Chik fil a anti gay

Following years of controversy, the fast-food establishment Chick-fil-A will no longer contribute financially to two groups advocating against same-sex unions.

The Atlanta-based eatery has drawn criticism from LGBTQ+ advocates for reportedly providing substantial financial support to two Christian organizations: The Salvation Army and the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

The company communicated to ABC News on Monday that, beginning in the upcoming year, it will prioritize donations towards initiatives focusing on poverty alleviation, educational support, and aiding the homeless.

'In 2020, the Chick-fil-A Foundation will adopt a more concentrated approach to charity, providing donations to a select group of organizations actively addressing hunger, homelessness, and educational needs,' stated Chick-fil-A in its official communication on Monday.

'To ensure transparency, we have made our 2018 tax return and a preview of 2019 donations publicly accessible on chick-fil-afoundation.org,' the statement continued. "The Chick-fil-A Foundation's philanthropic endeavors are designed to empower the potential within every child.'

The president and COO of Chick-fil-A, Tim Tassopoulos, further elaborated that no charitable organization, regardless of its religious affiliation, would be excluded from future consideration.

'Our aspiration is to support the most impactful organizations working to combat hunger, homelessness, and foster educational development,' declared Tassopoulos in his statement.

The fast-food chain, with a presence of over two thousand four hundred restaurants nationwide, has faced consistent debate over its stance on LGBTQ+ rights. These debates have included boycotts and counter-boycotts, commencing with CEO Dan Cathy's controversial 2012 assertion that he adhered to a traditional definition of family, specifically emphasizing marriage between a man and a woman.

A representative from Chick-fil-A, responding to an inquiry from the Thomson Reuters Foundation, confirmed the company's fulfillment of multi-year pledges to the specified organizations in 2018.

The spokesperson declined to address the possible influence of public pressure on the donation shift.

The Salvation Army, reacting to the news, expressed their disappointment and labeled the decision as misinformation. The organization reaffirmed its commitment to the LGBTQ+ community.

'The Salvation Army, the world's largest social services provider, is profoundly concerned by this decision to redirect financial assistance. We are saddened to hear a corporate partner has felt it prudent to alter their funding strategy, given our existing extensive efforts in areas of poverty alleviation, education, and support for the homeless population,' stated the organization. "We serve over twenty-three million individuals annually, including those in the LGBTQ+ community. Indeed, we consider ourselves to be the largest provider of relief to the LGBTQ+ community facing poverty. Misinformation jeopardizes our capacity to assist those in need, regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity, or faith. We earnestly appeal to the public to seek the truth before forming hasty judgments. We also appreciate partners and donors who ensure all those seeking our aid feel welcomed and safe.'