Thu. January 6, 2011
Philadelphia, PA -
The Pennsylvania Family Institute, a leading opponent of marriage equality in the Keystone state, says charges against against Chick-fil-A are "trumped up."
Michael Geer, president of the Pennsylvania Family Institute, says that reports the Georgia-based restaurant chain is sponsoring or endorsing their efforts is misleading.
"All in all it's a trumped up story," Geer told The Christian Post.
The February event in question is called "The Art of Marriage," and it's intended to be a launching point for Pennsylvania to return to "the biblical definition of marriage."
Chick-fil-A was initially listed as a sponsor; however, upon reports of its participation, the Pennsylvania Family Institute web site has removed Chick-Fil-A from their primary marketing materials.
Geer said contrary to media reports Chick-fil-A's corporate office is not sponsoring the event, which is seen as an anti-gay movement by gay rights advocates.
"There are a couple [Chick-fil-A] restaurants that are giving us food," he said.
Chick-fil-A tweeted Tuesday, "For those seeing reports of a CFA sponsorship w/ the Penn Family Inst, we are looking into the issue and will provide a response ASAP."
There has been no further official comment from the company. Chick-fil-A has previously been connected to Focus on the Family, the anti-gay Colorado group founded by James Dobson.
Chick-fil-A maintains fundamentalist roots and according to a company profile in Forbes magazine, their corporate mission is to "glorify God."
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