Chick-Fil-A Makes Nice By Congratulating a Gay Couple
 |
| Chick-fil-A trainer Dougie with husband Toby. Credit: Facebook |
A Chick-fil-A franchise in Orem, Utah, has become the focus of renewed culture war backlash after publicly congratulating a same-sex couple on their marriage, prompting outrage from conservative Christian media outlets and activists who say the fast-food chain has strayed too far from its religious roots.
Earlier in December, the Orem Plaza Chick-fil-A shared a Facebook post celebrating the wedding of Dougie and Toby, two men pictured outside the restaurant. “CONGRATULATIONS TO THE HAPPY COUPLE! Dougie & Toby recently got married, and we are so beyond happy for them!” According to multiple reports, Dougie is a longtime team trainer at the location.
What appeared to many customers as a simple message of support quickly drew criticism from ultra-conservative outlets. Commentary published by The Washington Stand, a publication affiliated with the Family Research Council, argues the franchise was promoting what it called values “at odds with Scripture” and cited biblical passages condemning same-sex relationships. The article argued that the post reflected a broader failure by Chick-fil-A to distance itself from LGBTQ+ inclusion.
Other conservative media figures echoed those claims, framing the Facebook post as evidence that the company has embraced what they described as “wokeness.” Some commentators argued that even a single franchise celebrating a same-sex marriage demonstrated a larger cultural shift within the brand, particularly given Chick-fil-A’s long-standing association with conservative Christianity.
When critics contacted Chick-fil-A’s corporate headquarters to complain, the company declined to disavow the post. Instead, at least one complainant received a response reaffirming Chick-fil-A’s commitment to inclusion. In that statement, the company said it “embraces all people, regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity.”
The reaction marks a reversal of roles for a company that has spent more than a decade being harshly criticized by LGBTQ+ advocates. Chick-fil-A and its charitable foundation, WinShape, were previously criticized for donating to organizations with anti-LGBTQ+ policies, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Salvation Army. In 2012, former CEO Dan Cathy drew national attention after publicly endorsing “the biblical definition of the family,” sparking protests and boycotts.
In 2019, Chick-fil-A announced it would stop funding organizations with anti-LGBTQ+ agendas and refocus its charitable giving on issues such as hunger, education, and homelessness. The 2019 announcement drew mixed reactions from the LGBTQ+ community; some saw it as a step forward, while others questioned the company’s long-term sincerity.
Now, conservative Christians who once championed Chick-fil-A as a faith-aligned brand are expressing frustration and disillusionment. Despite the backlash, many commenters on social media praised the Utah franchise’s post, describing it as a respectful celebration of two employees’ happiness.
Chick-fil-A operates more than 3,100 locations nationwide and reported $22 billion in systemwide sales in 2024. Each restaurant is independently operated, allowing franchise owners significant discretion. For now, corporate leadership appears unwilling to publicly rebuke a franchise for affirming LGBTQ+ employees, even as some former allies are reportedly threatening boycotts of the restaurant and the nationwide chain.
Comments