In the past, the restaurant chain Chic-fil-A has ruffled the feathers of its potential liberal clientele because of its known reputation donating to anti-gay Christian organizations such as The Salvation Army, Paul Anderson Youth Homes, and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. CEO Dan Cathy of Chick-fil-A, founded in 1946, does not believe in gay marriage. A devout Southern Baptist, Cathy closes all 2,400 restaurants on his Sabbath, Sunday.
Coming under increased attack for its LGBT position in the United States, cities such as San Antonio and Buffalo have decided not to allow Chick-fil-A restaurants in their airports. The restaurant chain, that has 2,400 restaurants, had hoped to branch out into Europe, but after one week in business, Chick-fil-A’s first location was shut down by the landlord in the Reading Oracle Shopping Center in England due to fear of boycotts.
President of Chick-fil-A, Tim Tassopoulos said the popular restaurant will consider corporate donations to the areas of hunger, homelessness and education, yet still entertain giving to faith-based groups. Skeptics believe that Chick-fil-A is not sincere about its intentions for reform and is bowing to public pressure and negative press coverage. Will Chick continue to tie with Focus on the Family, a right-wing organization that is against LGBT marriage and adoption?
Right-wingers such as former Governor of Arkansas, Mike Huckabee, believe that Chick-fil-A is caving into anti-Christian hate groups. Glsen, a gay advocacy group, greeted Chick’s announcement as a “positive step,” and Glaad’s campaign director, Drew Anderson, regarded the news with “cautious optimism.”
Despite the politics, Chick-fil-A continues to be at the top of customer satisfaction rankings. Those people will enjoy their crispy fried sandwiches and waffle fries ,without guilt.
When Your Child Is Gay: What You Need To Know
For more detailed advice, see book, co-authored with a mother of a gay son and a psychiatrist, Jonathan L. Tobkes, M.D.
