Back in 2012, the company's Chief Operating Officer Dan T. Cathy spoke out repeatedly in opposition to marriage equality after reports that the company's charitable organization, WinShape Foundation, had donated millions of dollars to anti-LGBT organizations.
The company quickly backtracked on this stance, and claimed an exit from political involvement:
"Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena."
This wasn't exactly what they did, however.
ThinkProgress recently released information from the Chick-Fil-A Foundations tax filings that shows it donated 1.8 million dollars to three organizations with distinctly anti-LGBT policies in 2017.
In response to this news, The Dru Project got a little creative with their fundraising efforts.
Anyone feeling a bit guilty about their waffle fries or deluxe chicken sandwich can make reparations by donating the cost of their meal to help sponsor queer youth scholarships.
The Dru Project
"Recently, we have gotten promises for donations by friends of The Dru Project who may have slipped and gotten waffle fries, lemonade, or a chicken sandwich from Chick-Fil-A."
"As you may be aware, this company has repeatedly donated to foundations working against the LGBTQ+ community."
"If you want to make reparations for this, we are happily accepting confessions & donations below. Turn that waffle fry guilt into curricula or scholarships for LGBTQ+ youth! 🏳️🌈⤵️ "
The Dru Project was created in memory of Christopher Andrew Leinonen and his partner Juan Ramon Guerrero who were killed during the Pulse nightclub shooting in 2016.
It honors Leinonen and the other victims by working to improve the lives of LGBT+ youth through scholarships.
"Naturally, we wanted to honor him and his legacy the best way we could: By empowering LGBTQ+ youth and setting them up to be the successful leaders we desperately need in this country."
There were several people feeling the waffle fry guilt.
Steven Peterson/Facebook
Terry Castillo/Facebook
One Facebook user wanted to spread the world IRL in an area where Chick-Fil-A is one of a limited number of options.
Zachary Perrault Rudick/Facebook
Donations weren't limited to people who were feeling guilty.
Mark Russell/Facebook
Anyone wanting to support The Dru Project in their mission to help queer youth be successful can donate through their website (PayPal button near the bottom of the page) or Facebook page.
In Noblesville, Indiana a video taken by a couple in their car went viral as they filmed a runaway cow. The cow cuts across traffic, attempting to get to freedom.
One of the people in the car can be heard saying,
"Who loses a cow in Noblesville?"
The commenters were blown away by the cow running to freedom.
Though the cow cuts across traffic, stopping many cars, the passengers in the video can be heard laughing. The cow is very determined to get wherever they plan to go.
Noblesville Police were in pursuit to capture and protect the free running animal, but cops can be scary.
Maybe that's why the cow went to its nearest sanctuary.
There is a bad commercial here, waiting to happen https://t.co/xNhd7HH6W7— Michael Elder (@Michael Elder) 1552927718.0
@wsvn Eat more chikin— SouthFloridaRedCorolla (@SouthFloridaRedCorolla) 1552928692.0
@FOXNashville He just wants a job..— Terry.... (@Terry....) 1552909334.0
@haydenaudette51 @newschannelnine *squints suspiciously to see if the #brands are at it again*— Ollie McClellan (@Ollie McClellan) 1552919000.0
In a move that couldn't have been better planned as an advertisement, the cow tries to escape to a shopping center with a prominently featured Chik-Fil-A restaurant.
The Chik-Fil-A brand is known for its chicken sandwiches and ads which show cows encouraging you to eat there, presumably because it means they might not be eaten.
While we can't be one hundred percent sure this wasn't a promo for the brand, if so, it's unbelievably well excuted.
Minus the cops, of course.
@ABC How does the officer write up THIS officer-involved incident? I don’t think his handcuffs will work! Does he have a lasso handy ?!? 🐄— Lori Maier (@Lori Maier) 1552868254.0
Classic https://t.co/hpeDVDtgYg— Brian Kantor (@Brian Kantor) 1552938242.0
Nice. https://t.co/KhLYlDahDQ— houstonfc (@houstonfc) 1552927180.0
Cows have had it pretty good, and not just escaping from the cops to grab a chicken sandwich. Last month, they got their own Tinder-like service to find matches for breeding.
It's good to be a cow.