Tony Perkins, head of the Family Research Council, says business leaders like Chick-fil-A CEO Dan Cathy are "cowards" for backtracking on their expressed views against marriage equality.
Shortly after Cathy said he was unapologetically opposed to marriage rights for same-sex couples in 2012, his fast-food chain became a symbol of homophobia for LGBT people and allies. The company has also donated millions of dollars in cash and services to antigay groups.
Last year, Floyd Lee Corkins entered the headquarters of Perkins's organization and opened fire. He reportedly had a bag full of Chick-fil-A sandwiches and claimed that he would smear them on the faces of his victims.
Earlier this year, Cathy said he would no longer speak publicly about marriage equality and that he would leave such public debate for politicians and pundits. "The wiser thing for us to do is stay focused on customer service," he said
Still, Huckabee and Perkins derided the decision for Cathy and the company to shy away from political expression.
"I think we're seeing those in the business community are becoming cowards," Perkins said on Mike Huckabee's Fox News show.
Perkins added, "Tolerance is a one-way street for these individuals. What they want to do is force the rest of America not to just to tolerate but to celebrate what they're doing. They want to redefine America."
