Peter Tatchell to lead protest as Chick-fil-A opens first London restaurant

Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell will lead a protest this Thursday, 5 March at the opening of the first London branch of the US fast food giant Chick-fil-A, in Kingston upon Thames. 

The picket will take place at 10am outside the restaurant at 90 Eden Street, Kingston upon Thames, KT1 1JD, as campaigners challenge the company over its past funding of organisations that oppose LGBTQ+ equality. 

The protest organisers, the Peter Tatchell Foundation, have repeatedly attempted to engage Chick-fil-A in dialogue.

Peter Tatchell said: “We have been unable to secure assurances that Chick-fil-A will not in future fund homophobic organisations that campaign against LGBTQ+ human rights. Every letter and request for a meeting has been ignored. 

“Our protest calls on Chick-fil-A to publicly commit to ending all financial support for organisations promoting discrimination. Until we have that commitment, consumers should boycott Chick-fil-A."

Peter Tatchell added: “Chick-fil-A’s US charitable arm has donated millions to organisations that oppose same-sex marriage, promote so-called conversion therapy, and campaign against laws to protect LGBTQ+ people from discrimination.

“These include donations to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Focus on the Family and the National Christian Charitable Foundation - groups that have campaigned against the US Equality Act and continue to promote discriminatory homophobic laws and policies.”

Tatchell said the Foundation had sought dialogue with the company prior to the protest.

“We have repeatedly written to Chick-fil-A’s US headquarters and to the UK firm that handles its public relations, Lexington Communications. We asked Chick-fil-A to give assurances that it will not fund individuals, organisations and campaigns that oppose LGBTQ+ human rights. They have refused to give any assurances.

“The Peter Tatchell Foundation again urges Chick-fil-A to renounce all funding of anti-LGBTQ+ organisations. 

“Chick-fil-A’s funding of bigotry is out of step with British values. We urge consumers to boycott their restaurants. There should be no place in the UK for a business that uses its profits to fund prejudice.”

The protest is the latest action by the Peter Tatchell Foundation calling on Chick-fil-A to commit to LGBTQ+ equality as it expands into the UK market.