Republican Mike Huckabee says Chick-fil-A has ‘betrayed’ millions by cutting funding to homophobic groups
Mike Huckabee is very upset about Chick-fil-A (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
Republican Mike Huckabee is raging about Chick-fil-A’s pledge to no longer fund anti-LGBT groups.
The former governor of Arkansas, and the father of former Trump official Sarah Huckabee Sanders, hit out at the chicken chain after it promised to end funding for Christian charities that lobby for anti-LGBT+ discrimination.
Mike Huckabee is very upset about Chick-fil-A.
Huckabee tweeted: “The sad message of @ChickfilA is quite clear- they surrendered to anti- Christian hate groups. Tragic.”
The Republican politician, an avowed opponent of LGBT+ rights, has long been a long-time fan of the chicken chain’s funding for anti-LGBT+ groups – even hosting a “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” in 2012 to oppose a boycott from LGBT+ groups.
Fox News contributors Gov. Mike Huckabee and his daughter Sarah Huckabee Sanders (Steven Ferdman/Getty Images)
He tweeted: “In Aug 2012, I coordinated a national @ChickfilA Appreciation Day after they were being bullied by militant hate groups. Millions showed up.
“Today, @ChickfilA betrayed loyal customers for $$. I regret believing they would stay true to convictions of founder Truett Cathey. Sad.”
Meanwhile, former Fox News personality Todd Starnes tweeted: “It won’t be long before you will see a @ChickfilA cow in drag.”
Others on the right also hit out at the chain, with Congressman Chip Roy attacking the “capitulation”.
Chick-fil-A still lacks protections for LGBT+ employees.
Despite the decision to end donations to anti-LGBT charities, GLAAD pointed out that it still lacks non-discrimination protections.
Drew Anderson of GLAAD said: “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 organisations like Focus on the Family, which exist purely to harm LGBTQ people and families.
“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.
“In addition to refraining from financially supporting anti-LGBTQ organisations, Chick-fil-A still lacks policies to ensure safe workplaces for LGBTQ employees and should unequivocally speak out against the anti-LGBTQ reputation that their brand represents.”
