Chick-fil-A is crossing two anti-LGBTQ charities off its donation list, news that delighted pro-LGBTQ fried chicken fans on Monday — who said they’ll be more likely to roll out the welcome mat when the fast food chain opens its first Boston location next year.
Beginning in 2020, the Chick-fil-a Foundation said it will be “introducing a more focused giving approach to deepen its giving to a smaller number of organizations,” according to Monday’s statement. That shortened list no longer includes the Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes — two organizations that have taken controversial stands on homosexuality and same-sex marriage.
“If in fact they are genuinely backing off of being anti-LGBTQ, then I say welcome to Boston — but that’s a big if,” said Arline Isaacson, co-chair of the Massachusetts Gay and Lesbian Political Caucus.
The late Mayor Thomas Menino made headlines when he blocked Chick-fil-A from opening in the city over the same-sex marriage issue, a stance Mayor Martin Walsh softened.
Boston residents will “Eat Mor Chikin” soon — the Zoning Board of Appeals in February gave approval for the Atlanta-based chain to open in Copley Square.
The company will replace Boloco — which shut down last month — at 569 Boylston St.
A company spokeswoman told the Herald at the time that it plans to open the city’s first Chick-fil-A sometime in 2020, but as of Monday afternoon the company had still not filed for a food and beverage license — the last hurdle standing in its way.
Isaacson said she “doesn’t doubt” the announcement is a bid by Chick-fil-A to recoup business from the LGBTQ community that has for years boycotted the company, but she said she’s “perfectly happy” to welcome people who go from being against the LGBTQ community to supporting it.
Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy has made press-friendly statements saying it was a mistake to enter the marriage debate, but he has not apologized for his previous comments supporting anti-LGBTQ groups.
“In my opinion any day, any time a large corporation decides to stop funding anti-LGBTQ groups is a good day — a very good day, and I hope that they follow through on it,” Isaacson said.
Isaacson said it will be important to “lift the covers” to hold Chick-fil-A responsible and make sure they aren’t secretly still funding anti-LGBTQ groups.
Drew Anderson, director of campaigns and rapid response for GLAAD, a pro-LGBTQ organization, said Chik-fil-A has been caught before after pledging to stop donations to organizations that vilify same-sex marriage.
“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 exist purely to harm LGBTQ people and families,” he said. “Chick-Fil-A investors, employees, and customers can greet today’s announcement with cautious optimism, but should remember that similar press statements were previously proven to be empty.”
