Chick-fil-A was the source of controversy following a series of antigay marriage public statements made in June 2012 by chief operating officer Dan Cathy who personally opposes same-sex marriage. The statements followed reports that Chick-fil-A's charitable endeavor, the WinShape Foundation, had made millions in donations to political organizations opposing LGBT rights, and also that the chain co-sponsored a marriage conference along with the Pennsylvania Family Institute (PFI), opposing gay marriage. In reaction, LGBT rights activists called for protests and boycotts of the chain, while counter-protestors rallied in support by eating at the restaurants. National political figures both for and against the actions spoke out and some business partners severed ties with the chain.
Tim Wildmon of the American Family Association boasts of receiving a letter from the company's CEO about its giving policy that actually went to hundreds.