The owner of a landscaping company discriminated against a gay couple in denying them service, brazenly posting his homophobia online for the world to see.
Consider him seen.
Stuart DiNenno (above) runs Botanica Atlanta Landscape and Design, bosting of tastefully completed projects on his company website.
So when the offer to transform Colton Southworth’s large yard into a botanical wonderland arose, you’d think Stuart would chomp at the bit.
How about we take this to the next level?
Our newsletter is like a refreshing cocktail (or mocktail) of LGBTQ+ entertainment and pop culture, served up with a side of eye-candy.
There was just one problem: Southworth is gay.
Colton had just moved into the Atlanta-area home with his husband when he called DiNenno about the couple’s landscaping needs, but before he could offer project specifics, DiNenno wanted to get one thing straight — very straight.
“He asked me if the project was for myself and my wife, and I said ‘no, it’s for myself and my husband.’ And he said that he would not be interested in working with us. At that time, I responded, ‘OK,’ and hung up the phone,’” Southworth told 11 Alive.
“I was a little taken back because no one has ever said that to me,” he added. “This was the first time that myself and my partner were inclusively discriminated against based on our relationship.”
Southworth took to Yelp to share the experience, writing:
Contacted today about a very large project in Sandy Springs. The owner asked if the work was for me and my wife, I said no me and my husband and he replied that he wouldn’t be interested in working with us.
About two weeks later, DiNenno responded by shamelessly confirming his prejudice:
Yes, this is an accurate description of what happened. When doing a large landscaping project it is necessary to work with the homeowners closely over several months through the design and installation phases. I can’t do that, all the while going along with the delusion of two men calling themselves a married couple, with one man referring to the other man as his husband. It’s very perverse and foolish, and needs to be called out as such.
Then DiNenno, who identifies as a Christian, reportedly posted this to his personal Facebook page:
I average about one or two calls per year from sodomites or lesbians. I always turn them down.
DiNenno’s Yelp page isn’t exactly thriving since the interaction. He says his listing has been flooded with fake negative reviews, and while Yelp has removed most of them, the few that remain do not reflect well on him or his company.
In denying service to Southworth based solely on sexual orientation, DiNenno broke no laws. Georgia is one of the majority of U.S. states that do not specifically prohibit LGBTQ discrimination. The city of Atlanta, however, does. But because DiNenno operates the business outside the city limits, and Southworth’s home also falls outside the city’s border, it’s unlikely to be of any use in this case.
The Supreme Court, meanwhile, recently ruled in favor of Jack Phillips, a Colorado business owner who refused to bake a cake for a gay couple because doing so would violate his religious beliefs.
Watch below:
Chrisk
Shocking that the guy also happens to be a major asshole as well as a Christian defending his beliefs…or maybe not.
ElPillo
He is no Christian. No where in the Bible does Jesus ever discriminate for such reason, although he did go after hypocrites and false sanctimonious “believers”
cb225
This ass is a jerk and claims to be a Christian. This is insane! I am gay and partnered and we are both Christians. Our god and Jesus Christ are loving and caring setting good examples for all people. This guy may probably burn in his own personal hell for his nonchristian ideas and actions. I am not one to judge but his business fail.
TomG
It would be nice if homophobes would understand that marriage is a legal arrangement between two people and it has NOTHING to do with religion. Plus, it’s ALSO LEGAL in this country ! Sheesh, people just do not seem to want to join the 21st century !
Chrisk
@TomG. I think he understands but the whole hate anyone that’s different from me is more then issue.
Xzamilloh
Nope.. he’s a Christian. He’s just one of the millions of Christians that belong to one of the thousands of denominations that don’t agree on how to interpret the contradictory collection of nonsensical stories and platitudes called the bible.
batesmotel
He’s no real Christian. Real authentic Christians only have love and support for all souls.
charlieeod74
I love in the panhandlers of Florida, I have yet to meet a Christian who wasn’t an asshole.
Kangol
Yet another conservative homophobe caught denying business to LGBTQ people, no surprise there!
As the article says, “Georgia is one of the majority of U.S. states that do not specifically prohibit LGBTQ discrimination.” I.e., a majority–not just a few–US states deny equal protection under the law for LGBTQ people in employment, housing, etc., and if the GOP and its right-wing judges have their way, even those protections could be stripped away, since these fanatics choose to outright the US Constitution’s guarantee of equal protections under the law.
Kangol
They “outright ignore the US Constitution’s guarantee of equal protections under the law.”
KevInSD
@Kangol – There is no such thing as “LGBTQ people” and no state – not even the most liberal blue state – has any statute which recognizes or protects so-called “queers” (a term with no fixed meaning).
Also, “outright the Constitution” is not a coherent use of the English language.
scotshot
@KevinSD – Thanks for your fake opinion. Keep in mind that here is no such thing as KevinSD.,
Heywood Jablowme
@scotshot: True, there is no such thing as KevinSD, he is really Danny595!
Kangol
@Scotshot, KevInSD and his doppelgänger, StraightnNarrow (CastleSF), love to follow behind my posts & troll. They’re a bit obsessed. SnN (CastleSF) once even tried to berate me about not find enough white guys on here attractive, or some bizarre racist nonsense like that. They’re struggling with their sexualities, and terrified of anything that doesn’t fall within narrow parameters. BTW, if you ever want to scare SnN (CastleSF), just mention “fisting.” LOL
Kangol
“Not finding enough…” Fast typing, no quick edit function!
Chrisk
@Heywood Jablowme. Before Danny595 it was Jacob23. They can change their names but not their shitty personality.
GayEGO
All you have to do is look at DiNenno and you can tell he is a low down scumbag religious bigot. We are on a bumpy road to equal rights but we will get there!
Charli Girl
KevinSD…. you know you’d feel much better if you get your ass back in that kitchen and fix me a sammich, boy!!
This Gay Alpha Female is hungry!
Charli Girl
Gayego your comment was the last one available to link to the very sad and insecure KEVINSD
d3clark
If he is going to work for months on a landscaping project, he should be spending his time thinking about the project, not what the owners are doing with their lives. Does he ask straight couples if they commit sodomy before he’ll take their job on? He’s just a horticultural hater trying to defend himself by using religion. May his days be filled with poison sumac and heat rash.
TomG
Does he even check if those straight couples are married and not just living together (in sin as they would call it)? Bigotry knows now boundaries and well when straight non-bigoted people learn of his decision he lost them as customers too.
Mack
While not on topic, it’s very close. One of the first cases that Kavanaugh will hear is one that relates to whether or not LGBTQ is a protected class when it comes to hiring and firing. Matter of fact the case was held back so that once confirmed he’ll be there to hear the case.
KevInSD
There is no such thing as “LGBTQ people.”
There is no case which raises the question of whether “LGBTQ people are a protected class.”
There are several cases dealing with whether Title VII’s prohibition on sex discrimination should be construed to include sexual orientation and gender identity. The SO and GI issues are raised in separate cases and will be decided separately.
Dave4445
@KevInSD Of course there really are LGBTQ people, and when civil rights laws are passed to protect us, the terms ‘sexual orientation’ and ‘gender identity are used, because discrimination against us is based on these identities.
Your nitpicking is just silly. We have no federal protection under the Civil Rights Act of 1964 like every other minority, women and even white Christians whose race and religion make them protected classes. So this will be decided in the courts because Congress is too dysfunctional to do the right thing.
A lesbian couple was denied housing at a senior facility this past year because of their orientation, they’re suing. Clearly unconstitutional because solid precedent has been established with the treatment of every other minority and women and public opinion is solidly on our side. Even if conservative judges rule against us on occasion, we will gain equal rights eventually. It couldn’t be more obvious.
bbbbmer
when men express such homophobic views, it’s usually because they ‘want it’….. i’d let him do ME, but he looks like he stinks…..
Chrisk
On the news segment they showed his house. Just a small plain shit hole. Kind of surprising really. I’d pass him up just based on that.
JH0607
All the comments here seem so hateful. Why do they want to do business with him if he hates them? I don’t understand. I would move on if someone did not want to do business with me for any reason.
DCguy
The typical anti-lgbt troll defense.
So the guy attacking LGBT rights is a victim but calling him out for it is “hateful”.
Get us some better trolls, you’re terrible at this.
Juanjo
Now here is an example of a delusional thinking pattern. JH0607 [interestng name] ignores the facts of the case or the insidious nature of bigotry and discrimination.
JH0607
Just because someone’s opinion is different than yours does not make him a “troll” or “delusional.” Thinking that makes you the worst kind of bigot.
iauajo
I agree. Now that you know his beliefs, stay away. Life isn’t fair, everyone isn’t going to like who you are, Deal with it!
Dave in Northridge
@JH0607 – worst kind of bigot? It takes one to know one.
DrEvel1
I wouldn’t fault the couple here. It’s clear that they did move on. It would have been overkill here to make a major public stink about this or file a lawsuit, but since the company makes itself available for comments through Yelp, it seems perfectly in line to leave such a comment, if only to warn other gay couples about the reception they might expect to receive. That’s part of what Yelp is for. They didn’t call anyone names, or otherwise get editorial; they merely reported what happened. If this has received wider publicity, it’s hardly their fault.
scotshot
@JHO607 A significant number of Trolls creep through this site with the “delusional” idea that they have just exhibited great wit toward the queers with their superior brains. You apparently don’t realize you’re merely tossing lines from the right’s talking points script to people who have heard this pap many times before.
You are not original.
You have nothing to add.
Do not waste our time.
Please move on and do not return.
JH0607
@ScotShot I have a feeling that people don’t hate you because you’re gay. They hate you because you’re a douche. Do you now expect legislation to make it illegal to discriminate against douches?
DCguy
@ JH0607
Wow, the anti-LGBT trolls are STILL trying that B.S. line where people advocating for bigotry, racism and stripping away civil rights of people have a “Different Opinion”.
Yeah, and Rapists and rape victims have a “Different Opinion” on rape.
Please tell the RNC to send better trolls.
Chrisk
@JH0607. Lets see. You start off being a douche and then call others that point it out a douche. Pot meet your kettle. Lol
Dave4445
Right! Nothing at all trollish about coming to a site called ‘Queerty’ to voice support for a business owner refusing to serve ‘sodomites.’
Silly silly trolls.
gayjim1969
You didn’t read the article very closely, because if you had, you would know that the couple DIDN’T want to work with the homophobic contractor after his unprofessional and prejudicial behavior. Rationales like yours don’t take into account that 1) people, such as this couple, don’t generally know that business owners are going to be ignorant toward them, and 2) none of them want to work with them afterward.
3) They DO want the public to know what kind of people these business owners are so they can’t hide. Conservatives say, “Let the free market decide if the business owners are right or not.” LGBTQ people help in that effort when we tell the public about companies that discriminate against us.
It is about being treated equally and fairly, and they need to realize that, just like other minorities, discrimination won’t be tolerated or suffered in silence anymore.
mr.erichazen
His work looks mediocre anyway… Yall can do better than that.
Its sad that there are still those kind of people out there, but is very real…. thank god most of the closed minded and ignorant people are getting to the end of there run. Give it another 10-15years and all this nonsense will be 6 ft under!
Italicsmine
Why would I want to spend time or money with a proprietor who doesn’t approve of my lifestyle?
Imagine the half-assed job he would have done if he hated the customer yet never said a word?
There’s too much competition who treat customers right
JH0607
I agree. There is way to much playing the victim everywhere, including the so-called victims in this story.
DrEvel1
How is it “playing the victim” to report on your experience with a retailer? That’s what Yelp is for after all. Their post merely reported the exchange; they didn’t call names or the like. It’s just basic good consumer behavior.
DCguy
@ JH0607
Notice how the anti-LGBT troll accounts ALWAYS attack LGBT people who are the victims of bigotry?
This guy is attacking them and yet they are “Playing the victim”.
Queerty, these aren’t LGBT accounts, they are simply troll accounts sent here to shill for the GOP. Please bring back the moderators.
JH0607
@ DCguy
If your opinion is the only correct one, why do you even bother reading the opinions of others? And why do you feel the need for legislation and chatroom moderation to silence the opinions of others? Seems like you have a dictator complex issue.
Dave4445
@JH0607
You hang out at Queerty to voice objection to queer people chatting about some asshole business owner in Atlanta calling gay men wanting to hire him, ‘sodomites’ on social media.
Wake up! You’re the one playing victim. You little snowflake.
Daryl-Atlanta
There my be a violation here as the article reads: “But because DiNenno operates the business outside the city limits, and Southworth’s home also falls outside the city’s border, it’s unlikely to be of any use in this case. ” If you look at Stallworth’s website at the very bottom of the page with all of the photographs of his work is his business address: 2870 Peachtree Road NW, Box #231, Atlanta, GA 30305-2908. That’s a UPS Store (next to Party City) where the man’s business advertises itself as its address as well as where the business receives its mail. The address shown is in the (tony/fashionable) Buckhead Neighborhood (giving the impression that the business is located in Atlanta’s most exclusive neighborhood). As the UPS Store is inside the Peach Shopping Center and is definitely inside of the City of Atlanta…it sure sounds like he’s also using his as his legal business address as that’s what his website indicates. Perhaps a look at his business license might confirm this.
gayjim1969
Good point!
metta
Some of those photos look familiar. There is a good chance that those are stock photos on that landscaper’s website. Look at the front of the owners home. It does not look like the quality of the photos.
jkthsnk
Unfortunately there is no specific Constitutional protection of orientation or identity as of yet. That is why the people who hate us want to ram through SCOTUS and other appointments. The lower courts are being loaded with conservative activists. Just as unfortunate is that there are rich bigots who will see this as an indorsement of his business. I guess we keep fighting? I’m very discouraged.
Kangol
Please don’t be discouraged, and never give up the fight. That’s what the homophobes and their allegedly gay enablers want. We’ve made it this far, and we must fighting for full equality under the law.
Doug
I hope this blows up in DiNenno’s face.
Young Timer
As bad as this situation is, it could have been avoided.
Instead of the TV station, Southworth’s second call should have been to the Better Business Bureau.
A friend of mine hired this firm for some minor work, which had to be torn out and redone when the business refused to respond to the problem. Unfortunately, my friend did not report the incident, and probably neither has anyone else. But that is not the only guide.
Although there are no complaints or reviews on this business, the Better Business Bureau says this landscaping firm is not an accredited member of the bureau, as most reputable companies are. Landscaping companies have a history of being fly-by-night companies, operated with pickup trucks out of people’s homes. Reputable companies have histories with the BBB.
In this case, that’s the only red flag you need.
Good luck, Colton. All of Georgia is not redneck.
JH0607
The landscaper is kinda hot…I would do that. The gay guy does nothing for me.
Heywood Jablowme
Go ahead and come on to him. We’ll all be interested to learn what his reaction is. 🙂
Ashke113
Boy you are just stuck on stupid. If you ever do meet that landscaper and hit on him knowing he hates us and doesn’t want anything to do with us, I hope it’s recorded so people can see your ignorant ass get swapped down to the floor. Anything that happens is on you
tommy4429
No, bigots, frauds and liars need to be called out.
theWorldyouMade
I’ll say this once very clearly so the world can understand, “it’s bad business.” In the modern world we live in for hundreds of years that which this country was founded on follows the simple principle of seaperation from church and state, but yet idiots blindly act out on impulse…
Do not give an idiot who runs their business with terrible principles any time of day. They are blinded by their beliefs and will not change, it’s not worth it.
Give your business to someone who wants your business.
Don’t be upset that someone’s an idiot, it’s not worth it.
Our community is strong, but don’t give up…
Give your business to someone who appreciates having business, they are the t
dean089
So is this guy the only landscaper in Atlanta? I’m thinking not. Assholes exist, people, get over it. Give your money to someone else. That’s the best revenge.
Black Pegasus
So what will the gay community in the Atlanta are do about this? Something tells me they will do nothing.
jaack
There is a significant block of citizens who won’t stand for intolerance. They can change the laws by using the ballot box and by making your voices heard. Mobilizing voters is the ONLY way to change things in any city or federally.
jaack
Dear JH0607 you wrote “Just because someone’s opinion is different than yours does not make him a “troll” or “delusional.” Thinking that makes you the worst kind of bigot.” Actively denying a person goods/ services is so much different than what I think about a person. Thinking about someone does not DENY my expertise to any person. Active denial because of perceived religious bigotry is not an opinion. I saw so much bigotry in America because of religious intolerance. My faith demand that we love one another as if he or she were Jesus himself. This Intolerance is pure ignorance, injustice, and inequality.
JH0607
I was referring to the commenters who attack anyone with a different opinion.
nm4047
His business, so like any other business that can afford to choose their customer base, I’d by happy to hear the name of the business and just not deal with them, end of story. Maybe once Trump gets his nominee up for the supreme court, Americans may need to get used to this type of story (assuming it makes the mainstream news).
thephoenix80
Using a book that was written thousands of years ago to justify hating a group of people simply because they’re different is within the same spectrum as the KKK (another “christian” group). Sadly, they’ll never realize that.
JH0607
I hired a gay landscaper and his work was terrible. I ended up firing his lame ass and had to sue him for the damage he did. Does it make me a bigot guilty of discrimination because he’s gay?
Heywood Jablowme
That analogy doesn’t work at all. Nor is it believable that you hired a landscaper (gay or otherwise), or that you could tell a plastic plant from a real one.
theafricanwiththemouth
Lol, stupid example, stupid comment.
You come off as oblivious and ignorant.
girldownunder
Anyone who defends this guy’s bigotry is just a throwback to all of the other bigots-of-yore. Whites-only drinking fountains, etc….aren’t all that far gone, you know. If you’re going into business, then you do business with everyone or no one.
JH0607
That is blatantly untrue. Businesses do not have to do business with everyone or no one. Supposing you owned a sign shop and some Nazis wanted you to produce swastikas. Would you refuse? Supposing you owned a bakery and a child molester wanted you to bake naked child cookies. Would you refuse? If you would not refuse, then you just an asshole.
theafricanwiththemouth
Again, stupid examples, stupid comments.
Every example you have given features actual criminals. People considered criminal under the law. That alone shows your f**ked logic.
A gay couple is a legal and right under the law (at least in the US and other countries), so they do not fit besides the kinds of individuals you so graciously gave as examples.
Now, about the couple in the story, it’s clear they didn’t start drama. He said he won’t work with there, and they in return said a simple “okay”. Also, naturally, they left a review on his yelp page to state their opinion on the business. How in any is that wrong.
The homophobic business owner whom you have the hots for (enjoy yourself) runs a homophobic business, and they decided to relay that on the yelp page, how’s that bad? Did they sue him or anything? No, they only gave his homophobic business the review it deserved and have ovbiously moved on to a more suitable business.
But please, keep on giving us more nuggets of wisdom. You’ll only keep coming off as oblivious and ignorant.
Chrisk
@JH0607. False equivalency. The shithead owner was not asked to do anything other then provide landscaping. For your statement to make sense he would need to be required to perform sexual services for them as well.
RexRed
Stuart DiNenno prefers planting flowers in worship of a 30 year old virgin who was a “fisher of men” over a married gay couple. Jesus and “the disciple whom Jesus loved” would probably have to also look elsewhere for their gardening needs. Stuart DiNenno’s problem is homophobia, not conflicts with Christianity.
JH0607
How is constantly bashing homophobes going to make them like you?
theafricanwiththemouth
@JH0607 where is the constant bashing in his comment? Do point it out.
Seems like you just asked a stupid question (along with your stupid examples).
Chrisk
@JH0607. You’re obviously just trolling.
jtgaybear
He people don’t get so overwhelmed. That the story is told is good. So all LGBTs can take their business elsewhere. But wanting to do a hater is a bit too far and what JHxxxxx wrote should be deleted and his ass kicked off this site. Such guys are just a disgrace. There are many countries (mine included) where it is legal to discriminate us in this way! Just let the news travel. Many of you will know bad comments travel 10 times longer then good ones! They already are on their way! Let nature do the trick for us!! Just an old European giving his outside view on things.
derek mcgillicuddy
In America, the right to be an asshole is guaranteed. In fact, we elect them as President and allow them to serve on the Supreme Court.
jrh311
You got the SCOTUS ruling wrong. Again. They did not rule he could discriminate; they ruled that his original trial was unfair. You should know this by now.
misterjack
Another Christ-Stain bigot. Quel surprise.
JH0607
It is not “bigoted” to turn down a job. The business owner has rights too. Most normal people would rather not deal with the kind of gays who flaunt it. So the gays should take their business elsewhere and everyone is happy. Except you.
JK 1984
JH0607, how in any way were they “flaunting it”?
The landscaper asked “is this for you and your wife?”, he said no it is for me and my husband. That is answering a question posed. If the couple said that and then immediately started h going at it inn front of the landscaper then I would consider that “flaunting it”.
They did take their business elsewhere and left an accurate description of the conversation on yelp as a warning for future gay or gay-friendly customers, as confirmed by the landscapers own reply. This will save time for potential future customers and also the bigot so is a win for everyone.
And yes it is bigotry when you are denying services to someone based on their characteristics, rather than your ability to do a job/availability.
JH0607
There is no “victory” by having companies legislatively forced to conduct business with people they don’t like. I would just kill myself if businesses thought my behavior was so abhorrent that the only way they would interact with me is by threat of fines or jail. I have more self-esteem than that and conduct myself accordingly.
Lacuevaman
When you are a self-loathing closed homosexual man living as a Christian straight man, it is very difficult to be associated with queers who are comfortable with themselves. I thought everyone know that.
Lacuevaman
knew
Birdbrain1963
Oh wow, another Old Testament Christian.
Shaner
He did them a favour by not accepting their work. Could you imagine having a homophobe working in tour house or yard for months. His loss of what I’m sure would have been an amazing yard.