Peter Tatchell launches bid to block US fast food chain Chick-fil-A from launching in UK due to "history of funding anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns"
– 2 min read
The Peter Tatchell Foundation has launched a nationwide campaign against the expansion of US fast-food chain Chick-fil-A into the UK, over its "funding of organisations, individuals and campaigns that have lobbied against LGBTQ+ equality".
Chick-fil-A is planning to soon launch its first UK restaurants in Liverpool, Leeds and Kingston upon Thames.
The campaign started today, Thursday, 7 August, with a letter hand-in at the central London offices of Lexington Communications, Chick-fil-A’s PR representatives in the UK.
It was led by Peter Tatchell, accompanied by his assistant, Pliny Soocoormanee, dressed in a chicken costume called RuCluck.
The campaign is working closely with regional LGBTQ+ groups, including Sahir House in Liverpool, to urge local authorities to reject the company’s presence.
According to the Peter Tatchell Foundation, Chick-fil-A has "long faced criticism" for funding organisations that oppose LGBTQ+ rights, including groups that have lobbied against same-sex marriage and laws to protect LGBTs against discrimination.
Despite promises in 2019 to cease such donations, the company leadership has since left the door open to future funding of anti-LGBT+ initiatives.
Peter Tatchell Foundation has has said that Chick-fil-A has refused to answer questions about its current policies:
- Has Chick-fil-A completely ended all donations to organisations that oppose LGBTQ+ rights? When did this funding finally end?
- Will Chick-fil-A give assurances that it will not in future donate to anti-LGBTQ+ individuals, organisations and campaigns?
- Does Chick-fil-A provide full workplace protections for LGBTQ+ employees, including safeguarding against discrimination based on sexual orientation and gender identity?
- Has Chick-fil-A implemented equal opportunities policies and training to foster an inclusive workplace, given past discrimination complaints?
The UK must not host companies with a history of supporting anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination.
Letters have been sent to local MPs, and planning and licensing committee councillors in Kingston, where the first Chick-fil-A restaurant in the UK is expected to open soon. "Other councils will receive letters in the coming weeks," Peter Tatchell Foundation said in a release.
“The UK must not host companies with a history of supporting anti-LGBTQ+ discrimination,” said human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell, Director of the Peter Tatchell Foundation. “Chick-fil-A’s failure to give assurances that it will not in future fund homophobic campaigns suggests its on-going hostility to the LGBT+ community.
"British towns and cities should reject Chick-fil-A’s expansion plans, until the company pledges no more funding of those who oppose LGBTQ+ equality and until it proves its commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion for staff and customers.”
“We have written to Lexington Communications urging it to reconsider its work for Chick-fil-A, asking them not to do public relations for this company until it renounces its past and gives assurances that it will no longer fund anti-LGBTQ+ lobbyists.”
“Our campaign is calling on local councils, planning authorities, MPs, mayors and student unions to oppose new Chick-fil-A franchises, unless the company announces a permanent halt to funding for anti-LGBTQ+ campaigns, organisations and individuals,” added Mr Tatchell.
A campaign website and petition has been launched at Chick-fil-HATE.com
