Chick-Fil-A has not changed its stance on gay marriage.
Earlier this month Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno announced that he had reached an agreement with Chick-Fil-A. The restaurant would stop funding anti-gay groups and Moreno would allow a new restaurant to be constructed in Chicago. The deal had gay rights organizations rejoicing and Christian conservatives panicking.
CEO Dan Cathy said today that his loyal conservative fan base has no need to worry since Chick-Fil-A never agreed to change its stance on gay marriage.
In a statement to Fox News host Mike Huckabee, Cathy said:
“Chick-fil-A made no such concessions and we remain true to who we are and who we have been … There continues to be erroneous implications in the media that Chick-fil-A changed our practices and priorities in order to obtain permission for a new restaurant in Chicago. That is incorrect.”
Chick-Fil-A became the center of the gay rights conversation earlier this year when Cathy made inflammatory comments about the LGBT community . Gay kiss-ins were planned at the restaurant to protest the restaurant’s controversial stance. Chick-Fil-A also received support from the conservative community who gave the restaurant its best sales day ever during Chick-Fil-A Appreciation Day .
Several city officials, including Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuelle and Alderman Moreno, banned the restaurant from adding new locations in their cities. Moreno said earlier this month that he was lifting the ban since Chick-Fil-A had agreed to stop funding anti-gay groups.
Cathy clarified the restaurant’s position today, saying:
“A part of our corporate commitment is to be responsible stewards of all that God has entrusted to us. Because of this commitment, Chick-fil-A’s giving heritage is focused on programs that educate youth, strengthen families and enrich marriages, and support communities. We will continue to focus our giving in those areas. Our intent is not to support political or social agendas.”
Moreno said:
“Perhaps Mr. Cathy felt that he could make these public statements to Mike Huckabee because I had provided a letter of support for his restaurant to the city of Chicago earlier this week … I still need to introduce legislation to make the Chick-fil-A in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago a reality. I will wait to see what Mr. Cathy’s next public statement is, and reflect on that statement before moving forward with appropriate legislation.”
