Chipotle Mexican Grill has pulled its sponsorship of Utah’s upcoming “Scout-O-Rama” due to the Boy Scouts of America policy excluding gays and lesbians.
The popular Colorado-based restaurant chain initially signed on to provide about $4,200 worth of coupons to the Utah Boy Scouts’ annual event. Chipotle spokesman Chris Arnold says the company rescinded the offer Tuesday due the Boy Scouts of America’s long-standing ban on gays.
Chipotle’s anti-discrimination policy states that the company should not support organizations that exclude based on sexual orientation. Arnold said the sponsorship pledge slipped through the cracks. When company leaders found out, they nixed the idea.
The executive of the Boy Scouts’ Great Salt Lake Council, Rick Barnes, says he respects Chipotle’s decision. He says sponsorship for the May 4 Scout-O-Rama remain strong even without the restaurant’s coupons.
