Chicago Alderman Proco “Joe” Moreno
has described Chick-Fil-A's promise to stop funding anti-gay
organizations as a “big step” for the gay community.
Moreno was among the first local
officials to criticize Chick-Fil-A CEO Dan Cathy for saying that gay
marriage is “inviting God's judgment on our nation” and the
company's long history of giving millions of dollars to groups
opposed to gay rights. Moreno came out against a planned restaurant
in his ward.
On Wednesday, Moreno and the advocacy
group The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA) announced that the company had
promised to no longer fund such groups and pledged to include a
statement of respect for all sexual orientations in an internal memo
titled “Chick-Fil-A: Who We Are.” The document will state the
company's commitment to “treat every person with honor, dignity and
respect – regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual
orientation or gender,” Moreno said.
Appearing on The Young Turks,
Moreno said he was no longer opposed to a proposed eatery to be built
in Logan Square.
“This is the first time in the
company's history that they've done this,” Moreno said. “I think
it's because of your actions, the community's actions, and partly
because of my actions in not supporting the restaurant that they
changed their tune. I think it's a big step for the community.”
“Is it the endgame? No, it's not.”
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Chick-Fil-A has refused repeated media
requests to confirm Moreno's assertions.