IOWA CITY — Iowa City Pride fest this year has a surprising new sponsor: Chick-fil-A.

Adam Donius, owner of one of the restaurants in Coralville, will be donating free food to one of the Pride Fest event later this month. Donius has agreed to donate 200 sandwiches and sides for Iowa City Pride’s annual picnic on June 19.

Iowa City Pride officials said they approached Donius after some community members took issue with his restaurant sponsoring Iowa City’s Soul Fest last year.

“We offered him different ways that he could contribute and be part of our pride, help us build community,” said Jewell Amos, Iowa City Pride Chair. “He said that he totally believes in building community. So he was like, sure,”

Requests for comment from Donius weren’t immediately returned.

Chick-fil-A’s COO publicly spoke out in 2012 against same-sex marriage. Following the comments, gay rights activists boycotted the restaurants nationwide and an anti-gay stigma has been with Chick-fil-A ever since.

Iowa City’s Pride fest is June 19 — 20.