This story was updated on July 25 at 10:22 a.m. EDT to reflect the restoration of the Facebook page.
Washington, D.C., July 24th, 2012 (LifeSiteNews.com) – The Jim Henson Company is withholding their Muppets children’s toys from Dan Cathy, President and Chief Operating Officer at Chick-fil-A, after the President pleaded “guilty as charged” to having a traditional pro-family stance.
Last Friday, The Jim Henson Company said via Facebook, “The Jim Henson Company has celebrated and embraced diversity and inclusiveness for over fifty years and we have notified Chick-Fil-A that we do not wish to partner with them on any future endeavors.”
The statement also said that Henson’s current CEO, Lisa Henson, “is personally a strong supporter of gay marriage and has directed us to donate the payment we received from Chick-Fil-A to GLAAD” (Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation).
The Jim Henson Company manufactured Muppet toys for the fast-food chain’s kid’s meals.
Dan Cathy stated in a 2011 interview with the Atlantic Journal-Constitution (AJC) that his “company is not anti-gay” and that the charge is “folk-lore.” “We are not anti-anybody. Our mission is to create raving fans.” He said his $4 billion business ‘opted not to get involved in political debate. It’s never been our agenda.”
His personal views, however, were criticized by the left when the Southern Baptist said in an interview with The Baptist Press, “We are very supportive of the family – the biblical definition of the family unit. We are a family owned business, a family-led business, and we are married to our first wives. We give God thanks for that.”
Many members of the Left deemed these comments to be “anti-gay” and “bigoted.” Cathy’s Chick-fil-A WinShape Foundation has donated to Marriage and Family Foundation, Exodus International and Family Research Council. He was estimated to have given $2 million to these organizations in 2010 alone.
Cathy has been married for almost 40 years and has two sons, one of whom is married. On the Cathy Family’s website, cathyfamily.com, he lists his many hobbies to be marathon running, gardening, teaching Sunday School, and flying.
His father, Truett Cathy, began the company’s tradition of closing the restaurant on Sundays, later calling it “one of the best decisions he has ever made,” as noted on the family’s webpage. He gives “employees a day off as a day for family, worship, fellowship or rest.” The company owns 1,215 restaurants and grossed over $4 billion in 2011.
Some homosexual activists have announcement a day of action against the pro-family company.
Around 4 thousand people are signed up so far to participate in a National Same Sex Kiss Day at Chick Fil A, according to a Facebook public event posted on July 19. The page says, “We’re holding a NATIONAL Same Sex Kiss Day around the country. So grab a friend (or 20) and head out to your nearest Chick Fil A!”
Mike Huckabee set up his own Facebook event calling for a “Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day” on August 1st. He asked supporters of traditional marriage to eat out at the chicken fast-food restaurant on that day. Nearly 88,000 people have signed up for the event.
At the time of publication, however, Mike Huckabee notes on his Facebook page that “the event disappeared from my [Facebook] page this morning and we asked Facebook to look into this.” “The event is still on” says Huckabee.
Update: ‘The Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day’ event posting is back on Gov Huckabee’s Facebook page. Seven hours ago the governor posted: ‘We are back in business. We caught a 24 hour bug, apparently it hits when large number of Christians support something and write about it on Facebook.’ Over 100, 000 people are currently signed up to participate.