ATLANTA — After controversial comments made by Chick-fil-A's president reheated the debate over gay marriage, the company is now saying it will leave the issue to politicians.
"Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena," the Atlanta-based restaurant chain said in an e-mailed statement to Channel 2 Action News.
In July, company president Dan Cathy told an online publication that he supports "the biblical definition of the family unit," which many regard as opposing gay marriage.
Opponents called for boycotts and staged kiss-ins, while supporters packed restaurants on an unofficial Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day.
On Tuesday, the Civil Rights Agenda, a Chicago-based lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender advocacy group, reported that Chick-fil-A officials wrote in an internal memo that they will no longer give money to anti-gay organizations.
Chick-fil-A did not address the donations in its statement to Channel 2 but 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. We will continue this tradition in the over 1,600 restaurants run by independent owner/operators."
WSBTV
