Earlier this week, Queerty reported on Terry Henderson, the owner of a Smashburger restaurant in Kalamazoo, MI, who posted hate-filled updates on Facebook attacking both same-sex marriage and gays in the Boys Scouts.
Hey Starbucks, want to celebrate traditional marriage with us? I didn’t think so?
“Celebrate marriage with us. We are honoring God’s design for marriage and celebrating all who have joined together as man and wife. Click LIKE if you’ve been married 10 YEARS!”
In an earlier post, Henderson also bashed efforts to end the Boy Scouts ban on openly gay members.
As an Eagle Scout, I personally know of an incident involving a sexual assault on a younger boy committed by an older homosexual boy (note, I did not use the politically correct term “gay”—let the hate mail begin). The Boy Scouts as well as many other youth organizations have had their reputations smeared in the past because they unintentionally and unknowingly allowed homosexual pedophiles into their ranks…
I ask, do you want your boy scout (or any parent’s scout) sharing a tent with an avowed homosexual? Are you content with the idea of your scout being led on overnight camping trips by openly homosexual males?
If not, please vote to help the Boy Scouts of America maintain its 100 year tradition of doing its best to do its duty to God and country. Don’t worry your vote is secret, unlike mine.
On Wednesday, Henderson sent us an email apologizing for his posts:
“I sincerely regret the comments that I recently made on my personal Facebook page. The comments were inappropriate and frankly un-Christian and I would like to apologize to the gay and lesbian community and all those who were offended.
I have taken down my Facebook page as I realize the hurtful impact my comments have had.”
We’ll leave it up to you to decide if Henderson truly had a change of heart, or realized that media coverage from Queerty and other sites was hurting his bottom line. (Henderson also runs a local marketing company).
How about we take this to the next level?
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Regardless, we appreciate his reply—and that he gave a real apology, not one of those “I’m sorry if you took it that way” cop-outs.
You can still help the LGBT community in Michigan with a donation to the Kalamazoo Gay and Lesbian Resource Center.
RichieW
I bet the only reason they are apologizing is they are afraid of the loss of business. Anyone who states that much hate may apologize but in reality really believe and feel what they said. I hope your business closes.
ArthurTreacher
Sounds like pressure from his business clients was put to bear. Regardless, it was
a decent apology and lesson learned. Moving on.
vklortho
I imagine they would have a much harder time getting away with their homophobic non-sense in Kalamazoo than in other parts of Michigan. From what I have seen Kalamazoo is LGBT friendly(the article below lists protections based on sexual orientation but Kalamazoo also has protections based on gender identity as well). I imagine it being a college town(Western Michigan University) probably helps a lot.
http://www.causes.com/actions/71416-city-expands-protections-with-gay-rights-measure
mattsy
Why are “straight” people so scared and obsessed with gays? Between this asshole and the Catholic church, its all I ever hear about! If you dont like gay stuff, then shut the fuck up and think about cats or cars or anything else!!!
sfbeast
god’s design indeed…..I believe his apology about as much as I believe he and his wife have never cheated on each other
Dresden
It matters very little whether his apology was sincere or not, I now know how he feels about my kind and would never step foot in his establishment.
Aidan8
It’s all about the cash… the profits… the guy says what he thinks and then realizes it’ll cut into the sacks of money he makes. Prick. Hopefully his restaurant will go down the toilet.
Cam
Sorry, but when they supposedly care about an issue so much that they post several times like that, then SUDDENLY have a change of heart it’s all about the money.
The bigots are finding out that today bigotry can cost you a lot of money!
Elloreigh
Maybe he’s suddenly discovered he has a gay family member?
Dakotahgeo
I don’t accept very many apologies from uptight titwad Republican Christians but… this man sounds pretty darn sincere! I accept your apology… but watch your step!
MuscleModelBlog.com
@ArthurTreacher:
Exactly. I bet his apology is like Michelle Shocked’s–he realized that he will lose a lot of money. It’s amazing how magically money can change things…
D9W
Mind changed against its will is still of the same opinion.
Billysees
I’ve heard so many of these “attention getting” cynical comments then almost always followed by an apology.
It’s the same scenario all the time.
Say it, then apologize.
Is there a subtle effort here to advertise oneself or one’s business ?
Wasn’t there an improvement in business for the chicken restaurant ?
1EqualityUSA
gay panic, small-man syndrome. Wouldn’t want to know this permed poodle.
mcflyer54
My guess (and it’s purely a guess) would be that Mr.. Henderson, as a franchise holder, might have been “advised” by the Smashburger corporate office that an apology might be in order. This “suggestion” may well have been a result of some very specific language in his franchise agreement. It just seems strange to me that someone as outspoken as Mr. Henderson would suddenly, without provacation, have such a drastic change of heart. If it was sincere than that is terrific but I’m skeptical.
Billysees
@mcflyer54: 15
Interesting. Just might be what happened.