Chick-Fil-A President Dan Cathy says the company's donation to an anti-gay marriage group is not an
endorsement of its values.
Cathy responded to the controversy in a
video posted on the company's Facebook page.
After
gay website GoodAsYou.org blogged about the chicken restaurant's
sponsorship of a marriage seminar closely associated with the
anti-gay marriage group Pennsylvania Family Institute, the group
scrubbed Chick-Fil-A's participation off the website promoting the
one-day event.
“Heartfelt hospitality is at the core
of Chick-Fil-A,” Cathy says in the two-minute-twenty-seven-second
video message.
“Some recent events have called into
question the principles of Chick-Fil-A and speak directly to the
heart of our organization.”
“Last week, one of our local
franchise Chick-Fil-A operators in Pennsylvania made the decision to
provide food to two upcoming February events billed to strengthen
marriages. Marriage has long been a focus of Chick-Fil-A, starting
with my own mom and dad, who are celebrating their sixty-third year
of marriage.”
“In this case, the operator simply
agreed to provide sandwiches and brownies for the events, as many
Chick-Fil-A franchisees have done over the years.
“Let me be clear, Chick-Fil-A serves
all people and values all people.”
“Providing food to these events, or
any event, is not an endorsement of the mission, political stance or
motives of this or any other organization. Any suggestion otherwise
is just inaccurate,” Cathy adds.
Michael Geer, president of the
Pennsylvania Family Institute, echoed a similar sentiment.
Geer said the restaurants were simply
trying to “be good neighbors.”
“We didn't even get any money,”
Geer
told the Christian
Post.
Geer went on to chide the gay media –
specifically mentioning GoodAsYou.org and On Top Magazine –
for suggesting that Chick-Fil-A's corporate office supported the
event.
“Geer expressed 'disappointment' at
online publications that would try to taint the meaningful event,”
the Christian Post wrote.