LGBT rights activists fighting back after a second Chick-fil-A quietly opened in Scotland
Chick-fil-A has donated millions of dollars to anti-gay causes. (Getty)
Disappointment is on the menu for LGBT+ activists after news broke that a Chick-fil-A opened in the Scottish Highlands to near muted fanfare.
An array of Scottish campaigners have called for the closure of the American eatery, which has a detailed and lengthy history of donating to anti-LGBT+ causes and charities.
Macdonald Aviemore Resort saw a branch open earlier this month to scant promotion within its hotel grounds and, according to a spokesperson, has proved “very popular” with hotel guests.
Moreover, a petition was launched today by activist Scott Cuthbertson, manager of LGBTI Scotland, calling for the branch’s closure which has tallied more than 150 signatures.
The revelation another branch had opened followed the ferocious feedback the chain faced when it opened what was reportedly its first location in the UK, in Reading, England.
LGBT+ campaigners call for Chick-fil-A closure: ‘Consumers vote with their feet.’
Cuthbertson told PinkNews: “I started the petition after hearing at the weekend that Chick-fil-A had quietly opened an eatery here in Scotland.
“This is an organisation which has spent millions of dollars funding organisations which actively oppose equality for LGBT people.
“Scotland is a country with a proud LGBT legislative record, and the opening of such a restaurant isn’t compatible with that.
He continued: “Chick-fil-A need to learn that if they spend millions supporting anti-LGBT organisations that there should be consequences, consumers vote with their feet.
“Quietly sneaking into Scotland when you’ve been rejected south of the border won’t wash.”
Scottish LGBT+ groups fight back: ‘We are obviously disappointed to see that the hotel was allowed a business with an atrocious anti-LGBTQ track to open.’
Furthermore, several activist groups have released statements disquieting the branch opening as well as highlighting their support for Cuthbertson’s petition.
Tell anti-LGBT Chick-fil-A to get the chuck out of Scotland. @MacAviemore
Sign the petition today ⬇️https://t.co/xKveBB3wG6
— Pink Saltire SCIO (@PinkSaltire) October 28, 2019
https://twitter.com/LewisIWhyte/status/1188794706572054528
Here's our thoughts on #ChickfilA 'very quietly' opening up at @MacAviemore 3 weeks ago 🤨👇#HighlandPride #LGBTQ #CluckOffChickfilA #Highlands #Aviemore pic.twitter.com/vXICJTBz8W— Highland Pride 🏳️🌈 (@PrideHighland) October 28, 2019
Highland LGBT Forum, a charity based in Inverness, commented that group leaders are pressing for the closure of the Chick-fil-A.
“We are obviously disappointed to see that the hotel was allowed a business with an atrocious anti-LGBTQ track to open in Aviemore, especially so soon after the public and media backlash from the Reading store opening,” a news release on Twitter read.
Shame on @MacdonaldHotels for allowing a Chick-fil-A to be opened at their resort in Aviemore! By welcoming to Scotland an anti-LGBT+ company who donates money to organisations responsible for conversion therapy you are complicit in those very hate crimes. #MacdonaldHotels— Nelly Queeresa Kelly (@NellyKellyWrite) October 28, 2019
The group then urged Scottish locals to write to their local members of parliament and the hotel itself to share their thoughts.
Chick-fil-A is proving “very popular” and hotel is “pleased” the company is investing in it.
A spokesperson for Macdonald Aviemore Resort told PinkNews: “Chick-fil-A is an enormously successful business, with over 2,300 restaurants in the US.
“We are pleased to have them invest in the Aviemore economy, where the restaurant is proving extremely popular.
“It’s vital to underline that, in both our recruitment and our customer care, we treat everyone with respect, regardless of race, religion, sexuality or gender.”
