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Chick-fil-A's first UK restaurant sparks LGBT rights row | Chick-fil-A's first UK restaurant sparks LGBT rights row |
(about 4 hours later) | |
LGBT campaigners are calling for a boycott of a popular US restaurant chain's first UK branch. | LGBT campaigners are calling for a boycott of a popular US restaurant chain's first UK branch. |
Chick-fil-A, the third-largest fast-food chain in the US, made its British restaurant debut last week in the Oracle shopping centre in Reading. | Chick-fil-A, the third-largest fast-food chain in the US, made its British restaurant debut last week in the Oracle shopping centre in Reading. |
But campaigners say the chain supports anti-LGBT groups, and in 2012 the company's chairman sparked a US boycott when he said he opposed gay marriage. | But campaigners say the chain supports anti-LGBT groups, and in 2012 the company's chairman sparked a US boycott when he said he opposed gay marriage. |
Chick-fil-A said it was focused on great food and genuine hospitality. | Chick-fil-A said it was focused on great food and genuine hospitality. |
The food chain, founded in 1967, boasts about 2,400 outlets in the US and Canada. | The food chain, founded in 1967, boasts about 2,400 outlets in the US and Canada. |
According to US news website Think Progress, in 2017 the Chick-fil-A Foundation donated millions of dollars to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Paul Anderson Youth Home and the Salvation Army. | According to US news website Think Progress, in 2017 the Chick-fil-A Foundation donated millions of dollars to the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Paul Anderson Youth Home and the Salvation Army. |
'Sum of many experiences' | 'Sum of many experiences' |
Campaigners say all three organisations have a reputation of being hostile to LGBT+ rights. | Campaigners say all three organisations have a reputation of being hostile to LGBT+ rights. |
Among those who would like to see the restaurant close is Jennie Rigg, former chair of the LGBT+ Liberal Democrats. | Among those who would like to see the restaurant close is Jennie Rigg, former chair of the LGBT+ Liberal Democrats. |
She told the BBC: "In terms of ethical shopping, I'm not going to give my money to a company that will give their money to people who want to eradicate people like me." | She told the BBC: "In terms of ethical shopping, I'm not going to give my money to a company that will give their money to people who want to eradicate people like me." |
Chick-fil-A told the BBC: "Our giving has always focused on youth and education. We have never donated with the purpose of supporting a social or political agenda. | Chick-fil-A told the BBC: "Our giving has always focused on youth and education. We have never donated with the purpose of supporting a social or political agenda. |
"There are 145,000 people - black, white; gay, straight; Christian, non-Christian - who represent Chick-fil-A. | "There are 145,000 people - black, white; gay, straight; Christian, non-Christian - who represent Chick-fil-A. |
" We are the sum of many experiences, but what we all have in common is a commitment to providing great food, genuine hospitality, and a welcoming environment to all of our guests." | " We are the sum of many experiences, but what we all have in common is a commitment to providing great food, genuine hospitality, and a welcoming environment to all of our guests." |
It added that it stopped donating to the Paul Anderson Youth Home in 2017. | It added that it stopped donating to the Paul Anderson Youth Home in 2017. |
The Salvation Army said: "It is simply not the case that The Salvation Army wants to eradicate anyone. | |
"We are a church and charity that supports some of the most vulnerable people in society." | |
It added: "We oppose any discrimination, marginalisation or persecution of any person. | |
"We find no scriptural support for demeaning or mistreating anyone for any reason." | |
A statement from the Oracle said it was proud to offer an inclusive space where members of the community can come together. | A statement from the Oracle said it was proud to offer an inclusive space where members of the community can come together. |