Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey criticized for eating Chick-fil-A during Pride Month
A fast food meal has kicked off a Pride Month controversy.
On Saturday, Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey tweeted about using his new Cash app to pay for his meal at Chick-fil-A. It was the kind of tweet that could be easily ignored — if, perhaps, it didn’t happen to be Pride Month, and if Chick-fil-A’s own CEO wasn’t known for his opposition to gay marriage.
Boost ?@ChickfilA? pic.twitter.com/W03oKeGgGT
— jack (@jack) June 10, 2018
The fast food chain came under scrutiny in 2012 after CEO Dan T. Cathy — who’s also son of its late founder — expressed his disapproval of same-sex marriage. Chick-fil-A’s financial donations to politically conservative organizations opposed to LGBTQ rights also sparked calls for a boycott.
Though Chick-fil-A — whose Christian values include closing on Sundays — has since tried to avoid affiliating itself with political causes, some saw Dorsey’s dining experience as a problematic endorsement, Fox News reports.
Dorsey’s meal caught the attention of critics like journalist Soledad O’Brien, who pointed out the issue with supporting a company associated with anti-LGBTQ views during Pride Month. Dorsey was quick to concede her point.
You’re right. Completely forgot about their background
— jack (@jack) June 10, 2018
On behalf of the whole LGBTQ community, Jack, kindly boost your head out of your ass.
— Adam Goldman (@theadamgoldman) June 10, 2018
Please delete this or follow up with how much free advertising you're going to give GLAAD.
— EricaJoy (@EricaJoy) June 10, 2018
mmmmm hate chicken never tasted so homophobic.
— Sarah Burris (@SarahBurris) June 10, 2018
You must love the taste of bigotry!
— Michael Kell (@jmichaelkell) June 10, 2018
While many agreed with O’Brien’s view that Dorsey’s tweet could be seen as being in bad taste, the backlash rubbed some Christians and Chick-fil-A fans the wrong way. Dorsey’s meal — and his subsequent regret — has now fueled a flurry of tweets defending the chain and its values.
Which is?
You mean their late CEO being a Christian? Apparently that is something bad/terrible, having faith, running a decent business, never discriminated against anyone, for the "tolerance, acceptance, and inclusivity" crowd.— R J (@kataandkumite1) June 10, 2018
Give me a break. Chick-Fil-A is not some hate company. Just like you are entitled to your own views, so is the owner of Chick-Fil-A. He believes in God and tries to run his company on what he believes are Godly principles. Nothing wrong with that.
— freelancejournalist (@freelancerjourn) June 10, 2018
Is this, as one commenter argued, a lot of fuss over “just a chicken sandwich”? Or should high-profile figures be held accountable for their endorsements, down to the last waffle fry?
Relax, it’s just a chicken sandwich.
— TheCONNtrarian (@TheCONNtrarian) June 11, 2018
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
What it’s like to endure gay ‘conversion’ therapy: ‘I felt like I was to blame’
Teens are using yearbook quotes to show their LGBTQ pride — and they’re delightful
Shaun Ross: gay, albino, and at the top of the modeling industry
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