SGA passes resolution recommending that Chick-fil-A is removed from Revolve
Photo by Matthew Claybrook
The senate of the Student Government Association (SGA) passed a resolution unanimously on Wednesday that recommended that Chick-fil-A is removed from the rotation at Revolve.
The resolution followed recent discussion on-campus regarding Chick-fil-A’s history of supporting anti-LGBTQ+ organizations as well as a forum held on Wednesday, April 17, co-hosted by the Trinitonian and the Dean of Student’s Office.
“Chick-fil-A has donated $1.8 million to anti-LGBTQIA organizations in the past available tax return form available, which is from 2017. Those include the Paul Anderson Youth Home, Salvation Army, the Fellowship for Christian Athletes,” said sophomore senator Claire Carlson. “Also, we know about the Uganda scandal in 2014 with the anti-homosexuality bill that Chick-fil-A supported different interest groups in that that were advocating for that legislation. In addition to that, Dan Cathy, who is their CEO, has made a lot of problematic comments in the contexts of same sex marriage and things like that.”
Carlson, along with fellow sophomore senators Carson Bolding and Leopoldo Perez, drafted the resolution, which was presented to the senate for approval.
“As far as resolutions go, it would be sent out to the student body, it would express our opinion, it would not directly enable change,” said junior Ty Tinker, president of SGA, at Wednesday’s meeting. “This is not something that immediately, student administrators say, ‘OK, SGA passed this resolution therefore we have to do this or we’ll get in some sort of trouble.’ That’s not how it goes. This is just a statement of our beliefs and our understanding of the situation.”
Bolding explained their next steps now that the senate approved the resolution.
“We can basically give a recommendation to the administration that they may or may not follow, and I think that mostly just goes to giving it to dean Tuttle and Jamie Thompson and them giving it to the appropriate people,” Bolding said.
Carlson explained why Chick-fil-A’s presence on campus is detrimental.
“Obviously it has the potential to make a lot of people feel uncomfortable on campus, and also it looks really bad for Trinity in the context of recruiting potential students who may be a part of the LGBTQ community,” Carlson said.
Carlson explained why the resolution was a good path of action following the forum.
“There’s a lot of people who mentioned [at the forum] that doing a majority vote isn’t the best idea because obviously not everybody is affected in the same manner by having Chick-fil-A on campus,” Carlson said. “Additionally, we decided to do a resolution because in the past we’ve done resolutions for things like the menstrual projects in public restrooms, which is something Simone [Washington] headed, and we’ve also done them for open educational resources … And these are things that have gone through the administration and have worked in the past, so we’re hoping that if we do a resolution about it that it will have the same effect.”
Tinker explained that this resolution is important.
“Resolutions are passed for a number of reasons. We had a resolution several years ago that was as simple as removing the [bollards] from behind the Bell Center,” Tinker said. “This is a little bit more complex, a little bit more of a statement of beliefs I’d say, not just a tactical facilities services thing, it’s more of a discussion that has been rotating around campus quite a bit, so it’s really important that we do it right and do it tastefully.”
The full resolution can be read here.
A. Hill • Jun 2, 2019 at 10:27 am
We are in the process of looking for universities for our high school daughter. Trinity WAS on the short list, but if this is representative of where this university it is unfortunate. Looks like a great university, but perhaps it’s been co-opted by the liberal left too much to be a serious consideration now.
Craig Young • May 14, 2019 at 6:44 pm
Chick-fil-A, it’s just a restaurant. Go ahead, and run it off your campus. Do you honestly think that’s going to make anything better? I get it, your hard earned dollars wont be given over to causes that you dont support. You still have a couple underlying issues each and every one of you will face in the very end. I’m going to separate you all into just two groups, as you will be in the future. A group (a very small one, at that) on the right hand, and a group on the left hand. The group on the right hand will be the born again crowd who, for whatever reason, is aiding with the secular world, and supporting abortion and homosexuality among all sorts of reprobate behaviour. Shame on you for supporting the sin. Those of you on the left, you are lost and undone. You are heading for a Devil’s Hell and a Christless eternity. God help you!
Bruce Davis • May 12, 2019 at 11:03 am
This is absolutely ridiculous! If anyone should be excluded from campus it should be the faculty and students who support the expulsion of Chick-fil-A! Their bigotry, lack of tolerance, ignorance, and assault on Christian values is disgusting. The LGBTQ students cited one of the reason for banning Chick-fil-A was because they donated to the Salvation Army. SO FREAK’N WHAT! These LGBTQ kids should be banned for their lack of knowledge and lack of tolerance of others beliefs. If these Nazi bigoted idiots bothered to do their homework they would know that in spite of being a Christian organization (which btw is all they’re focused on), the Salvation Army doesn’t discriminate against ANYONE! Regardless of race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or gender identity! In fact, their own mission statement states that it’s, “committed to serving the LGBTQ community” by offering them shelter, job training, substance abuse help, food, and help to suicidal LGBTQ teens. The Salvation Army relays on donations in order to provide these services, among many others but some in the LGBTQ community are more concerned about labeling Christians and their beliefs as being intolerant, racist, homophobic bigots. When the opposite is true. It’s LGBTQ community that has become so steep in bigotry and intolerant of others beliefs that they fail to see their own hatred. By demonizing Chick-fil-A and the Salvation Army these LGBTQ students are actually hurting those they claim to protect. What a shame.
Another Concerned Catholic • May 10, 2019 at 3:04 pm
Hello Everyone, yes you too LGBTQ…There is nothing wrong with Chick-fil-A. District 1 Councilman Roberto Trevino is part of the LGBTQ and working on future votes. I just wanted to remind everyone, yes you too LGBTQ. A man and man or women and women do not go together because the parts do fit the right way….. A man and woman or woman and man do go together because all parts go together and don’t have to be modified. I don’t know how else to make you understand, it’s not rocket science but to those who believe in the science theory you can see being part of the LGBTQ should not exist. Some people just don’t understand.
Jonathan Sherry • May 10, 2019 at 11:40 am
Your argument is, Chik-Fil-A “has the potential to make a lot of people feel uncomfortable on campus”.
Life is uncomfortable. Whether it’s muggy weather, wet shoes, or a crowded NYC subway car, life is uncomfortable. And going to college is designed to introduce you to a variety of viewpoints, ideas, and beliefs. So you’re going to be exposed to things that make you uncomfortable.
Another way to look at it is, an organism that isn’t challenged doesn’t grow. If you want to get stronger, you lift weights. If you want to be more educated, you study. If you want to be a better scientist, you perform new and different experiments. And if you wish to grow socially, you need to be exposed to thoughts and opinions you don’t already have and may disagree with.
So yes, perhaps LGBTQ people may perceive CFA poorly, but that’s not CFA’s fault. They’ve never made any statements against the LGBTQ demographic. Most of the hysteria around them comes from LGBTQ activists who see a Christian company as an existential threat and refuses to live and let live.
David • May 9, 2019 at 2:25 pm
Does anyone else find it more than ironic the logic used by the SGA to pass this Resolution quotes Trinity’s Diversity page online: Respect. Engagement. Equity. Inclusion. Understanding. (https://new.trinity.edu/campus-life/student-life-culture/diversity)? Chick-fil-A is not allowed to be part of the Trinity community because of the SGA’s commitment to tolerance and diversity. Sounds like a Monty Python skit. It appears “diversity and inclusion” only applies to the views shared by Ms. Carlson and the SGA.
What’s really scary is Ms. Carlson’s statement that Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A’s CEO, “has made a lot of problematic comments in the contexts of same sex marriage and things like that.” Problematic comments? This statement is nothing less than what a Communist Chinese official would say about statements made against its government by a Chinese citizen. You see to Ms. Carlson, and the Left in general, any belief contrary to their own must be destroyed. It’s hatred of opposing views wrapped in the language of tolerance and diversity.
It’s disheartening to see this vote was unanimous. One would hope some member of the SGA wouldn’t stand for this level of libel and hatred levied at Chick-fil-A. I hope the Administration makes an example out of the Resolution as to what real intolerance and bigotry looks like. Otherwise, where will it end? If the students see they can remove a vendor because they don’t like it’s owner’s views on marriage, why stop there? Maybe boycott speakers invited to the “Distinguished Lecture Series” for their prior comments the SGA doesn’t approve of, or rename the University because “Trinity” is not inclusive of all religious faiths?
People, specifically Trinity alumni, need to stand up and call out this insanity for what it is and show the Administration this is not what a Trinity University education has come to.
Donna Walker • May 9, 2019 at 12:04 pm
Obviously [Chick-fil-A] has the potential to make a lot of people feel uncomfortable on campus, and also it looks really bad for Trinity in the context of recruiting potential students who may be a part of the LGBTQ community,” Chick-fil-A has the best customer service in the world…if you say you have gone to a Chick-fil-A and been made to feel uncomfortable you are telling a LIE!!!!! Again a group of YOUNG LIBERALS who think they have the right to determine the path of the world. These children and yes they are children, will never be able to support themselves and live in the real world, cause the real world has no safe places! My goodness, parents need to teach their children tolerance and self-confidence, but instead we teach them hate and insecurity. GROW UP! and shame on this college for letting a small majority of the students run the college cause the administration is SCARED to have a back bone and stand up or offend someone! So are LGBTQ students all that Trinity has an interest in recruiting?
John Dallair • May 9, 2019 at 11:59 am
As usual…the homosexual minority gets to call the shots. LGTBQ proves again proves to be narrow-minded and ANYTHING but inclusive. Shameful lack of self-awareness. Why not whine about the name of the university “TRINITY” that is about as Christian as it gets? Surely the old guys/founding fathers back in in the day had a complete understanding of the biblical Trinity…something the gay activists have denied or misunderstood.
Disgusted born and bred Texan • May 8, 2019 at 8:53 pm
Everyone has a right to their own personal beliefs and where they’d like to send donations. As a white girl who is heterosexual and has family members that are gay…. every single one of which does NOT support shoving gay pride and LGBT crap down people’s throats. I wish y’all would send out a school wide poll requesting all participate and offering some type of incentive if they fill out the survey TRUTHFULLY! I’m ready to move the hell away from anywhere near Trinity… was looking to go back and obtain my Masters and possibly PhD and now, thankfully, I will not only mark off Trinity as an option but black it out permanently and SPREAD THE WORD!!! As a Caucasian women who totally understands where different communities come from, and family members who are gay… this city has gone overboard and I really hate SA and companies/groups who shove this nastiness down my throat and others with similar thoughts to myself. I’ll be sure to look and see ANY future places/establishments that shove gay/LGBT signs/flags/demands down my throat and avoid… and I’ll be spreading the word. True disgust!!