official company document titled "Chick-fil-A: Who We Are."
I'd like to believe that Chick Fil-A has seen the light. But, personally, I will believe this supposed change of heart when (1) Chick Fil-A issues a press release confirming the change of policy, and (2) experience confirms that the Cathy family doesn't resort to merely funneling money through other means. In the meantime, you will not see me darkening the door of a Chick Fil-A restaurant.
1 comment:
You won't see me eating there either. About the only way I would eat their unhealthy food would be if they made a huge donation to LGBT charities or a marriage equality group.
However, the very real benefit of this news is that the bigots who supported this company are outraged at this seeming change in philosophy. I have friends who comment on the Chik Fil A Facebook page and there are so many angry bigots blisteringly spewing so much hate, its HILARIOUS. I guess they weren't supporting the company for first amendment reasons after all. Shocking.
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