“Thank you for not breaking my virginity last night but your high wire stunt still needs improvement,” the postcard read. It was signed simply “Amanda.”
That’s just one of many bizarre letters Mike Murphy, owner of Murphy’s Lobster Grill in Sunnyside, NY, has received over the past month.
The small business owner became the subject of his own personal Lifetime movie of the week after flying a rainbow flag over his restaurant on March 2, according to the Sunnyside Post.
A few days after receiving the postcard, a package with no return address was mailed to the restaurant. It included Murphy’s business card along with a number of newspaper clippings about gay groups and gay celebrities. Days after that, another package arrived containing similar materials.
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“I wouldn’t call it hate mail,” Murphy said, “but it’s kind of scary.”
He added: “The scribbled writing is very creepy.”
One of the packages included a phone number. When Murphy tried calling, the person on the other end of the line said they had no idea what he was talking about.
In addition to the packages, Murphy claims he’s also received several anonymous phone calls from a blocked number. The telephone will ring, but when he goes to answer it, the caller just hangs up.
He said he has not yet contacted the authorities, but if he receives another package, he will.
Meanwhile, the rainbow flag still flies.
“There is no reason for me to take it down,” he says. “My restaurant welcomes everyone.”
Mike
I agree with the “nuts” on one thing. The gay flag should not be made to resemble the U.S. flag. They are two separate and uniform flags that have two different meanings and represent two different things and therefore should not be intertwined. That is also very “in your face” to some people and we should not impose our beliefs on the people whose beliefs we don’t want forced on us. It’s all about respect on more than one level. Don’t get me wrong. I’m the first one to tell these people to go fuck themselves when they do try to impose their beliefs on me. Just sayin’…
Stache99
@Mike: Please anything they don’t like will be considered “in your face”. Technically, it’s just the stars which I think it kind of brilliant.
Large Marge
@Mike: I think the flag with the star is fine as it seems to be a reference to the Pledge of Allegiance
“One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all”
…at least that’s my interpretation.
jar
@Mike: Walking down the street holding my partner’s hand could be viewed as “in your face” and “imposing beliefs.” Do you advocate against that as well? There’s something self-hating IMO about monitoring one’s behavior because others may be offended.
coltonblack
I’m sure the ones who are crank calling also trek into NYC on weekends and secretly hire escorts. Fun story Queerty.
colin4
Cm on guys seriously U r living in NY for christ sake Be a ltl mature thats so childish..now what they gna protest against gay hotels n resorts too!
Fang
@Mike: I agree with your point that the two flags should not be intertwined because they mean different things. This may be an unpopular opinion, but I don’t want to bastardize the symbol of LGBTs…the LGBT community (until recently) has historically questioned the cultural fabric of the United States, its institutions, its religion, its morals, etc. I feel like all the things the LGBT community has questioned and criticized are represented by the American flag. And also, although the rainbow flag was a symbol that originated in California, it’s now a symbol used worldwide. I’d rather think of the rainbow flag as an international symbol of unity than one restricted to a national agenda.