CRUZ FALLOUT: Broadway Cares Cancels AIDS Fundraiser At Ian Reisner's Hotel

[markpkessinger]

From Joe.my.God.blogspot.com:

[font size=5]CRUZ FALLOUT: Broadway Cares Cancels AIDS Fundraiser At Ian Reisner's Hotel[/font]

From the executive director of Broadway Cares:

t is with regret that we have decided to cancel this year’s edition of the Broadway Bares Solo Strips fundraiser, which was scheduled for May 10 at the NYC club 42West. We cannot in good conscience hold an event at a venue whose owners have alienated our community, as reflected in an April 23 New York Times story and an April 24 follow-up post. We do business with and accept fundraising support from a variety of people across a wide spectrum of political and religious affiliations. The rich diversity of our community makes what we do together so special. It is a rare instance where the actions of a donor negatively impacts us as an organization and potentially jeopardizes our relationship with others whose support is integral to our success. But when it does occur, in a way that’s blatantly against all we stand and work for, we can’t pretend it doesn’t come with consequences. Silence is not a neutral position. It is complicit. This is not about partisan politics or punishment. This is about doing what’s right to ultimately ensure that our commitment to the men, women and children we serve cannot be questioned.

Fallout has been equally swift across Manhattan's clubland. Links to the boycott of Reisner's properties have been posted by top New York City club promoters John Blair and Mark Nelson, both of whom have worked with Reisner's clubs in the past. Facebook pages for Reisner's various businesses have been deluged with negative comments and vows to stay away. Also interesting are boycott pledges by summer-long residents of Fire Island Pines, who would have few other options as Reisner recently paid $10M for 80% of the resort town's commercial district. At this writing the boycott's Facebook group has grown to over 4100 members in just one day.

NOTE: Broadway Bares 25 will take place as scheduled at the Hammerstein Ballroom on June 24th.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

1. Trying to find the "Cruz" aspect of this

Ted Cruz?

[markpkessinger]

2. Here's the back story . . .

Two wealthy gay hoteliers, who own the Out Hotel NYC, as well as several businesses in Fire Island Pines (historically a gay summer resort) hosted a private dinner for Ted Cruz and 12 guests. When it was reported in the New York Times, the LGBT community here went ballistic (and rightly so, in my view). This couple specifically markets their businesses to the gay community, as gay-owned and gay-friendly. The LGBT community has not taken kindly to business owners who are happy to take our money, but are 'sleeping with the enemy' on the side.

Here's a link to a Talking Points Memo article about it: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/activists-backlash-hoteliers-ted-cruz

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

3. thanks...these guys have mental problems or something? I dont understand why they are

not sickened by Cruz

[markpkessinger]

5. They are gay, but they are right-wingers

They claimed they had "common ground" with Cruz concerning national defense and Israel.

[NoJusticeNoPeace]

7. Assholes then. First of all, Ted Cruz would guarantee this country at war and many deaths

so they are dead wrong on national defense, and that they dont want PEACE in the ME, fuck em

[markpkessinger]

8. I'm with you 100%! n/t

[awoke_in_2003]

9. Log Cabin republicans

They just don't get it- most republicans don't like gay folk, and some want them dead. They make about as much sense at African American KKK members.

[eggplant]

13. What, you don't like Uncle Ruckus?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uncle_Ruckus

[pinto]

6. 'Ted Cruz Is Guest of Two Gay Businessmen' (NY Times)

http://www.nytimes.com/2015/04/24/us/politics/at-new-york-reception-ted-cruz-is-said-to-strike-different-tone-toward-gays.html?

snip -

Mr. Reisner and Kalman Sporn, who advises Mr. Cruz’s Middle East team and served as the moderator for the evening, said the senator told the group that marriage should be left up to the states. The evening focused primarily on foreign policy, including a discussion of gay rights in Israel versus the rest of the Middle East, and opposition to President Obama.

An aide to Mr. Cruz, reached on Thursday, reiterated that the senator is opposed to same-sex marriage.

[beam me up scottie]

4. Good. I hope they get a lot more of it.

[SoCalDem]

10. Amen.. We have to starve the beast

It makes NO sense to me to give the lifeblood (MONEY) to the people who are evil and detrimental to society.

Let them trade with each other and see how generous they really are

[beam me up scottie]

11. Smart folks know social media is very powerful tool.

Stupid ones ignore it at their peril.

[spanone]

12. mr cruz is toxic.

[Doctor_J]

14. The only recourse people have is to withhold their money

Glad Broadway cares stepped up