Highland Pride condemns Scotland hotel chain’s decision to open a Chick-fil-A at one of its resorts
Chick-fil-A has donated millions of dollars to anti-gay causes. (Raymond Boyd/Getty Images)
In what has emerged as an all-out war against fast-food chain Chick-fil-A, a Scottish Pride group have lashed out at a hotel’s decision to open a branch in one of its resorts.
With a known history of donating to anti-LGBT+ charities, the Baptist-owned chicken shop has been a battleground of boycotts and protests from queer activists over the years.
Most recently, the Atalanta-owned company opened two of its first branches in the UK. One in England, which garnered condemnation to such a degree that its lease will not be extended beyond the first six months.
The other, in the Scottish highlands, quietly opened to limited fanfare.
Disgruntled activists have already begun labouring for its removal from Macdonald Aviemore Resort in the country’s highlands.
Highland Pride organisers tell hotel to ‘not support groups opposed to equality’.
One local group, Highland Pride, penned an eviscerating letter to Macdonald Hotels for allowing a company with a “atrocious anti-LGBTQ track record” to set up shop in the area, reported the Iverness Courier.
Organisers pleaded that the Scottish hotel chain “do not support people who fund groups who are opposed to LGBTQ equality”.
They wrote: “On 21st July around 10 thousand people supported one of the biggest pride events in Scotland this year.
“After this incredible display of support towards the Highlands LGBTQ community, we are very disappointed to hear that you have opened a branch of Chick-fil-A at your Macdonald Aviemore resort, shortly after it was announced their only other UK restaurant in Reading would close.
“We are enquiring as to whether you knew about Chick-fil-A’s anti-LGBTQ stance before you agreed to lease to them, and if you are aware of the Oracle’s shopping centre’s decision not to renew Chick-fil-A’s 6 month lease following protests by Reading Pride.
Please respond to us @MacdonaldHotels – still waiting for your reply to our letter.#CluckOff #CluckOffChickfilA #LGBTQ #Aviemore @MacAviemore @InvCourier https://t.co/eK0megf6Ck
— Highland LGBT Forum (@highlgbtforum) October 30, 2019
In the letter, organisers detailed the corporation’s “controversial” history of donating to anti-LGBT+ causes and charities. Raising a red flag over how the branch opened despite sustained concerns from locals.
One of loudest has come from from a nearly 800 strong petition urging Macdonald Hotels to shutter the doors of the Chick-fil-A.
“Scotland is a progressive, welcoming and inclusive country, and businesses in the Highlands should be too,” the letter continued.
“We ask that you do not support people who fund groups who are opposed to LGBTQ equality.”
Chick-fil-A is proving ‘very popular’ and hotel is ‘pleased’ the company is investing in it.
A spokesperson for Macdonald Aviemore Resort told PinkNews: “Chick-fil-A is an enormously successful business, with over 2,300 restaurants in the US.
“We are pleased to have them invest in the Aviemore economy, where the restaurant is proving extremely popular.
“It’s vital to underline that, in both our recruitment and our customer care, we treat everyone with respect, regardless of race, religion, sexuality or gender.”
