Chick-Fil-A, the Christian fast food giant, today announced they will “leave” the marriage debate — a so-called “exit” that seems like business as usual. In a three-paragraph statement the 1600-outlet $4.5 billion chicken purveyor published to their Facebook page, Chick-Fil-A claims it will now “leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena,” entirely consistent with their previously-stated practices.
READ: Like Chick-Fil-A? They Really, Really Don’t Like You.
Chick-Fil-A has been getting pounded for statements its COO, Dan Cathy, recently made, including his now infamous, prideful acknowledgment, “guilty as charged” in response to questions he and Chick-Fil-A are working to stop same-sex marriage.
READ:Â Chick-Fil-A Has Spent $5 Million On Groups Trying To Stop Gay Marriage
But no where in their statement does Chick-Fil-A say they will stop supporting anti-gay hate groups and other organizations that are actively working to deny rights to the LGBT community. In fact, the statement promises the company will not stop “devoting a percentage of our profits back to our communities.”
Read the full statement:
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. Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena.
Chick-fil-A is a family-owned and family-led company serving the communities in which it operates. From the day Truett Cathy started the company, he began applying biblically-based principles to managing his business. For example, we believe that closing on Sundays, operating debt-free and devoting a percentage of our profits back to our communities are what make us a stronger company and Chick-fil-A family.
Our mission is simple: to serve great food, provide genuine hospitality and have a positive influence on all who come in contact with Chick-fil-A.
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Bottom line: Chick-Fil-A may be trying to appear that they’ve seen the light, are changing their ways, but there is no indication whatsoever they will stop spending millions of dollars on groups that are actively working to demonize gay people and stop spending millions of dollars fighting same-sex marriage.