The principal at a Louisiana high school turned down a free lunch for teachers because he claims the company harbors “anti-LGBTQ” views.
Steven Corbett, principal of Lusher High School, declined a lunch catered through the College Football Playoff Foundation. Corbett said that the chicken chain’s views don’t align with those of his high school, according to Fox News.
“Out of respect to our LGBTQ staff, we have chosen to not serve Chick-fil-A at an employee lunch. The #1 rule at Lusher is to ‘Be Kind’ and we live this motto every day,” Corbett said in a statement. “Chick-fil-A has been politically outspoken about its views, and we feel it is not part of Lusher’s culture of kindness and community.”
Chick-fil-A’s CEO Dan Cathy has spoken out against gay marriage in the past, and the fast food chain was also criticized by gay rights activists after the Chick-fil-A Foundation donated more than $1.8 million to groups like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, whose statement of faith says that “marriage is exclusively the union of one man and one woman.”
“Anytime an organization is anti-LGBTQ and has efforts to infringe upon their rights, we thought it was important to support and stand up for their community at this time,” Corbett said.
In response to the move, the College Football Playoff Foundation said it would still provide teachers a free lunch, just from another restaurant.
“[We are just] glad teachers will have a good lunch tomorrow,” said CFPF spokesman Tony Fay.
A spokesperson from Chick-fil-A said in a statement, “We are a restaurant company focused on food and hospitality and have no political or social agenda. Our priority is on providing a welcoming and respectful environment for our guests and Team Members.”
