Billy Stoltz — one of the gay owners of The Caribou Club in Aspen, Colorado — is reportedly allowing his club to be used for a fancy fundraiser for antigay Vice President Mike Pence. The event is expected to raise $875,000 for Pence and the Republican National Committee as they try to get Herr Trump re-elected alongside a bunch of other elephants.
Bob Jenkins, vice chair of Pitkin County Republicans, said he’ll not reveal the event’s location, stating, “If people know, there will be protests. It increases security (demands) drastically. Why do we Republicans want to create extra costs for the city of Aspen?”
When asked about Pence showing up at a gay-owned venue, Jenkins said, “(The gay issue) doesn’t affect whether we’re at the Caribou Club or we’re not at the Caribou Club. What’s that got to do with anything?”
Related: 6 times Mike Pence got his hilarious and well-deserved comeuppance
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Allow us to answer that question for you, Mr. Jenkins.
Pence has used the Bible as a pretext for firing queer employees, has given a keynote address at an anti-LGBTQ hate group conference, refused to mention LGBTQ people during his World AIDS Day addresses, gave a speech at a conference about “how gender ideology harms children,” is rumored to be one of the chief architects behind the transgender military ban and the ban on Pride flags at U.S. embassies during Pride month. Oh, and his wife works at a school that bans LGBTQ people.
So yeah, him being at a gay-owned venue might be a little weird, to say the least.
But perhaps Pence will meet with gay protestors anyway, despite the GOP’s desire to keep this event a secret. As The Aspen Times points out, “The last time Pence visited Aspen — in December 2017 — neighbors of the Owl Creek-area home where he stayed displayed a rainbow ‘Make America Gay Again’ banner on a pillar near the home’s driveway.”
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Roan
“Gays” for trump / pence. These queens will get priority seating on the trains and still think they’re somebody.
curiobi
So…. A gay business owner will host an event for a man who Trump said wants to hang all gays on national television. No. ABSOLUTLY NOT!
This owner should be making it clear in a statement that they have nothing to do with this! Or if they were stupid enough to want to take the money, they should stop, use their brains and realise they are spitting in the face of their own community and customers
They should have some business sense at least, even if they can’t have any ingrity!
Chrisk
The event was meant to raise almost a million for Pence to get him in for a second term where he can do some real damage. Kind of hard to backtrack on that.
Best thing to is boycott their business. The Caribou Club.
RevJames
Come on Aspen, spend your LGBTQ2+ dollars somewhere, anywhere else!
Cam
Just like gay guys Ian Reisner and MAtti Weiderpass held a fundraiser for Ted Cruise. The result, the newly opened gay themed hotel they owned lost so much business due to boycotts and cancellations they had to sell it for a fraction of what they paid.
Karma
RevJames
YUP! You don’t benefit from us unless you’re a benefit to us!
jjose712
It was very obvious that was going to happen, but they seem totally clueless.
It’s not about hosting a republican, it’s about hosting an antigay republican what it’s going to upset your potential clients
ShiningSex
self loathing queens love Trump/Pence. they’re just a vile.
CanisMajoris
To each their own i say. Maybe “stiff dick” needs the money for his “stormtroopers” ! I mean come on gays..even a Vice Emperor needs to make a buck anywhere he can. But that a Gay Bar is hosting it, well once word gets out..so long Bar..we did have fun though !!!!
bowlingbutch
I emailed this club in Aspen telling them if any of their employees had not experienced discrimination and hatred by the Republican party I would be surprised and by hosting the Republicans they were telling their employees they are less than. Shame on them.
johnnymcmxxx
Money always sides with money. This Gay business owner is wealthy, self satisfied and disconnected from the 99% Gay people who still struggle. The rich pull the strings and make us fight amongst ourselves to distract us from the real enemy: the 1%
Hermes
Class solidarity is real, but let me say please, SOME OF US JUST KEEP GOING FURTHER LEFT – no matter how much money is involved. I can give to charity, but others will not – and until all do well, then none do well. We are in this universe and on this rock TOGETHER. SOLIDARITY – VICTORY TO THE LEFT. Sorry, my partner and were never wishy washy, so 🙂 Peace and love to all of you.
Kenover
We know why Pence is going; he wants money and isn’t too particular about where it comes from. The more perplexing question is why are gay men opening their business to a bunch of gay-hating assholes who are diligently working to restrict and abolish LGBTQ rights? These gay traitors should be protested year round, not just when Pence comes calling to line his pockets. Run them outta town!
mosm
Isn’t it a bit weird to protest bakers unwilling to sell a cake for a same-sex marriage and at the same time protest property owners renting their place to Pence? Business owners should not discriminate, period.
Hermes
Let me answer that, we are moderate fund raisers for the Democrats. NO ONE ON EARTH that I have ever known RENTS an establishment for a fund raiser. It’s an inkind donation. I’ve taken inkind donations from friends in the NorthEast in order to host fund raisers. This funder is big enough to rent (only the huge ones ever do) but if you do, its in a swank hotel, not a private club – gay or straight. From someone who has been involved in this struggle, I find it inconceivable that the owners of the club mentioned are not donating the space, and possibly are on the header of the invitations. Normally those who give the most inkind or in money are. So, if the Republicans went and asked to rent, I agree – but if as I suspect they donated the space – that is very different.