Chick-fil-A Says 'Fruitcake' Remark Was Not a Gay Slur

A Chick-fil-A franchise in the Atlanta area is passing out fliers for party trays that use the term "fruitcake," but the company says that the term was not meant to be contemptuous or mocking of gay people.

The Chamblee, Ga., store's advertisement, posted on Towleroad, claims, "Only a fruitcake wouldn't love our party trays."

"This is an advertisement that a locally owned and operated restaurant has been using for the past five years to promote Chick-fil-A's catering options during the holidays," Steve Robinson, the company's executive vice president and chief marketing officer, said in a statement to The Advocate Tuesday afternoon. "It was simply a play on words referring to the traditional holiday food, and the restaurant had no intention of offending anyone whatsoever. We regret the flier may have been taken out of context."

The company came under fire earlier this year after its president said he was "guilty as charged" when it came to using his company to support antigay causes. It has so far used its Winshape Foundation to donate about $5 million to antigay groups, according to Equality Matters, including those that attempt to change people from gay to straight.

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