THEN AND NOW: How Chick-Fil-a Has Changed
Protests against the company predate the chain's controversial donations and comments made by Dan T. Cathy.
In 2002, a Houston Chick-fil-A restaurant manager sued the chain for discrimination, according to Forbes. The employee, who is Muslim, claimed he was fired one day after refusing to pray to Jesus along with their fellow coworkers during a training session. Forbes states that the suit was settled out of court on undisclosed terms.
Then, in 2011, a Pennsylvania Chick-fil-A prompted a nationwide boycott of the chain when the restaurant provided free lunch to a Valentine's Day marriage seminar sponsored by the Pennsylvania Family Institute, a controversial "pro-family" group that has spoken out against same-sex marriage.
The decision prompted criticism, including a petition that gathered thousands of signatures urging Chick-fil-A to stop discriminating against LGBTQ people. However, the franchise in question claimed the decision to donate food was not motivated by any anti-LGBTQ sentiments.
"It's absolutely, categorically blown out of proportion," the Pennsylvania franchise owner Brian Gibson said, according to Penn Live. "We donate food all the time. We certainly don't take into consideration anyone's political affiliations or anything like that. We just like to feed people."
Dan T. Cathy released a statement in 2011 following the accusations that Chick-fil-A was anti-LGBTQ, saying, "In recent weeks, we have been accused of being anti-gay. We have no agenda against anyone. At the heart and soul of our company, we are a family business that serves and values all people regardless of their beliefs or opinions. We seek to treat everyone with honor, dignity, and respect and believe in the importance of loving your neighbor as yourself."
Cathy continued, saying, "While my family and I believe in the Biblical definition of marriage, we love and respect anyone who disagrees ... Chick-fil-A's Corporate Purpose is 'To glorify God by being a faithful steward of all that is entrusted to us, and to have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.' As a result, we will not champion any political agendas on marriage and family."
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