REL GENRL Chick-Fil-A Ends Funding to Pro-Marriage Groups, Opens in Chicago

[Mudkip]

Chick-Fil-A Re-Evaluates Funding for Anti-Gay Marriage Groups

link: http://news.yahoo.com/chick-fil-eva...iage-groups-171246887--abc-news-politics.html

A Chicago lawmaker says that Chick-fil-A is re-evaluating the multimillion-dollar donations the company gives to anti-gay marriage activists and other groups with "political agendas," a month after company CEO Dan Cathy's pro-traditional marriage comments created a firestorm in the fast-food world between LGBT supporters and gay-marriage opponents.
After weeks of negotiations with city Alderman Joe Moreno, the fast-food restaurant agreed to take "a much closer look" at which groups receive donations from the WinShape Foundation, a non-profit created by the Cathy family and funded almost entirely by Atlanta-based Chick-fil-A, the company told 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," Chick-fil-A's senior director of real estate said in a letter to Moreno.
Between 2008 and 2010, the WinShape Foundation gave $3.2 million to groups that advocate against same-sex marriage, according to the group's tax reports. That included $2,000 to the Family Research Council, which was designated as a "hate group" by the Southern Poverty Law Center in 2010, and $2,500 to the Alliance Defense Fund, which supported California's Proposition 8 to outlaw gay marriage.
The Family Research Council and the Alliance Defense Fund did not return requests for comment.
News of these donations, which was sparked by Cathy's saying he supports "the biblical definition of the family unit," sparked national outcry from gay-marriage activists and an overwhelmingly supportive response from traditional-marriage conservatives, who turned out in droves to dine at Chick-fil-A restaurants Aug. 1.
Moreno, who represents the ritzy Northwest Side of Chicago, vowed to block construction of a new Chick-fil-A restaurant in his ward after Cathy's remarks. But in a statement today, Moreno commended the company for making "real progress" toward addressing "the very legitimate concerns of the LGBT community regarding Chick-fil-A."
Along with re-evaluating funding to anti-gay marriage activist groups, Moreno said Chick-fil-A has agreed to amend its corporate policy to include sexual orientation in its anti-discrimination policy.
"The company today has put into writing, for the first time, that its employees are to 'treat every person with honor, dignity and respect - regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation and gender. .. our intent is not to engage in political or social debates,'" Moreno said in a statement.
Because of such changes to company policy, Moreno said he will recommend to the Chicago City Council that Chick-fil-A construction plans be approved for its new location in Chicago.
Chick-fil-A did not immediately respond to ABC News' request for comment or confirmation of Moreno's statement.
The WinShape foundation directed all comments through the Chick-fil-A headquarters, which also serves as the foundation's main offices, which did not respond to requests for comment.

_______________________________

SECOND UPDATE ARTICLE:

Chick-Fil-A Ends Anti-Gay Donations, Moves into Chicago

LINK: http://www.theatlanticwire.com/nati...-ends-anti-gay-donations-moves-chicago/57005/

Chick-fil-A's sandwiches are no longer homophoburgers or free-speech-you-can-eat or whatever the fast food meant during this summer's culture wars. Fried chicken just went back to being delicious as the chain promised to stop "supporting organizations with political agendas," which includes anti-gay groups--a move that's gotten them back into a Chicago's good graces. We learned the news by way of Chicago's The Civil Right Agenda (TCRA) an LGBT-rights advocacy group, who report that Chick-fil-A has penned a letter saying, "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." That letter was addressed to Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno, who along with Boston mayor Thomas Menino, said they would block the chain for its anti-gay views. WinShape is the chain's not-for-profit charitable arm that had previously donated to groups opposing gay marriage. TCRA adds, "In meetings the company executives clarified that they will no longer give to anti-gay organizations, such as Focus on the Family and the National Organization for Marriage."

Of course, the nugget here (har har) is the statement seems to have come out in a roundabout way (second-hand, through the TCRA) not from Chick-fil-A itself. But according to Buzzfeed, a spokesman did not contest what was said in TCRA's release. And Alderman Moreno, according to the Chicago Tribune, was so satisfied with the company's pledge not to back anti-gay groups and promise to include a statement of respect for all sexual orientations that he has allowed the chain to open to a restaurant in Chicago's Logan Square--a move he previously threatened to block. "It's one thing to say that's the way you feel — it's another thing to put it into a company policy and an official company statement," Moreno told the Tribune, adding that he achieved his goal of getting the chain to "affirm that they do not have discriminatory policies."

Update 1:11p.m.: An interesting wrinkle in Chick-fil-A's pledge to not fund anti-gay organizations has unfolded as the National Organization for Marriage President Brian Brown told Buzzfeed "WinShape never gave to us." That would mean that, okay Chick-fil-A isn't lying about not supporting NOM, but it makes the report seem a little shoddy (you can't "no longer" give to anti-gay organizations you weren't giving to). What we do know, is that WinShape has given to places like the Exodus International (an ex-gay Christian organization), and the Family Research Council (who the Southern Poverty Law Center classifies as an anti-gay hate group), as the Huffington Post reported in July. We'll try to get in touch with those groups to see if they've heard anything from a funding point of view.

Update 2:02 p.m.: Since this story broke, Chick-fil-A hasn't yet responded to any comments or inquiries or officially stated that they will give up their anti-gay donations. Believe us, we don't like relying on one side of the story either. But Gawker's Cord Jefferson did talk to TCRA director Anthony Martinez, and was told that Chick-fil-A showed Alderman Moreno a spreadsheet of the company's givings as proof of the company's promise to end anti-gay giving. We went ahead and e-mailed Alderman Moreno's office about the spreadsheet and the company's promise to end anti-gay giving and came up with this response from spokesman Matthew Bailey:

Yes, I can confirm that he was shown proof by company executives.
So, just to be clear: Chick-fil-A hasn't spoken (yet), but now we have confirmation from both the TCRA and Alderman Moreno's office that Moreno was promised by company executives that the anti-gay giving would be halted. In his official statement on the subject of Chick-fil-A, Moreno even states:

In my last meeting with company executives, I corroborated what they told me back in January: that donations to anti-gay groups, which most concerned the LGBT community, have ceased. In a letter signed by Chick-fil-A’s Senior Director of Real Estate, it states, “The WinShape Foundations [sic] 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.”

 

[Mudkip]

STATEMENT LINK: http://www.scribd.com/doc/106382523/Chick-fil-A-Final

IN FULL:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 19, 2012

ALDERMAN MORENO, CHICK-FIL-A AND THE CIVIL RIGHTS AGENDA
FIND A WAY TO MOVE FORWARD

This fight was never about “freedom of speech” or “freedom of beliefs.” Despite common characterization, this fight was about ensuring the right of LGBT citizens everywhere to fair employment.
This fight was about providing LGBT citizens with a workplace that doesn’t discriminate against them based on their sexual orientation or gender identity. This fight was about upholding and protecting basiccivil liberties. This fight was about justice.

Prior to today, Chick-fil-A had a poor record when it came to acknowledging equal rights for all of ourcitizens, regardless of their sexual orientation. Prior to today, Chick-fil-A funneled money to groupsassociated with anti-LGBT agendas. Prior to today, Chick-fil-A felt it was “not necessary” to formally address their policies towards the LGBT community. But today, we have a new path: For the first time, Chick-fil-A has changed their practices and promised the workplace protections that all of our citizensdeserve. Instead of being a company that openly promotes discrimination, Chick-fil-A has vowed tomove forward.

This is a win for the LGBT community. This is a win for everyone who works for the cause of equal rights,and a win for Chick- fil-A. This is a win for all.

Last week, I met with Chick-fil-A executives for the second time this month. These meetings cap 10months of negotiations with the company over concerns about fair and equal hiring and servingpractices within the company. Before now, Chick-fil-A had no formal message as it related to the fairtreatment of all citizens in our great democracy. Now, for the first time in the company’s history, Chick
-fil-A provided an official company document, which clarifies their new policies to ensure equality atChick-fil-A facilities.

Due to the LGBT community’s dissatisfaction with the company’s lack of fair and equal policies towardspeople of all sexual orientations, the company today has put into writing, for the first time, that its employees are to “treat every person with honor, dignity and respect

-- regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation and gender…our intent is not to engage in political or social debates.” This
statement was placed into an official company document called “Chick-fil-A: Who We Are.”

For the first time, Chick-fil-A has provided a way to ensure that their employees know that discrimination will not be tolerated. It sends an important message and is a very positive step for Chick-fil-A as it looks to expand into urban markets. It is also a positive step forward for the LGBT community.From now on, if discriminatory practices were to occur within the company, the corporate policy couldbe used as a basis for legal action. This action would also set a precedent for other companies whochoose to make bigotry a part of their corporate culture.

The second, and equally as important, concession pertains to Chick-fil-A’s donations to anti-gay groups. In my last meeting with company executives, I corroborated what they told me back in January: thatdonations to anti-gay groups, which most concerned the LGBT community, have ceased. In a lettersigned by Chick-fil-A’s Senior Director of Real Estate, it states, “The WinShape Foundations is now tak
inga 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.”

My sole interest in this fight was to make substantive progress on the vital civil rights issue of our day.With this action, I believe that real progress has been made to address the very legitimate concerns of the LGBT community regarding Chick-fil-A. Moreover, the company has agreed to a compromised trafficpattern. Therefore, I will be providing Chick-fil-A the letter of support they have been requesting toallow for a subdivision of the property located at 2538-70 N. Elston Avenue. I also will be introducing aCity Council ordinance that will formalize the subdivision.Before today, many believed this matter was simply about Chick-fil-A itself, but this action shows thattoday will be remembered as being about more. Today will not be remembered as being about values,beliefs or passing media controversies. Today will be remembered as a day we all stood together tobuild a better future for all. Today will be remembered as a celebration of tomorrow.

 

[Satanta]

"OK, Chik-Fil-A will no longer donate to anti-homo groups, instead I will personally make the donations privately and anonymously."

 

[Mudkip]

I wonder if there's a relation between this cave-in, the Chicago location, and their spokesman dying of a heart attack. Just about every article about this has linked back to their own or another news story about the "sudden death" of Don Perry, the vice president of public relations for Chick-fil-A.

Am I out of bounds here?

 

[My Adonai]

This is too bad. One more strong Christian company bowing it's knee out of fear for loss of revenue or lawsuits.

 

[Mudkip]

I don't understand why they changed so suddenly. They already endured all the bad press and plenty of people showed them support for the stance they made. It seems such a slap in the face for those who supported them during the summer.

 

[Grantbo]

This is too bad. One more strong Christian company bowing it's knee out of fear for loss of revenue or lawsuits.

I agree. It wasn't too long ago that society thought sodomy was evil and criminal. It just goes to show how screwed up the US has become.

 

[PghPanther]

Chick-Fil-A is a corporation..................corporations must grow their bottom line within the boudries of the law at all costs.........corporations bow to the alter of quartely profits......and will alter any promtion and/or public relations stance that results in that growth.........

Any idea that they are a Christian company due to the CEO is no more than his preferred corporate culture to be reflected on his personal beliefs..........but that in no way cannot get in the way of his CEO role in maximizing profits while exernalizing costs........

Yes many people of faith like how they run things........but the bottom line is money rules what they do..............not God.

What was that in the Bible about serving two Gods??

 

[CRodgers]

I've eaten my last nugget from that place.

 

[Deena in GA]

I think we need to wait on more confirmation or explanation from Chick-Fil-A before getting bent out of shape over this. The people saying this is true aren't exactly ones I would trust.

 

[Coulter]

I've eaten my last nugget from that place.

If it is true - - I hope they go out of business.

They can change there name to Gay-Fil-A.

IMO for them - it's us or them - zero middle ground.

Their choice.

 

[Be Well]

Comment I read (note that ALL articles about this are from "gay" advocate sources). I think this story is actually BOGUS and is entirely designed to get support for Chik-Fil-A to drop! PLease read the below carefully. So far I have seen 3 or 4 articles about this (one spelling Dan Cathy's name wrong) and they are all from "gay" agenda sources.


I’ve seen another version of this story that ties it directly to the new store going into I think Boston, where the mayor has supposedly “relented” and will allow the restuarant, because of “assurances”. That story also suggests that this “new stance” is not a new one, but was posted on the company’s facebook page back in July when this started.

So that might be a place to start looking. I don’t think it was a change, I believe they’ve said they don’t specifically donate money to groups advocating against gay marriage, they give money to groups that support families. One of those groups is also a big player in defending marriage, but it isn’t the purpose of the group.

 

[Mudkip]

I hope it is wrong, but there were articles confirming it the first two pages of google.

If it is bogus, I apologize for failed source.

 

[Be Well]

No need for any apologies - it is not entirely clear what the situation is. From my readings, it LOOKS as though C-F-A's position and donations are in no way changed; they now and in the past donate to charities that SUPPORT traditional [aka "real"!] marriage, not orgs which fight against same sex "marriage". This is what they've always done in the past, and they plan to do in the future.

IMHO this article and others like it are making it APPEAR that Dan Cathy has kowtowed to them. I don't think he has. The homos got their respective butts handed to them by the huge support for C-F-A and now they're trying another tactic to harm the company.

 

[Coulter]

Comment I read (note that ALL articles about this are from "gay" advocate sources). I think this story is actually BOGUS and is entirely designed to get support for Chik-Fil-A to drop! PLease read the below carefully. So far I have seen 3 or 4 articles about this (one spelling Dan Cathy's name wrong) and they are all from "gay" agenda sources.


I’ve seen another version of this story that ties it directly to the new store going into I think Boston, where the mayor has supposedly “relented” and will allow the restuarant, because of “assurances”. That story also suggests that this “new stance” is not a new one, but was posted on the company’s facebook page back in July when this started.

So that might be a place to start looking. I don’t think it was a change, I believe they’ve said they don’t specifically donate money to groups advocating against gay marriage, they give money to groups that support families. One of those groups is also a big player in defending marriage, but it isn’t the purpose of the group.

ATLANTA — A Georgia-based restaurant chain that drew national attention when its owner reaffirmed his opposition to same-sex marriage says it’s leaving the debate to politicians in the future.

Chick-fil-A issued a statement to that effect Wednesday when asked to comment on a claim earlier in the day that the company had stopped funding organizations that oppose same-sex marriage.

Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno announced the alleged policy change, which he said followed extended negotiations. He said as a result, he would no longer try to block a Chick-fil-A restaurant from opening in his district.

The company declined to comment beyond a statement saying it planned “to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.”

Anti-gay groups listed as recipients of funds in the past declined to comment.


I can't believe that Alderman would have relented if Chick-fil-A had not changed their position.

Chick-fil-A statements sound very cagey to me.

IMO if it's not clear - they are now supporting gays.

 

[Shea Grey]

I've eaten my last nugget from that place.

AMEN!!!! they got bolls the size of peanuts!!!!!

say Dennis old pal whats the policy of PUI?...how much wiggle room?

 

[Be Well]

I say wait until we hear from C-F-A themselves. I have read several articles so far and they are ALL from pro-homo spokesholes. NOTHING from Dan Cathy. From what I've read they have NOT changed their policies or positions or donations at all. IMHO this is a disinformation campaign. If I find anything more and my computer still works I'll post it.

 

[Mudkip]

Thanks for the help Be Well. I've been watching this story closely since it all started. I'm tired of Christian businesses being forced to their knees, harassed, and exploited. There just needs to be one pioneer business that does NOT bow, break, or fold. It would certainly be a goodwill boost to many.

 

[kyrsyan]

They are not supporting gays. They have made a decision to not support any group that has a political agenda. That's all. So no support to gays but no support to anyone who is supporting political measures against them. Hair splitting.

I won't say I'm happy about it especially given the huge outpouring of support that they received. But that's the business choice. The private person choice probably hasn't changed one iota.

 

[Coulter]

They are not supporting gays. They have made a decision to not support any group that has a political agenda. That's all. So no support to gays but no support to anyone who is supporting political measures against them. Hair splitting.

I won't say I'm happy about it especially given the huge outpouring of support that they received. But that's the business choice. The private person choice probably hasn't changed one iota.

I think Jesus said if you weren't for him - you were against him.

Using that logic.

So if they are not for the anti gay agenda - then they are against it.

Or Chick-fil-A is now for the gay agenda?

 

[Be Well]

They are not supporting gays. They have made a decision to not support any group that has a political agenda. That's all. So no support to gays but no support to anyone who is supporting political measures against them. Hair splitting.

I won't say I'm happy about it especially given the huge outpouring of support that they received. But that's the business choice. The private person choice probably hasn't changed one iota.

So far it doesn't look as though Cathy has changed any of his views, stands or donations.

Let's see what he says about all this. I am of hte mind that it is homo-propaganda to diminish CFA's support.

 

[Deena in GA]

So far it doesn't look as though Cathy has changed any of his views, stands or donations.

Let's see what he says about all this. I am of hte mind that it is homo-propaganda to diminish CFA's support.

+1 And to make it look like they won.

 

[Garryowen]

Long ago, Francis Schaeffer warned against believing what the press told us about Christians. His words have been proven correct many times in the last three decades. Chicago politicians and the MSM have no allegiance to truth. Let's not assume they are being truthful now.

 

[Mudkip]

UPDATE: This article claims Chick Fil A made a statement yesterday. Not sure if credible source.

Why did Chick-fil-A cross the road, pull funds for gay marriage foes?

link: http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2012/0...oss-the-road-pull-funds-for-gay-marriage-foes

After enduring a major public-relations tsunami this summer, Chick-fil-A, the Atlanta-based sandwich shop that’s closed on Sundays, says it will end its decade-long corporate support of culture-warrior groups that oppose gay marriage.


"Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena,” the company said in a statement Wednesday. Its charitable arm, WinShape Foundations, gave $2 million to gay-marriage opponents such as Focus on the Family in 2010 alone, according to ABC News.

The news emerged from Chicago, from the office of city Alderman Joe Moreno, who helped drive the controversy by vowing to block Chick-fil-A’s application for a building permit in Chicago’s hip Northwest Side ward over statements by CEO Dan Cathy this summer. Mr. Cathy told the Baptist Press in July that he was “guilty as charged” for supporting “the biblical definition of the family unit.”

The comments caused demonstrations and counterdemonstrations, including a Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day suggested by former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee (R). The Henson Group, of “Muppets” fame, broke off relations with the company over the flap. Many gay acdtivists vowed to shun the restaurant, while conservatives alleged that Mr. Moreno and other politicians were engaging in “thug” politics by punishing a private business for protected speech.

With 1,614 restaurants nationally and as sponsor of the Chick-fil-A college bowl – not to mention those highway billboards with the cows – the company is a corporate success story that made a name for itself with tastefully spiced and artfully fried chicken breast served on fluffy buns with a few pickles as the only condiment.

Despite considerable public support for the company's right to exercise its free-speech rights, Chick-fil-A evidently saw several reasons to switch course. (Chick-fil-A headquarters said Wednesday that, beside its written statement, it won’t make any more public announcements on the topic.)

Some marketing experts say the company, with revenues of about $4 billion, could see a slight dip in business because of the controversy, especially if it remained unresolved in the public’s eye.

More immediately, the company’s corporate plans to broaden its reach outside of the South may also be a factor in its policy change. The company's socially conservative management has made news before, but the firm's values seemed in sync with many Southerners' views on church, God, and marriage. But Chick-fil-A's efforts to expand into places like Chicago and cities in California have put those values into the limelight, raising difficulties not only in obtaining construction permits but also vis a vis local and regional consumer attitudes.

“Chick-fil-A is part of the South. It’s part of the Southern culture, and they’ve done an outstanding job of expanding over the years,” Greg Sanders, publisher of Food News Media, told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution in July. “But let’s be frank, if they’re new in California, not only are social attitudes possibly different in that part of the country, but there’s also not a bank of good will with that brand being built for up years [as it is] in the South.”

For Chick-fil-A, the change in corporate donations may be a small sacrifice. Though some will argue that the company gave in to political correctness, the memo Chick-fil-A vows to send to employees contains the same message that it made public last month – that the company takes pride in treating “every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation and gender.”

Yet the funding reversal also highlighted the risks companies and nonprofits take when they take public stances on divisive social issues.

After public outcry in January over its short-lived decision to end funding for Planned Parenthood, an abortion provider, the Susan G. Komen Foundation backtracked and shook up its corporate staff. Even so, Komen has seen participation in its annual breast cancer walks drop in some areas. In San Francisco, registration for this month’s walk was down 50 percent from last year.

Meanwhile, in Atlanta, some of those offended by Chick-fil-A's charitable giving practices reacted positively to its announced course change.

“This gay chicken will [now] cross the road for some waffle fries regardless of what you think about me,” writes “Wilbur” in a comment on the Journal-Constitution website.

 

[Captain D]

So everybody stood in line for hours that day for nuthin?

 

[Be Well]

Copying this shamelessly since the poster says it better than I could:

From the source of all sources - a pro-fag group....

[http://jointcra.org/ PRESS RELEASE - Chick-fil-A Ceases Anti-gay Donations, Clarifies Stance on Gay Customers & Employees]

Additionally, they have sent an internal memo to franchisees and stakeholders that states that as a company, they will “treat every person with honor, dignity and respect-regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation and gender” and that their “intent is not to engage in political or social debates.” This statement was placed into an official company document called “Chick-fil-A: Who We Are.”



Look Dammit. CFA has ALWAYS maintained this Christ-like virtue; to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect-regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation and gender. This is NOT NEW.
ALL THIS BROU-HA HA IS IS A LAME ATTEMPT TO FOOL GULLIBLE CONSERVATIVES INTO THINKING CFA HAS FOLDED AND CAVED IN.
AND WHAT IS FREAKING SAD IS... MANY FREEPERS HAVE LOOKED ONLY AT THE MISLEADING HEADLINES AND INCOMPLETEE EXCERPTS AND SAID; "BY GOLLY - THE FAGS ARE RIGHT. CHICK-FIL-A HAS LOWERED THEIR STANDARDS."
YES, I'M SHOUTING. YES, I'M PISSED OFF.

they will “treat every person with honor, dignity and respect-regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation and gender”

That is indeed an actual CFA statement. From BEFORE this faggoty boycott business even started last July. And WHAT is wrong with that statement? Not a damm thing! That is and always has been a sensible (and Christ-like) business model.

But now? Now the homo nazi's have formed a perverted alliance through the media (of course) to twist this innocent old comment into their advantage.

Disgusting. They have Alinsky'd so many conservatives.

 

[Coulter]

Copying this shamelessly since the poster says it better than I could:

From the source of all sources - a pro-fag group....

[http://jointcra.org/ PRESS RELEASE - Chick-fil-A Ceases Anti-gay Donations, Clarifies Stance on Gay Customers & Employees]

Additionally, they have sent an internal memo to franchisees and stakeholders that states that as a company, they will “treat every person with honor, dignity and respect-regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation and gender” and that their “intent is not to engage in political or social debates.” This statement was placed into an official company document called “Chick-fil-A: Who We Are.”



Look Dammit. CFA has ALWAYS maintained this Christ-like virtue; to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect-regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation and gender. This is NOT NEW.
ALL THIS BROU-HA HA IS IS A LAME ATTEMPT TO FOOL GULLIBLE CONSERVATIVES INTO THINKING CFA HAS FOLDED AND CAVED IN.
AND WHAT IS FREAKING SAD IS... MANY FREEPERS HAVE LOOKED ONLY AT THE MISLEADING HEADLINES AND INCOMPLETEE EXCERPTS AND SAID; "BY GOLLY - THE FAGS ARE RIGHT. CHICK-FIL-A HAS LOWERED THEIR STANDARDS."
YES, I'M SHOUTING. YES, I'M PISSED OFF.

they will “treat every person with honor, dignity and respect-regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation and gender”

That is indeed an actual CFA statement. From BEFORE this faggoty boycott business even started last July. And WHAT is wrong with that statement? Not a damm thing! That is and always has been a sensible (and Christ-like) business model.

But now? Now the homo nazi's have formed a perverted alliance through the media (of course) to twist this innocent old comment into their advantage.

Disgusting. They have Alinsky'd so many conservatives.

Per your link above -

Chick-fil-A Ceases Anti-gay Donations, Clarifies Stance on Gay Customers & Employees

September 18, 2012 – Chicago, Illinois – The Civil Rights Agenda (TCRA), Illinois’ leading lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) civil rights advocacy organization, has learned that Alderman Moreno has finalized his negotiations with Chick-Fil-A. Alderman Moreno has confirmed that Chick-fil-A will no longer give money to anti-gay organizations and that they have clarified in an internal document that the company will treat every person equally, regardless of sexual orientation. The Civil Rights Agenda worked closely with the Alderman in an advisory role as he negotiated these concessions with the executives at Chick-fil-A. Additionally, members of TCRA spoke directly with executives at Chick-fil-A during negotiations to aid in educating their decision makers about anti-discrimination policies and issues affecting the LGBT community.

In a letter addressed to Alderman Moreno and signed by Chick-fil-A’s Senior Director of Real Estate, it states, “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.” Winshape, a non-profit funded by Chick-fil-a, has donated millions of dollars to anti-LGBT groups, including some classified as hate groups.

In meetings the company executives clarified that they will no longer give to anti-gay organizations.

“We are very pleased with this outcome and thank Alderman Moreno for his work on this issue,” said Anthony Martinez, executive director of The Civil Rights Agenda. “I think the most substantive part of this outcome is that Chick-fil-A has ceased donating to organizations that promote discrimination, specifically against LGBT civil rights. It has taken months of discussion, both with our organization and with the Alderman, for Chick-fil-A to come forward with these concessions and we feel this is a strong step forward for Chick-fil-A and the LGBT community, although it is only a step.”

Additionally, they have sent an internal memo to franchisees and stakeholders that states that as a company, they will “treat every person with honor, dignity and respect-regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation and gender” and that their “intent is not to engage in political or social debates.” This statement was placed into an official company document called “Chick-fil-A: Who We Are.”

“Although we are encouraged by their internal statement, we would still like for the company to adopt an anti-discrimination policy at the corporate level,” said Rick Garcia, policy advisor for The Civil Rights Agenda. “It is one thing for a company to say they respect everyone they serve and employ, it is quite another for them to put that into their policies and demand that all employees adhere to that behavior. As we have heard from gay employees that work for Chick-fil-A, there is a culture of discrimination within the company and we would like to ensure that employees can speak out and call attention to those practices without fear of reprisal. It takes time to change the culture of any institution and steps like a corporate policy ensure that progress is made.”

About The Civil Rights Agenda
The Civil Rights Agenda's mission is to maintain and increase individual rights for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) citizens in Illinois through inter-generational volunteerism and community-driven project-based education, statewide coalition and network building, and leadership in supporting underserved communities with the necessary tools that will equip members of those communities with the resources and confidence to establish equality for all persons, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Please find us online atwww.jointcra.org or email us at info@jointcra.org.





Hopefully you are right but your link leads me to believe otherwise -

Also why would the below statement be made if Chick-fil-A has not changed their stance to some degree?

Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno announced the alleged policy change, which he said followed extended negotiations. He said as a result, he would no longer try to block a Chick-fil-A restaurant from opening in his district.

 

[Mudkip]

The reason I'm still weary, but hopeful this is all sham, is that they got the location in Chicago.

I really don't see the Mayor of Chicago having a change of heart for a Christian company.

That said, I really, really, can not find an OFFICIAL release or statement confirming or denying all this.

It's a mystery to me.

 

[Kent]

MSNBC contacted Chik-Fil-A for a statement. The restaurant did not specifically state that it was pulling funding from anti-gay groups but it did say that it wanted to get the debate over gay marriage out of its kitchen.

Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/336618/chi...ating-to-anti-gay-groups/#gL4YdX2QlhWIDokt.99

 

[Be Well]

Statement by CFA, does sound pretty wishy washy. Still not very factual, did they kowtow to leftist fagloving politicians or not; hard to tell.

http://www.chick-fil-a.com/Connect/Contact-Us

Chick-fil-A: Who We Are. A Response to Recent Controversy.

For many months now, Chick-fil-A’s corporate giving has been mischaracterized. And while our sincere intent has been to remain out of this political and social debate, events from Chicago this week have once again resulted in questions around our giving. For that reason, we want to provide some context and clarity around who we are, what we believe and our priorities in relation to corporate giving.

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.

As we have stated, the Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender. We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 restaurants run by independent Owner/Operators.

For better understanding of our corporate giving, please click here to download the PDF document titled
“Chick-fil-A: Who We Are.”

 

[Gercarson]

I do not mind Chick-Fil-A serving everyone and treating everyone with dignity and respect - they should.
But, to start funding or to deny funding the different groups with their different focused agendas will, I hope cost them. I will say that if their knees buckle and they bow to some corporate demand to "just make money" they will lose big time and they should. The very first time I EVER went to their restaurant was to show support for the CEO's stated ideals and his apparent devotion to his core beliefs - as did millions of others. So, now what will those millions do? Will they regret their actions and feel enough remorse to show again, the financial clout of Christians - I hope so.

 

[Be Well]

It is not entirely clear whether they are going to change how/to what they donate. It sort of looks as though they aren't changing, but using weasely words to perhaps placate. AFAIK they never did support "anti-fag" groups, they DID support groups that strengthen (real) marriage and famillies. Looks as though that is not changing. Hopefully the murkiness will clear up.

 

[Kent]

Mainstream media organizations have headlined over the last two days Chick-fil-A’s “change” they claim means the company suddenly is promising not to discriminate against homosexuals – and that it would stop giving money to those organizations that promote traditional marriage.

“Chick-fil-A says it will stop funding antigay groups” proclaimed the Detroit Free Press.


But it appears the facts are that the company’s anti-discrimination policy remains just as it was months ago – before the controversy over owner Dan Cathy’s Christian beliefs erupted – and its donations appear to have had no new directive applied.

The company is not allowing any interviews, but the anti-discrimination policy it proclaims remains the same as it was months ago, and Joe Moreno, a Chicago alderman securely in the pro-homosexual camp, confirmed to WND that the company’s giving should not even have been an issue.

Responding to a question about his review of Chick-fil-A form 990 for 2011, he confirmed that there were no donations “of concern.”

He was asked, “Does the alderman reviewing the 990 for 2011 and finding no donations of concern mean that Chick-fil-A was already meeting a demand before it was even a demand since at least 2010.”

“I believe that is the case,” a statement from Moreno’s office confirmed to WND.

The controversy erupted over the summer, when company CEO Dan Cathy told Baptist Press he was “guilty as charged” for supporting the “biblical definition of the family unit.”

Homosexual lobbyists and activists pounced, promoting a boycott and obtaining statements from city officials such as Chicago’s Moreno that they would crack down on the company over the CEO’s beliefs.

Marriage supporters responded to a campaign by former presidential candidate Gov. Mike Huckabee for a “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” by lining up by the thousands at stories. Additionally, more than 6.3 million people have “liked” Chick-fil-A on Facebook.

Now the headlines have developed that the company “Ceases Anti-gay Donations.”

Moreno jumped before the cameras to say he has “finalized” negotiations with Chick-fil-A with a promise that the company no longer will give money to anti-”gay” organizations.

He said in an interview with Current.com that a statement had been obtained that the company no longer would donate to pro-marriage organizations, and “I also recently reviewed their 990 statement, which is a statement that shows all of their givings, they they must submit publicly in the spring, and as of this date they haven’t given a dollar to those groups.”

But the most recent 990 form would cover 2011, meaning there was no “objectionable” giving, according to Moreno, as long back as 21 months – predating any of the flap over Cathy’s statements.

The company also had posted when the controversy erupted a statement on its website announcing it would not discriminate on the basis of gender orientation. The months-old statement, which at that time was represented as stating an existing policy, said, “The Chick-fil-A culture and service tradition in our restaurants is to treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender.”

Moreno, however, told Cenk Uygur on “The Young Turks” just this week that, “This is the first time in the company’s history that they’ve done this [stated a non-discrimination policy]. 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’ve changed their tune, it’s a big step for the community.”

It was a statement from The Civil Rights Agenda that prompted the recent headlines. It stated that Moreno “finalized” negotiations with the company with a promise to no longer give money to “anti-gay” organizations.

The statement said of the Cathy family’s foundation, the WinShape Foundation, “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.”

But it was in July when the company stated, “Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.”

The Civil Rights Agenda didn’t name groups, but others did. One was the National Organization for Marriage, which responded immediately, “Despite recent news articles claiming Chick-fil-A’s WinShape Foundation donated money to our organization – this is false. The National Organization for Marriage has never received funding from them. We support Chick-fil-A’s philosophy that every person is treated with ‘honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their belief, race, creed, sexual orientation or gender;’ and we will continue to endorse ‘Chick-fil-A Wednesdays’ calling upon all supporters of marriage, free speech and religious liberty to thank Chick-fil-A’s president, Dan Cathy, for taking a courageous stand to speak out in defense of marriage and his freedom to speak.”

The Family Research Council also was mentioned, and told WND that it has gotten nothing since a $1,000 donation in 2010.

Focus on the Family was also mentioned, but declined WND’s request for comment.

Even Anthony Martinez, TCRA executive director, said in an interview with Windy City Media Group that the language Chick-Fil-A uses in its non-discrimination policy hasn’t changed.

The site reported Martinez said, “With regard to policy, there really isn’t that much of a change.”

Moreno disagreed. He issued a statement Wednesday that “the company today as put into writing, for the first time, that its employees are to ‘treat every person with honor, dignity and respect – regardless of their beliefs, race, creed, sexual orientation and gender…”

But he admitted that the issue of corporate donations was a nonstarter from the beginning.

“I corroborated what they told me back in January; that donations to anti-gay groups … have ceased.”

WND earlier reported when a similar scenario arose involving the Boy Scouts.

In what had the appearance of a coordinated media effort to pressure the Boy Scouts of America, a private organization, to change its membership policy and allow participation by open or avowed homosexuals, a slew of reports were generated announcing the group is considering that idea.

But it wasn’t actually so.

The organization posted an online announcement that “Contrary to media reports, the Boy Scouts of America has no plans to change its membership policy. The introduction of a resolution does not indicate the organization is ‘reviewing’ a policy or signal a change in direction.”

What happened was that pro-homosexual activists from the online petition organization change.org issued a press release claiming that unnamed “sources have confirmed Boy Scouts of America officials are considering a new policy for 2013 that would allow local charter organizations to decide whether or not to accept gay scouts and leaders.”

Scout officials confirmed that just because someone wants change, or proposes a change, doesn’t mean it will happen.


http://www.wnd.com/2012/09/gay-advocates-cook-up-chick-fil-a-fairytale/

 

[Mudkip]

I didn't think Chick Fil A's hiring and customer service policies were even an issue or at all misconstrued to be inflammatory or discriminating. I feel like there's a whole chunk of the dialogue I'm missing.

All I want to know is if all those people who stood in line, have supported them since, and planned to continue patronage for a company that decided to stand up and say "No, this is who we are and what we believe and we will not change that for you" was all for naught.

So often people get railroaded for their beliefs and I'm tired of it. I'm tired of hearing "freedom FROM religion" and "separation of church and state." A good many people need a large chunk of American History drilled into them. The more businesses that fight back and make it quite clear we live in a free nation with both speech and religious freedoms guaranteed by our constitution, the better.

QUIT WITH THE DOUBLE TALK MEDIA STATEMENTS, CHICK FIL A. ANSWER THE DAMN QUESTION. YOU AREN'T OBAMA-FIL-A for crissakes.

 

[night driver]

http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?413431

 

[Warthog]

I liked their food because they didn't cave in, now I don't know if I can eat their again.

 

[Foothiller]

Why would anyone trust any corporation when a corporation's sole purpose is to maximize profits?

I feel sort of sorry for all the people who supported this company with their words and their money. They were duped.

first CFA makes a bunch of money off the anti-gay crowd, then when the hoopla dies down, they go right into the pro-gay market and want to make money off of them too.

When are Americans going to learn that no corporation or politician gives a shit about them or their interests?

They care about $$.

Their Motus Operendi is this: Me First, F**k You.

I don't eat at chick filet. Too expensive and it's just as unhealthy as any of the other gay-loving fast food joints.

I make my own food 99% of the time.

I buy stuff second hand whenever possible and I minimize my holdings of fiat currency.

Why? Because I understand that in this ponziconomy, the MO is just what I wrote above. From the bottom to the top.

The only guiding principle is: How can I make more $$ without regard to anything like ethics or morals.

 

[billet]

I agree. It wasn't too long ago that society thought sodomy was evil and criminal. It just goes to show how screwed up the US has become.

Amen and Amen!!!!

 

[eXe]

This turned out to be a hoax, see this thread..

http://www.timebomb2000.com/vb/showthread.php?413431

Thread closed by OP request.