Trump ally Franklin Graham is thrilled that Chick-fil-A haven’t abandoned their anti-LGBT beliefs
Trump pastor Franklin Graham says he received ‘personal’ assurances from the CEO of Chick-fil-A (Getty)
The CEO of Chick-fil-A has “personally” assured anti-LGBT pastor Franklin Graham that the company would not renounce its beliefs.
Reports emerged on Monday that the fast food chicken chain was set to pull the plug on donations to anti-LGBT lobbying groups, after a years-long boycott.
However, the company quickly bucked under pressure from Republicans and other anti-LGBT conservatives, making an apparent U-turn.
Franklin Graham, an evangelical anti-LGBT pastor with close ties to the Trump administration, revealed he had received assurances from the company’s CEO.
Franklin Graham: Chick-fil-A CEO told me they haven’t changed
In a Facebook post, he wrote: “Some are saying they’ve rolled over, that they’ve conceded to the LGBTQ protests because they released a statement about their charitable giving.
“[But] I picked up the phone and called Dan Cathy. Dan was very clear that they have not bowed down to anyone’s demands, including the LGBTQ community.
“They will continue to support whoever they want to support. They haven’t changed who they are or what they believe.
“Chick-fil-A remains committed to Christian values. Dan Cathy assured me that this isn’t going to change. I hope all those who jumped to the wrong conclusion about them read this.”
Franklin Graham with US President Donald Trump during a Trump rally on August 22, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Ralph Freso/Getty)
Graham added: “In my opinion, the gay movement wouldn’t ever be happy with Chick-fil-A unless they were open on Sunday, gave all of their charitable donations to LGBTQ organizations, and flew the rainbow flag over their stores!
“Their hatred for Chick-fil-A is rooted in founder Truett Cathy’s strong stand for biblical ‘traditional’ values and his desire to honour God.”
Pastor has close ties to Trump despite anti-LGBT+ record
Graham has a lengthy anti-LGBT+ record.
In May, Graham was photographed posing with Mike Pence in the White House, just days after accusing gay Democrat Pete Buttigieg of “flaunting” his sexuality.
Graham has previously praised Vladimir Putin’s anti-gay laws and told crowds in Russia that homosexuals “cannot have children, they can take other people’s children”.
He has also claimed there had been a “moral 9/11” in America due to homosexuals and has declared that gay people are “the enemy” of civilisation.
