The owners of a hotel located at 510 West 42nd Street in Hell’s Kitchen are facing a boycott after meeting with Republican presidential hopeful and anti-gay marriage activist Ted Cruz.
The OUT co-owners Ian Reisner and Mati Weiderpass, who also own a stake in gay beach resort the Fire Island Pine, met with Cruz on Monday, and criticism from hotel clients and activists has mounted since, according to DNAinfo.
AIDS Charity Broadway Cares canceled a May 10 event scheduled at the hotel’s club, 42 West, the organization said in a press release.
Now, a Facebook campaign calling for a boycott of Reisner and Weiderpass’ properties has received nearly 7,000 likes as of today.
Earlier this week, the Texas senator presented a bill that would establish a constitutional amendment protecting states that ban gay marriage.
The hotel owners argue that they were simply trying to persuade Cruz to soften his stance on gay marriage.
“I was given the opportunity to have a candid conversation with Senator Ted Cruz on why he should rethink his view on gay marriage,” said hotel co-owner Ian Reisner. “My support for Hillary Clinton remains steadfast and my meeting with Senator Cruz was a chance to engage head-on with Hillary’s opposition.” [DNAinfo] – Christopher Cameron