Out NYC owners host reception for Ted Cruz, gay community doesn’t approve
A campaign has started to boycott the pair's businesses
“Ted Cruz said, ‘If one of my daughters was gay, I would love them just as much.'”
— Ian Reisner, co-founder of LGBT-friendly hotel Out NYC, speaking with The New York Times.
Reisner was attending a reception for Senator Ted Cruz held at the penthouse he shares with Mati Weiderpass, his business partner (the pair were also formerly a couple). Reisner and Weiderpass are prominent gay businessmen, co-owning a substantial portion of commercial property on Fire Island Pines.
However, hosting a “candid coversation with [Cruz] on where he stood on all the issues,” according to Reisner, has caused controversy in the gay community, given Cruz’s staunch opposition to marriage equality. A Facebook page calling for a boycott of Reisner and Weiderpass’ businesses has over 4,000 likes currently, while Broadway Cares has cancelled its annual Broadway Bares fundraiser which was due to take place in one of the pair’s properties.
“Senator Ted Cruz and I disagree strongly on the issue of gay marriage, but having an open dialogue with those who have differing political opinions is a part of what this country was founded on,” Reisner said in a statement, defending his hosting of Cruz. “My tireless support of the gay community and its causes worldwide has not changed and will not change.”
“I did not shy away from the opportunity to ask the Senator about social issues, in particular marriage equality and made it clear that I completely disagree with him on that issue,” Weiderpass added.
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