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.
