Muppets end its partnership with Chick-fil-A over anti-gay sentiments

The Jim Henson Company, the entertainment organization that traces its origins to the founding of The Muppets in 1958 by puppeteer Jim Henson, has ended its affiliation with Chick-fil-A over the restaurant chain’s anti-gay sentiments.

In an announcement posted on their Facebook page Friday, the company said it would donate its latest residual check to GLAAD, the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation:

“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. Lisa Henson, our CEO is personally a strong supporter of gay marriage and has directed us to donate the payment we received from Chick-Fil-A to GLAAD.”

The Muppets’ partnership with Chick-fil-A included selling its Creature Shop toys for the restaurant chain’s kids meals.

The announcement is the latest fallout related to Chick-fil-A’s history of donating millions of dollars to anti-gay organizations.

Chick-fil-A president Dan Cathy, in a recent interview with the Baptist Press, said his company’s position supporting “traditional marriage” is based on values rooted in the Bible, and that gay marriage is “inviting God’s judgment on our nation.”

Last week, Boston Mayor Thomas Menino vowed to block Chick-fil-A from opening its first restaurant in the city.

“You can’t have a business in the city of Boston that discriminates against a population. We’re an open city, we’re a city that’s at the forefront of inclusion,” Menino said.