The River Valley Equality Center claims its fundraiser was canceled by the Sisters Gourmet Bistro after the restaurant found out it was a gay and lesbian advocacy group.
Sisters Owner Richard Hodo told ABC’s Northwest Arkansas affiliate, KHBS, that “there were no reservations to hold any kind of fundraiser” and informed the RVEC that he does not support their cause” and “that if they want to do that that’s their business.”
“I do not care, but I don’t support their lifestyle and their cause,” Hodo added. “This is a private club and I have the right to refuse service to anyone.”
RVEC Director Erin Fowler said Hodo was “embarrassed” to be associated with their group and likened the RVEC to the Ku Klux Klan.
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“What I told the lady on the on the phone,” was, Hodo clarified, “if the KKK came here and wanted to hold a fundraiser rally and all that, I wouldn’t allow that either.”
“It felt like he was comparing us as equals with the KKK and we’re about completely opposite things,” said Sarah Sarrubbo, an organizer with the RVEC. They had hoped to raise money to cover the costs of applying for their non-profit status, now as a result they are planning an Awareness Day.
“We feel it is important that this man see who we are,” they wrote on their Facebook wall. “We will just be there to raise Awareness that the LGBT community does exist in this area, including Van Buren, Arkansas.”
redcarpet
Love ya like a cold sore Arkansas!
2eo
Richard Hodo is yet another person running to a paper to air his bigotry. I urge people to get in touch with him here.
Richard L Hodo
1205 Woodland Creek Cir
Van Buren, AR 72956-2274
479) 474-4700
2eo
Guys in his late 60’s, so no abusive calls please. Act like adults.
Ogre Magi
Typical christian crap!
damon459
This is from their about section on facebook, “Providing fine bistro dining and treating every customer like family. We would like to invite you to join us!” If this is how they treat family it’s a wonder they have any customers at all. On their yelp page they also mention they aren’t children friendly. Oh and their website is now down, seems business isn’t doing so well for them.
Evji108
If you live in Alabama or Arkansas and you are gay, best to get the hell out of dodge ASAP.
Seriously, leave. You can’t fix stupid.
Evji108
If you live in Alabama or Arkansas and you are gay, best to get the hell out of dodge ASAP.
Seriously. Leave. You can’t fix stupid.
Evji108
whoops sorry
Stache1
@damon459: Screw their facebake page. Time for some Yelp reviews.
Harley
Just cause you CAN discriminate doesn’t mean you are immune to facing the consequences of that discrimination. The religious right has turned the word “family” into a reason to hate on any group who doesn’t live by their standards. Shame.
pride21
@2eo: WOW!!! We have enough trouble with hate.. you want to spread it by sending stuff to the mans house?? Wanna know the sad part??? You dont even know the story… The Equality goup called to reserve a table for 12… then put an add in the paper for their event to be open to the public and that a live comedian would be present… But they didnt pay to reserve the restaurant for their event. Just a table of 12. They were not paying for a party.. thats why their event was cancelled.