Gay rights groups toast Chick-fil-A for apparent change of heart

Gay rights groups praised the executives of Chick-fil-A after it was revealed they may have changed their stance on gay marriage.

The Civil Rights Agenda, a nonprofit gay rights group, announced Tuesday that the fast food chain has stopped giving money to anti-gay organizations.

In addition, a memo was sent to all the restaurant's employees asking them to treat every person equally, according to Anthony Martinez, the executive director of The Civil Rights Agenda.

"We feel this is a strong step forward for Chick-fil-A and the LGBT community, although it is only a step," he said in a statement.

Chick-fil-A's CEO Dan Cathy came under intense criticism from activists across the nation, including City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, after he admitted being against same sex unions.

Chick-fil-A didn't return messages for comment but told NBC Wednesday that it would leave the same-sex union debate to the government and politics.

Quinn, who started an online petition that declared the chain unwelcome in the city, didn't comment about the news.

Courage Campaign, a national gay rights group, called the company's change a step in the right direction.

"From politics to business to culture as a nation we are seeing a historic shift toward equality for all," the group's founder Rick Jacobs said in a statement.