Chick-fil-A To Stop Funding Anti-Gay Groups

In an apparent reversal from a long-standing company policy, Chick-fil-A sent out an announcement today that it would no longer fund groups with anti-same-sex stances, according to a NBCNews.com report.

Chicago Alderman Joe Moreno, who had blocked the expansion of the fast-food chain from opening stores in the Illinois city, received a letter Wednesday morning stating Chick-fil-A would cease contributing to the groups.

"Going forward, our intent is to leave the policy debate over same-sex marriage to the government and political arena" Chick-fil-A wrote in an emailed statement to NBC News.

The Atlanta-based company had created a firestorm of reactions this summer after Dan Cathy, Chick-fil-A's president said the company supported the bibical definition of marriage between a man and a woman.

Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee had launched a "Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day and supporters showed up in masse to purchase the chicken-chain's sandwiches. Gay rights groups responded by launching boycotts and same-sex "kiss-ins."

After receiving the letter from Chick-fil-A Moreno announced that he would permit the company to open new stores in Chicago.