Chick-fil-A Caves To Pressure From LGBTQ Activists
[guest post by Dana]
[T]he charitable arm affiliated with Chick-fil-A revealed that it had overhauled its donation strategy and had stopped giving money to several organizations — donations that had long angered LGBTQ activists.
The Chick-fil-A Foundation announced in a statement that it planned to concentrate its giving in the areas of education, homelessness and hunger, and that it planned to work with a smaller number of charities than it had previously. It plans to reassess its giving annually, instead of entering into multiyear arrangements with charities, it said. The groups it gives to “could include faith-based and non-faith-based charities,” the foundation said.
But the bigger news was which organizations would not be getting millions in Chick-fil-A money: A representative confirmed to The Washington Post that it had ceased giving to Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Salvation Army, two religiously affiliated charities, after multiyear commitments ended in 2018.
It’s particularly sad to see the Salvation Army on the donation hit list, given their incredible service to those in need. Whether one is a victim of a natural disaster, or hungry, in need of shelter, combatting addiction, unemployed, homeless, elderly, or a victim of domestic abuse or human trafficking, the Salvation Army stands at the ready. But the squeaky wheel gets the grease, and this time it’s the LGBTQ activists selfishly protesting Chick-fil-A’s support of the wonderful organization because hurt feelings. Oh, boo-hoo. This makes me angry. When one considers that Chick-fil-A’s support of the charity has allowed untold numbers of hurting individuals to be helped, those complaining should be ashamed. Would these activists wish that the untold numbers helped by the Salvation Army via Chick-fil-A’s financial support, not have been helped but instead left to continue in their suffering? Would they take back those meals, the shelter, the clothing, the life-saving efforts made on behalf of the wounded and lost? Will they themselves now step into the breach with the same help and service to any in need? Will their hands be willing and open to anyone, of any faith, of any color or stripe, as are the Salvation Army workers? It’s tragic that this decision comes as a result of a selfish group of angry activists who hate Christian organizations that won’t toe the required line of wokeness and instead dare to brazenly go about the quiet business of offering love and hope, and lending a hand to those in need.
And how does the Salvation Army feel about the LGBTQ folks? Let’s read the organization’s own mission statement specific to that group:
Because LGBTQ Americans living in poverty often experience unacceptable homophobia and transphobia, many become homeless.
A majority of homeless LGBTQ people end up on the streets before they turn 18, and one in four is homeless before turning 16.
The Salvation Army is committed to serving the LGBTQ community through shelter…job training…help with substance abuse…food insecurity…and teenage suicide.
In a statement released in response to Chick-fil-A’s decision, the Salvation Army reiterated their willingness to serve the LGBTQ community, and made it clear that their actions back up their words:
“We’re saddened to learn that a corporate partner has felt it necessary to divert funding to other hunger, education and homelessness organizations — areas in which The Salvation Army, as the largest social services provider in the world, is already fully committed. We serve more than 23 million individuals a year, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. In fact, we believe we are the largest provider of poverty relief to the LGBTQ+ population. When misinformation is perpetuated without fact, our ability to serve those in need, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, religion or any other factor, is at risk. We urge the public to seek the truth before rushing to ill-informed judgment and greatly appreciate those partners and donors who ensure that anyone who needs our help feels safe and comfortable to come through our doors.”
Additionally, here is a portion of the organization’s non-discrimination policy:
“A diverse range of views on homosexuality exist within The Salvation Army — as among the wider Christian (and non-Christian) community,” the statement reads. “But no matter where individual Salvationists stand on this matter, The Salvation Army does not permit discrimination on the basis of sexual identity in the delivery of its services or in its employment practices.”
The Salvation Army stands against homophobia, which victimises people and can reinforce feelings of alienation, loneliness and despair. We want to be an inclusive church community where members of the LGBTQ community find welcome and the encouragement to develop their relationship with God.
Enraging, right??
Here is how the LGBTQ community responded to the news:
… LGBTQ activists were not immediately impressed. “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,” said Drew Anderson, director of campaigns and rapid response for GLAAD, in an emailed statement. “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.”
Chick-Fil-A can certainly support whatever charity they choose, but caving in to the complaints of a small group of individuals because they don’t like the beliefs of those coming to the aid of hurting people is disgusting. Make your stand, and let the chips fall where they will knowing that the ultimate reward comes later, and is for all of eternity. Chick-fil-A consistently fills a unique niche in the evangelical community. Their supporters have long shown their loyalty to the organization that has been unabashedly pro-faith and lived out their ideals in their business dealings. All of this makes it confusing as to why they would choose to surrender to the angry mob.
I’ll leave with this thought: If I were hurting, hungry, homeless, or facing any sort of the devastating things that can happen in this life, and a group came alongside me offering a hand of hope and solace, sustenance and shelter, I don’t think I’d question their views on any social issue because, not only would that be a luxury I could ill afford, but all I would care about was that I was being handed a lifeline. I’m pretty sure my heart would be overflowing with gratitude. This offering of hope and help wedded together represents the vibrant, earth-shattering-life-changing thunderously deep, quiet love God has for His creation. Like many of you, I also know this because I’ve had any number of opportunities to be on the flip-side, and come alongside those in need. Not once did they, nor did I care about political stands or personal causes. And really, why would I? Why would the person who is in pain, and suffering? Besides providing help, all I really cared about was that they knew that at that very moment in space and time, someone cared about them. That they mattered. And judging from the responses, that’s all that people who are hurting care about too.
(Cross-posted at The Jury Talks Back.)
–Dana
I was disappointed, but I’ll live.
felipe (023cc9) — 11/19/2019 @ 2:43 pmOf course, life will go on, and we will live, but it’s the idea that individuals with the luxury of full tummies and a roof over their heads are making the loudest noise while indirectly denying those without said luxury help that they may need. This is representative of a privileged, first-world selfishness.
Dana (cb74ca) — 11/19/2019 @ 2:45 pmThese people will always be unimpressed until the money goes directly to them. And Gaia help you if you ever stop sending them money.
felipe (023cc9) — 11/19/2019 @ 2:47 pmI am in total agreement with you, Dana. I often leave much unsaid.
felipe (023cc9) — 11/19/2019 @ 2:48 pmThat’s just how liberals are. There was a documentary some years ago about a desperately poor village whose inhabitants were looking forward to a mine opening up nearby so the men could finally go to work. Of course, the environmentalists protested the mine, but not one of the protesters were actually villagers; they were all flown and bused in from elsewhere, and they all — to a man — enjoyed a much higher standard of living than the villagers did. They were literally destroying the village’s chance to lift itself out of poverty in the name of environmentalism.
Gryph (08c844) — 11/19/2019 @ 2:59 pmPopeye’s. Just as good if not better, at two-thirds the price, and five times the locations (in my area). Went to one this past Friday for the first time in 25 years. Completely satisfied with everything.
nk (dbc370) — 11/19/2019 @ 3:02 pmDid you buckle to the craze and get the chicken sandwich, no? That’s a marked safe from on Facebook event for many in this…nation (almost made a shout out to Medved there).
urbanleftbehind (b35441) — 11/19/2019 @ 3:07 pmThat’s why I went in the first place. My daughter requested two sandwiches (for her and her friend). The mild, not the spicy. I also got five pieces of chicken, two biscuits, and lots of fries. The chicken was as I remembered it, on the lean, crispy side. The fries were great.
nk (dbc370) — 11/19/2019 @ 3:27 pmBottom line the LBQTV Community is well-organized and powerful. They are willing to spend money and time pressuring, attacking, and destroying any business that doesn’t do what they want. On the other side is….nothing. Just a bunch of random people, who think “Gosh darn it, isn’t that too bad”.
You can’t beat something with nothing. And if Christians aren’t willing to fight back, they’ll just keep losing – endlessly.
rcocean (1a839e) — 11/19/2019 @ 3:37 pmchick fellet job is selling greasy heart attack food to lower middle class and poor. as coors brewing found out the hard way anti gay activities doesn’t help the bottom line and neither does gays sabotaging the food.
asset (0fcbdc) — 11/19/2019 @ 4:01 pmYeah, the Christian Right is really powerless and without organization in modern America. 🤣
Time123 (7d813a) — 11/19/2019 @ 4:47 pmThe Salvation Army is one of the few charities I donate to, along with the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
Gawain's Ghost (b25cd1) — 11/19/2019 @ 4:50 pmThe Salvation Army has been one of the best charities for helping the unfortunate and ill in American History. Sad that the left has called them a hate group like they do any practicing Christian.
NJRob (80d08c) — 11/19/2019 @ 4:54 pmGLAAD’s response:
Dana (cb74ca) — 11/19/2019 @ 4:59 pmI’ll be curious to see if Chik-fil-A’s franchises or brand take a hit.
Dana (cb74ca) — 11/19/2019 @ 5:01 pmI think that I should donate to GLAAD while separately giving to Salvation Army. Then they could denounce themselves.
Kevin M (19357e) — 11/19/2019 @ 5:02 pmI’ll be curious to see if Chik-fil-A earnings take a hit.
I’d be curious to see if Salvation Army donations go up.
Kevin M (19357e) — 11/19/2019 @ 5:04 pmYeah, the Christian Right is really powerless and without organization in modern America.
Compared to 1994? Without a doubt.
Kevin M (19357e) — 11/19/2019 @ 5:06 pmI am willing to be that Salvation Army spends more money on LGBTQ persons in need than GLAAD does.
Kevin M (19357e) — 11/19/2019 @ 5:07 pm*bet
Kevin M (19357e) — 11/19/2019 @ 5:07 pmNice!
Dana (cb74ca) — 11/19/2019 @ 5:15 pm@as a % or total $?
And what are you willing to count?
Is money spent advocating for equal rights for gays in bounds?
Just want to get the ground rules before I waste time in google.
Time123 (7d813a) — 11/19/2019 @ 5:17 pm@21, could take a look at YOY for December next year.
Time123 (7d813a) — 11/19/2019 @ 5:19 pmDon’t trust corporations with your politics. They go where the money is every time.
Nic (896fdf) — 11/19/2019 @ 5:27 pm@21, could take a look at YOY for December next year.
Perhaps not. Salvation Army does not file 990s with the IRS (so they are not rated by Charity Navigator) because it is a church. They just happen to prioritize charitable work over other things.
That’s from its website. Looking through it, it seems you can make general donations, but not a donation to specific ministries. (They do seem to arrange thinks so that your donation is sent to your local SA.
The link if you want to donate
Kishnevi (2717fb) — 11/19/2019 @ 5:37 pmhttps://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/ways-to-give/
The answer to them, is most definitely YES, and they mean it.
And not because the Salvation Army refuses to help LGTBQP people, which it doesn’t, but because:
Well, that shouldn’t be (according to them)
There should be only ONE point of view, and that is that everything LGTBQP, at least everything that is not illegal, except maybe for relationships involving bosses and subordinates (this can get complicated) is to honored and respected and helped.
And anything else is beyond the pale, like supporting racial discrimination, even a whiff of it.
The Salvation Army is big so it’s important that it take a big part in the shunning and secondary boycotts, or be boycotted itself.
Winning the religious war is more important than anything else. And religious wars are won by force, if not violence, and not by argument.
Sammy Finkelman (c95a5a) — 11/19/2019 @ 5:58 pmThe interesting thing is thatChick-fil-A President Tim Tassopoulos apparently claimed that the negative blowback from the Crybully community was hurting their ability to expand into new markets. This is a privately held business, so why wouldn’t they be happy to just maintain the franchises that they currently have and be satisfied with that? One would think that they are quite profitable. is it really worth alienating so many of your supporters just to be able to expand into Boston, New York, San Francisco, and various airport locations? If the almighty dollar really is much more important than the values of the founders, why the hell don’t they just start opening up on Sundays?
JVW (54fd0b) — 11/19/2019 @ 6:10 pmYep. We’ve been losing with “nothing” ever since they executed our leader. Turning the other cheek and all. But I’m sure we Christians will attend “their” funeral when the times comes, and then we’ll start “losing” to the next group – endlessly.
felipe (023cc9) — 11/19/2019 @ 6:16 pmJVW (54fd0b) — 11/19/2019 @ 6:10 pm
I thought the same thing, JVW.
felipe (023cc9) — 11/19/2019 @ 6:23 pm> If I were hurting, hungry, homeless, or facing any sort of the devastating things that can happen in this life, and a group came alongside me offering a hand of hope and solace, sustenance and shelter, I don’t think I’d question their views on any social issue because, not only would that be a luxury I could ill afford, but all I would care about was that I was being handed a lifeline
and if you were in that kind of devastating situation because your parents had thrown you out of their house because they disapproved of your sexuality, and the group offering you the hand of solace was *also* telling you that your sexuality was sinful and wrong and that god wanted you to reform, would you care about their rhetoric?
aphrael (e0cdc9) — 11/19/2019 @ 6:25 pm2,000 restaurants each grossing an average of $4.7 million a year. How can anybody stand to have so little?
nk (dbc370) — 11/19/2019 @ 6:29 pmI suspect most people would care about the rhetoric but take the help.
Meanwhile, here’s the progressive view on full display.
Kishnevi (2717fb) — 11/19/2019 @ 6:32 pmhttps://www-m.cnn.com/2019/11/19/opinions/chick-fil-a-charity-lgbtq-morgan/index.html
30. The Salvation Army is a Christian church. If you’re worried about being told you’re sinful, there are other charities to go to besides churches. You know, like Goodwill? *SNORT*
Gryph (08c844) — 11/19/2019 @ 7:03 pmSex=identity to too many broken people who demand others approve of their behaviors.
NJRob (80d08c) — 11/19/2019 @ 7:33 pmand if you were in that kind of devastating situation because your parents had thrown you out of their house because they disapproved of your sexuality, and the group offering you the hand of solace was *also* telling you that your sexuality was sinful and wrong and that god wanted you to reform, would you care about their rhetoric?
aphrael (e0cdc9) — 11/19/2019 @ 6:25 pm
The answer is “YES.” Such a reaction is typical. Just as any human who has been kicked out for any reason and had been reduced to begging, and MUCH worse, but still, not having reached bottom, would continue to criticize and bight the hands of those who try to help. And in every case they would be guilty of being ungrateful to the love that moved every hand offered to them. Each miserable, ungrateful soul, being sure that their injustice is like no other injustice. That is, until they reach bottom, having lost everything, and pride, along with it. Then the answer becomes “NO.”
felipe (023cc9) — 11/19/2019 @ 7:34 pmThe idea that GLAAD might feel bad about what they’ve done is ludicrous. The suffering they are willing to impose on others is a sign of their moral superiority – would you be willing to spit in the face of needy people for your beliefs? GLAAD would. That’s just how much they believe in their principles!
Jerryskids (702a61) — 11/19/2019 @ 7:48 pmThis assumes the kid would go to the Salvation Army for help. If they are that convinced that what they will be told is that they are sinful, would they not go elsewhere for help? Surely the LBGTQ community, which is so concerned about this, provides help for those in need. It also assumes that the kid kicked out of his house might not welcome someone providing them something other than what they know. How do you know that at that point of distress, that kid might just want someone to hold their hand, and reassure them of God’s unending love for them. You assume that the Salvation Army worker will be judgmental and harsh. IOW, a stereotypical caricature of a Christian. Why not assume they will be motivated by loving kindness and reflect the spirit of Christ as they come alongside one in need?
Also, if the LGBTQ believes the Salvation Army to be so cruel to those in their community, why would they choose that organization for, well, anything, but especially seeking them out during a time of crisis?
Dana (cb74ca) — 11/20/2019 @ 6:43 pmWhat I see GLAAD as — ok, I won’t shilly-shally, the whole gay movement today — is like a San Francisco urban outdoorsman pooping on the sidewalk. It’s not enough for you to look away and walk-by, you’ve got to hand him toilet paper and invite him to do it in front of your house the next time.
nk (dbc370) — 11/20/2019 @ 7:03 pm37. The Salvation Army is a Christian church. I think it would even be fair to call it a denomination. Anyone uncomfortable with asking a church for help shouldn’t go there, nor should there be shock and awe when its members attempt to proselytize.
Gryph (08c844) — 11/22/2019 @ 7:52 am