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Has Chick-fil-A taken hate chicken off the menu?
Per an internal document, Chick-fil-A has promised its charitable arm, the Winshape Foundation, will no longer donate to anti-gay groups such as Focus on the Family and the National Organization for Marriage. Confirmed in a letter addressed to Chicago Alderman Proco Joe Moreno, “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.”
“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 executive vice president of marketing Steve Robinson, in a statement to the 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.”
Negotiations to open a restaurant in Chicago came to halt in July when Alderman Moreno said he would not allow the company in his Northwest Side ward because of anti-gay comments made by Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy. Sparking a firestorm of debate, other prominent political leaders—including the mayors of Boston and San Francisco—issued similar proclamations, telling Chick-fil-A to stay away from their towns.
Though Moreno is citing a “win” for LGBT rights, before the alderman took umbrage with the polarizing poultry purveyor the company had issued a nearly identical statement regarding their practices. In July, via facebook, the company promised to ”treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender.”
Meanwhile, Chick-fil-A has yet to adopt a corporate anti-discrimination policy.
