FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012

Contact: Wayne Besen, Executive Director
Phone: 917-691-5118
E-Mail: wbesen@truthwinsout.org

The Brand Has Become ‘The New Fur’ In Major Metro Areas, Says TWO

Burlington, Vt. — Truth Wins Out called “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” a marketing monstrosity that will permanently tie the chicken chain to polarizing political figures such as Mike Huckabee and Sarah Palin. Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy’s lavish funding of anti-gay organizations has also badly tarnished the brand and has turned the product radioactive in America’s major metropolitan regions.

“Eating Chick-fil-A is now as controversial as wearing fur and it has become a chain that one does not admit frequenting in polite company,” said Truth Wins Out’s Executive Director Wayne Besen. “Many Americans won’t be patronizing a restaurant endorsed by polarizing figures such as Sarah Palin and Mike Huckabee. In terms of branding, Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day is a marketing monstrosity.”

Chick-fil-A’s president, Dan Cathy, created a furor when he claimed that those who support marriage equality for same sex couples are “inviting God’s judgment on our nation.” The comments caused several mayors of major cities, such as Boston, Chicago, and Washington, DC to express their contempt for the food chain. In response to the criticism, several right wing politicians urged Americans to Eat at Chick-fil-A today to show their support.

This controversy extends beyond Cathy’s comments and includes his more than $5 million in donations to anti-gay organizations such as the Family Research Council. His Winshape Foundation has also contributed to Exodus International, which has worked in the past to help people “pray away the gay.”

“Chick-fil-A was fortunate that the majority of Americans were not aware of their offensive views and backward policies,” said TWO’s Besen. “Thanks to Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day, most consumers will finally understand that this isn’t just fast food, it’s fundie food. A good portion of these folks will choose to take their business elsewhere.”

Truth Wins Out is a nonprofit organization that fights anti-LGBT extremism. TWO specializes in turning information into action by organizing, advocating and fighting for LGBT equality.

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