In the 11 months since Chick-fil-A was outed for donating almost $2 million to anti-gay groups, questions have been raised about the unethical charitable practices of some corporations.
IU-South Bend suspended Chick-fil-A’s campus services in late January when the chain planned to provide free lunches for “The Art of Marriage” conference.
The event was sponsored by the Pennsylvania Family Institute, the state’s leading anti-gay group, according to a change.org article.
The suspension was lifted after IU-South Bend Chancellor Una Mae Reck ordered a review of University regulations.
There was no evidence found of discriminatory practices on campus.
Similar inquiry by the Office of Procurement Services at IU-Bloomington found Chick-fil-A does not violate any University policies or state or federal statutes.
“We’re trying to inform the campus about practices of the larger company,” said Doug Bauder, coordinator of Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Student Support Services. “There’s nothing illegal in what they’re doing, (but) should the University be using the services of groups like this?”
Bauder, his advisory board and the Commission on Multicultural Understanding have been working with Indiana Memorial Union Director Bruce Jacobs in recent months to gather information about their concerns.
“We’re not taking any stance right now,” Jacobs said. “We’re trying to fully understand this before we make a decision.”
Jacobs said Chick-fil-A was contracted through Sodexo Corporation, the Union’s food service provider.
“All contracts that the University signs goes through the University Purchasing Department,” Jacobs said. “In this case, the contract is with the Sodexo Corporation. They, in turn, sign the contract with other food service providers.”
While no other corporations on campus have been found to donate money to anti-gay corporations or legislation, several companies in Bloomington do.
Clothing retailer Urban Outfitters, which has a store near campus on Kirkwood Avenue, has a history of supporting anti-gay groups.
Urban Outfitters Chairman Richard Hayne has been labeled a “staunch conservative” and donated $13,000 to former Pennsylvania Senator and current presidential candidate Rick Santorum’s political action committee.
Santorum told the New York Times Magazine in May 2005, “(gay marriage) threatens my marriage. It threatens all marriages. It threatens the traditional values of this country.”
Target Corp. and Best Buy Co. Inc. both received 15 point deductions on Human Right Campaign’s Corporate Equality Index 2011.
Target contributed $150,000 and Best Buy contributed $100,000 to Minnesota Forward. The group supports an anti-LGBT gubernatorial candidate.
Bauder said it is up to students to decide as individuals whether or not they want their money to go to corporations that support anti-gay groups and
legislation.
“It’s an ethical issue. It’s not a legal issue,” Bauder said. “But that matters to many of us.”
Launched by Chick-Fil-A Senior Vice President Donald Cathy, the Marriage and Family Legacy Fund “pools funds for a national marriage media campaign,” according to equalitymatters.org. It is also the funding arm for Marriage CoMission, a coalition of anti-gay groups who say gay marriage is destroying traditional family values in America.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes, $480,000
All ministry leaders must agree to the fellowship’s Sexual Purity Statement, which says, “The Bible is clear in teaching on sexual sin including sex outside of marriage and homosexual acts. Neither heterosexual sex outside of marriage nor any homosexual act constitute an alternative lifestyle acceptable to God. The fellowship’s desire is to encourage individuals to trust in Jesus and turn away from any impure lifestyle.” Their website also highlights one of their coaches who was “delivered from homosexuality.”
National Christian Foundation, $240,000
The foundation gave grants to anti-gay groups, including Focus on the Family, Family Life and the Family Research Council.
Focus on the Family, $12,500
Founder James Dobson has called the gay rights movement the greatest threat to children. The group’s website also claims, “The homosexual agenda is a beast. It wants our kids.”
Eagle Forum, $5,000
They opposed the Supreme Court’s decision to decriminalize homosexuality in 2003 and claimed the courts are promoting a gay agenda in schools.
Exodus International, $1,000
Exodus said being LGBT is perverse and a form of sexual brokenness. It promotes “ex-gay” therapy, the practice of trying to make a gay person straight.
Family Research Council, $1,000
The Southern Poverty Law Center labeled the FRC a hate group because it propagates “known falsehoods about the LGBT community.” The council President Tony Perkins also said pedophilia is a homosexual problem.
