Australian coffee chain Gloria Jeans is continuing to receive an onslaught of criticism over a donation it made to an anti-gay lobby group.

The coffee chain has been under fire since it was revealed that that Gloria Jean’s Coffees donated $30,000 to the Australian Christian Lobby (ACL), a vocal opponent of gay marriage in Australia and adoptions by same-sex couples.

The fallout escalated when national youth mental health foundation Headspace pulled out of the RU OK? Day campaign over the coffee company’s role as major sponsor to the event.

Headspace, who work closely with LGBT youth, released a statement announcing their withdrawal citing “a moral and ethical duty.”

“Whilst we acknowledge the excellent work RU OK? Day and its partners have done in raising awareness about mental health issues, we have a significant level of discomfort about the relationship between RU OK? Day’s sponsor Gloria Jeans and the ACL,” the statement said.

In a statement Gloria Jeans Coffee has attempted to distance itself from the ACL saying the $30,000 was a “once off donation during the time of the election.”

“As a company we hold no position on marriage law, and in line with our values support people’s freedom to choose who they love,” the statement said.

“We are not homophobic and are proud that our team members come from all walks of life and sexual orientations, and we respect everyone’s opinion and the right to freedom of choice – political, religious, marriage or otherwise.”

The Hillsong Church’s website previously listed Gloria Jeans Coffees as a “generous supporter” of its annual conference but has since removed references to the coffee chain.

In the wake of the controversy Australia’s Starbucks coffee chain released a statement touting its support for marriage equality.

‘Core to who we are and what we value as a company is our belief in equal treatment of our … employees and our customers,’ the Starbucks statement read.

‘It is with this in mind that Starbucks Australia would like to publicly announce our proud support of marriage equality for all.’