School board and city council members are amplifying pressure on the Pittsburgh Marathon to drop Chick-fil-A as title sponsor at a children's event.
Unless marathon organizers boot the fast-food chain, a proposed resolution due before the Pittsburgh Public Schools board would ban district employees and schools from participating in "an official capacity" in the one-mile Kids Marathon. It's held the day before the main race in May.
Meanwhile, all nine council members signed a letter asking the marathon to nix the funding deal. Their correspondence went to the P3R nonprofit, which manages the race events, just as its board was due to discuss the sponsorship Thursday afternoon.
That meeting was closed to the public. Chick-fil-A has fallen under criticism for comments made by Dan T. Cathy, the founder's son, about gay marriage and for donations to conservative family foundations.
"They have several beliefs, which they've expressed officially, largely through religious basis, that are quite discriminatory and are quite inconsistent with the district's policies regarding discrimination on the basis of gender, race, etc.," said Ira Weiss, the school solicitor.
School board members Lynda Wrenn, Moira Kaleida and Terry Kennedy brought the matter to him and administrators after hearing from concerned constituents, Mr. Weiss said.
The board is set to vote next week on the resolution, which would withhold district support from the children's event as long as Chick-fil-A is a sponsor. The move follows an online petition this month urging North Side-based P3R to sever the financial relationship.
More than 1,100 signatures appear on the petition. Posted on The Action Network website, it accuses Chick-fil-A of being "openly homophobic and transphobic." The restaurant's headquarters did not immediately comment but has said it doesn’t have a political or social agenda, focusing instead on service and hospitality “for all.”
At city council, member Erika Strassburger said the brand name "would be perceived to espouse bigotry and hate." She circulated the letter signed by her council colleagues.
"This is really about the children and about sending the message to the children of Pittsburgh, and really to everyone, that Pittsburgh, as far as city council is concerned, is welcoming and inclusive for everyone,” Ms. Strassburger said.
She and council President Bruce Kraus met last week with race director Patrice Matamoros. Ms. Strassburger called the conversation productive. It's clear that the marathon "did not have malicious intent" and promotes inclusiveness, she said.
Kevin Carter, a school board member, said he was eager to review his board's resolution. He wants to avoid a "slippery slope" that could force board members to object any time an event sponsor differs ideologically from the school district, he said.
But "if another organization does come forward that does not embrace all of our students, I would feel the same way and that this resolution be applied to that as well,” Ms. Wrenn said.
Ms. Kaleida and school board President Regina Holley said they support the board resolution, too.
Marathon organizers announced a three-year deal with Chick-fil-A on Sept. 27. The Atlanta-based restaurant famous for fried chicken and biscuits will be the title sponsor of the Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh Kids Marathon as well as a sponsor of the Kids of STEEL physical activity and nutrition program.
Approached Thursday, a P3R spokeswoman referred reporters to earlier comments from the organization. It strives to be inclusive of the whole Pittsburgh community and accept anyone who wants to join in its various activities, according to the remarks.
“P3R is deeply passionate about and committed to promoting a love of running, health, and fitness in the Pittsburgh region.” the statement said. “Our intent with this partnership, along with all of our partnerships, is to further expand all of our events and programming ― including the Pittsburgh Kids Marathon and Kids of STEEL. This partnership with Chick-fil-A Pittsburgh will help us ensure even more children in southwestern Pennsylvania can learn and share in our love of running.”
Elizabeth Behrman: Lbehrman@post-gazette.com, 412-263-1590, @Ebehrman. Adam Smeltz: 412-263-2625, asmeltz@post-gazette.com, @asmeltz.
First Published: October 18, 2018, 6:06 p.m.
