CHICAGO — After months of negotiations with Chicago Alderman Proco “Joe” Moreno over its anti-gay positions and donations, Chick-fil-A has agreed to cease donations from its non-profit charity to anti-gay organizations and issued a company-wide internal mandate calling for the equal treatment of all employees and customers, the alderman said.
WinShape, a non-profit funded by the College Park, Ga.-based chicken chain, has donated millions of dollars to anti-LGBT organizations — some classified hate groups — including Focus on the Family, according to The Civil Rights Agenda, which worked with Moreno and company executives in an advisory capacity as they negotiated to adopt new policies.
Tony Merevick, Chicago PhoenixProtesters at a Chicago Chick-fil-A on Aug. 1, 2012.
“At Chick-fil-A, we have a genuine commitment to hospitality for all of our guests. We have no agenda, policy or position against anyone,” said Steve Robinson, executive vice president of marketing in statement to Chicago Phoenix. “The genuine, historical intent of our WinShape Foundation and corporate giving has been to support youth, family and educational programs. We value everyone and strive to treat all people with a caring spirit.”
Chick-fil-A serves and values everyone regardless of their beliefs or opinions, Robinson said. The company made similar statements on its Facebook page in mid-July — before the controversy erupted over comments made by Chick-fil-A President Dan Cathy, in which he reiterated the company’s support for marriage between a man and woman and his opposition to same-sex marriage.
“This is a win for the LGBT community,” Moreno said in a statement provided by TCRA. “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.”
The shift could ease intense opposition from the local LGBT community and the alderman that left many pitted against the restaurant chain’s plans to open a new location in the city.
“We are very pleased with this outcome and thank Ald. Moreno for his work on this issue,” said Anthony Martinez, executive director of TCRA. “I think the most substantive part of this outcome is that Chick-fil-A has ceased donating to organizations that promote discrimination, specifically against LGBT civil rights.”
The company reportedly outlined its shift in policy and practice in a letter addressed to Moreno, who in July declared that he would block the popular fast food chain from opening a new location in his ward unless they adopted gay-friendly policies. The letter, signed by Chick-fil-A’s Senior Director of Real Estate reads, “The WinShape Foundations 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,” according to Martinez.
Related articles:
Tax records: Chick-fil-A donations to anti-LGBT groups nearly doubled in 2011
Chicago alderman angered after Chick-fil-A denies agreement to end anti-gay donations
Mike Huckabee: Chick-fil-A's reversal on anti-gay donations is ‘not true’
Same-sex couples stage nationwide 'kiss-in' to protest anti-gay Chick-fil-A
Gay artist claims responsibility for 'Tastes like hate' grafitti at Chick-fil-A
Chick-fil-A 'Appreciation Day' round-up: Intolerance on display
Chicago GOP calls for investigation into Alderman’s proposed Chick-fil-A ban
Outrage escalates into public relations debacle for anti-gay Chick-fil-A
Equality Illinois kicks off statewide campaign targeting anti-gay Chick-fil-A
This is why Chick-fil-A sucks...
Anti-gay Chick-fil-A: 'Gulity as charged' in support of 'traditional marriage'
Report: Chick-fil-A donated nearly $2 million to anti-gay causes in 2009
Filed under: Illinois
Florida teen fighting criminal charges related to same-sex relationship
Harvey: Gays deserve to be fired for displaying their lifestyles to everyone
Anti-gay marriage activist commits suicide on alter at Notre Dame cathedral
Candidate for Va. Lt. Governor warns same-sex marriage leads to bestiality
Bryan Fischer: The Boy Scouts are now the ‘Boy Sodomizers of America’
ACLU, attorney condemn prosecution of teen who had sex with minor girlfriend
Sex and the teenage girl: The Kaitlyn Hunt tragedy
UPDATED: Police call fatal New York City shooting an anti-gay hate crime
Transgender student skips graduation rather than wear female gown
Attorney implies suspect’s child sexual abuse was a factor NYC killing
Iowa anti-gay activist explains his opposition to gay marriage: ‘It’s awful’
Details emerge in case against teen accused of lewd behavior with girlfriend
Lesbian teen charged in relationship with underage girlfriend rejects plea deal
BREAKING: French president signs marriage equality bill into law
BREAKING: Boy Scouts of America votes to rescind policy banning openly gay scouts
…Are you really taken in by this? They said the same thing when they got busted in 2011.
PFF! Hate like that isnt Just “swept away!” ITS TO LATE…to apologize.
I still won’t eat their shit….
Don’t believe them till I see them in acting
I want proof
They will just hide it better… still not eating there.
too little too late, Chickfila
Please remember some of these are franchised by gay people ( went to one today that had the best service I have ever had )!
I’m not running out to eat CFA anytime soon Actions speak louder than words….
I call bullshit
Don’t believe them…They just want to get into that location in Chicago! Let them make equivalent donations to our LGBT charities!! Then maybe I’ll believe them… But still won’t eat their crap food!!
I don’t think it’s productive to be skeptical of their sincerity. I think we should all go out and get some Chick-fil-A this week to show that it is worth it for company’s to do things like this. I never have a crap what their president believed. All that matters is they will stop donating to hate groups like FOF and that this sets a precedent for other companies. This shows the country that supporting far right hate groups is bad for business because there are too many people out there who support equality whose business they stand to lose.
Companies*
Yes. Thank you, Joe.
Watch them like hawks and I’m still not spending a dime there.
Gave* argh! Autocorrect ruins my grammar!
This Is progress! The first steps forward are never easy, but now we can walk together.
I hope this is true. I really do. If so, I think we should at least applaud the action, whether or not you want to support their company with your money. It’s a step forward, no matter what the reasons are. This is what we wanted, so I don’t think it’s a good idea to kind of spit in their faces for it. I’m so happy that we proved that you can no longer make bold anti-gay statements and get away with it.
Until Cathy himself makes a public statement with a sincere apology, I will NEVER set foot in his stores again!!!
don’t they serve cock?
bullshit
Good first move! Will definitely watch every step they make.
Only move they could make if they wanted to stay in business after all the controversy.
Why dont I trust CFA ? I wonder.
I agree with Tami. What’s the matter? Losing all that GAY money?
That is only because they realized that we as in THE GAYS support their dam company significantly = proffits. Gays make everything better America Is just coming to their senses.
Don’t believe it :(
while this is a step forward, I think they should now donate an equal amount to pro-gay organizations to at least even their support. The damage has been done by their previous donations; to simply say they wont do it again is not justice to those who have been harmed. Personally, I will be waiting to see what they do before buying their food in the future – while I am willing to acknowledge that folks like these can change their behavior and be serious about taking the high road to equality and tolerance, actions speak much more than words, so as far as I am concerned, this is a small first step. Let’s keep them under the microscope and watch carefully to see what they do – and dont do – going forward.
WOO now I can finally go back to eating good christian woman chicken without shame!
Fuck Chick-fil-A.
Has anyone snoped this?
buahahahahahahah! not that i actually believe them, but the fact that they said it – out loud and in public – is HUGE!!!
Still not eating there!
Bullshit. Are they going start donating millions to charities that support marriage equality, AIDS awareness, or homeless LGBT youth instead? I’m happy they had to eat their words, but it’s too late. Good riddance, Chik-fil-hate.
That’s a good start. One little problem; why are the hardcore people like Bachmann, Malkin, etc. not going up in arms about it?
Not sure I believe this one.
yah Im not sure about this either,I think they would rather go under and say they planned on closing then agree giving millions to hateful,lying groups against equality for all is the wrong thing to do…
Don’t trust it
Lol
All in the name of publicity. They probably have some gay folks in high positions over there at the office. Not good for any company to spread hate among it’s own employees and customers
Christian Science Monitor reported it also. Would have to believe it, but, would have to watch that they don’t resume making donations in the future. Cathy can say what he wants publicly, like he did, that’s his right.
Too little to late life time of hate … When they start donating to equality I’ll think of it
I still don’t trust ‘em…we’ll have to wait and see about this
I’ve never eaten at one, and vowed never to in my life but if it proves true, and they focus on actual charitable stuff rather than discrimination I will change my stance on their food too :)
I would still never eat there under any circumstances.
Fuck them. And also a big hearty Fuck You to the assholes who flocked to Support Chick Fil H8s Day.
You look like hateful assholes who were also fooled into buying a sandwich.
LOL!!! POINTING AT YOU LOL!!!
Finally, doing the right thing.
Not really. They just fired their old PR firm and got a new one.
I really hope they did.
http://snarkyunderclass.blogspot.com/2012/09/chic-fil-hate.html?spref=fb
Need more convincing from their CEO before I’m convinced