A Chick-fil-A may be coming to Miami International Airport, but not if this city leader can help it.
Miami Beach Commissioner Michael Gongora is urging Miami-Dade County to rescind the lease allowing the fast-food chain to operate due to the company’s financial support of anti-LGBTQ causes.
According to an item on the agenda for the council’s next meeting, Gongora is also urging the county to “develop a procedure to screen prospective businesses wishing to do business on the county’s publicly-funded property for history of discriminatory behavior and for compliance with the Miami Dade County Human Rights Ordinance.”
The commission is scheduled to vote on the resolution on May 22.
The Georgia-based chain has 2,400 locations that specialize in fried and grilled chicken. The company closes every Sunday to lets its workers “spend the day to rest and worship,” and it is also active in donating to what critics say are groups that discriminate against gays and lesbians.
According to advocacy group Think Progress, the chain gave $1.8 million to what it calls “discriminatory groups” in 2017, including the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, the Paul Anderson Youth Home, and the Salvation Army, which it says “spread an anti-LGBTQ message,” and teach that homosexuality is a sin.
This isn’t the first time the chain has caused controversies at airports.
In March, a Chick-fil-A was banned from opening up a new location at San Antonio International Airport, with some council members also citing concerns with its record on LGBTQ issues.
In April, another Chick-fil-A was disinvited from opening a location at Buffalo’s airport, due to the company’s “long history of supporting and funding anti-LGBTQ organizations,” according to New York State Assemblyman Sean Ryan, who had opposed allowing Chick-fil-A to operate at the airport.
USA TODAY has reached out to Gongora and Chick-fil-A for comment.
Contributing: Jefferson Graham, Kelly Tyko
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