School turns down free Chick-fil-A lunch ‘out of respect for LGBTQ staff'

NEW ORLEANS — A high school in New Orleans turned down a free Chick-fil-A lunch for its teaching staff due to the fast-food giant's stance on same sex marriage.

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The company has donated millions of dollars over the years to organizations that oppose same-sex marriage. A Chick-fil-A official also criticized gay marriage in 2012, prompting boycotts and expansion denials in some regions of the country.

The principal at Lusher High School, Dr. Steven Corbett, said in a statement that the chicken chain's values don't mesh with the school's motto of "Be Kind," according to WWL-TV.

"Out of respect to our LGBTQ staff, we have chosen to not serve Chick-Fil-A at an employee lunch. The No. 1 rule at Lusher is to be kind and we live this motto every day," Corbett said. "Chick-Fil-A has been politically outspoken about its views, and we feel it is not part of Lusher's culture of kindness and community."

The free lunch was part of an effort by the College Football Playoff Association to thank Orleans Parish schools for hosting the Sugar Bowl and College Football Championship, WWL reported.

The association is still providing a free lunch to Lusher teachers, but from a different restaurant.

Cox Media Group