Chick-Fil-A says that it has stopped giving donations to two Christian charities known for having critiques on the LGBTQ community.
What We Know:
- In its new philanthropic giving plan, the company’s foundation dramatically narrowed the number of charities it will support and excluded two controversial Christian organizations. Chick-Fil-A has donated millions of dollars to The Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes but both organizations have also had a history of opposing same-sex marriage.
- Chick-Fil-A’s first location in the United Kingdom will close when its lease expires due to several protests from a local LGBTQ rights group.
- Drew Anderson, GLAAD’s director of campaigns, said in a statement, “If Chick-Fil-A is serious about their pledge to stop holding hands with divisive anti-LGBTQ activists, then further transparency is needed regarding their deep ties to organizations like Focus on the Family, which exists purely to harm LGBTQ people and families.”
- The Salvation Army said it is “saddened to learn that a corporate partner has felt it necessary to divert funding to other hunger, education, and homelessness organizations…areas in which The Salvation Army, as the largest social services provider in the world, is already fully committed.”
Chick-fil-A has faced criticism in the past for its charitable donations and CEO Dan Cathy’s public comments opposing gay marriage. Activists have helped to put pressure on the company and clearly it is making an impact.
