Indiana Pizzeria: No Pies for Gay Weddings

[DonViejo]

Last edited Wed Apr 1, 2015, 10:50 AM - Edit history (1)

Source: TDB/ABC News

A Walkertown, Indiana, pizza shop is the state’s first business to declare it will discriminate against gays after the Religious Freedom Restoration Act was signed into law last week. “If a gay couple came in and wanted us to provide pizzas for their wedding, we would have to say no,” Memories Pizza owner Crystal O’Connor told a local news station. “We are a Christian establishment.” However, gay couples—like those of other faiths—are welcome to patronize the establishment on non-matrimonial occasions. “I don’t think it’s discrimination,” O’Connor says. “It’s supposed to help people that have a religious belief.” Gov. Mike Pence said yesterday that he didn’t believe the law allowed discrimination but asked for new legislation to “fix” the RFRA by the end of the week.

Read it at ABC News

Read more: http://www.thedailybeast.com/cheats/2015/04/01/indiana-pizzeria-no-pie-for-gay-couples.html

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Indiana Pizzeria Vows To Never Deliver A Pizza To A Gay Wedding

-snip-

O'Connor told WBND that she doesn't believe the law allows for discrimination or specifically targets gays.

But her father suggested that the family shouldn't be punished for refusing to cater same-sex weddings if they were asked to do so.

"That's a lifestyle that you choose," Kevin O'Connor told WBND. "I choose to be heterosexual. They choose to be homosexual. Why should I be beat over the head because they choose that lifestyle?"

The family later clarified for the news station that they would not deny service to a same-sex or non-Christian couple who came to eat at the restaurant.

Watch below via WBND:

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/memories-pizza-indiana-anti-gay-law

[TheCowsCameHome]

1. I think I'll phone in an order before the auction.

This place is done.

[George II]

32. Order 50 pizzas and have them delivered to Pence's office - see if they pay for them.

[Sherman A1]

2. Pardon me for a moment

The level of *%/&(# here is just simply beyond me. Everyone has a right to their belief system, but in business a sale is a sale and as has been said....

"You can never make up lost sales."

I expect this charming establishment to experience a "bit" of a backlash....

[RKP5637]

3. “It’s supposed to help people that have a religious belief.” Yeah, right, like

discrimination, persecution and bigotry. So, like WTF, let me get this right. One is free from bigotry on certain items, but bigotry kicks in for others. This place is a den of bigoted fools.

[jtuck004]

4. “If a gay couple came in and wanted us to provide pizzas for their wedding..."<

Seriously?

[dubient]

5. Pizza at a Wedding?

Is that an Indiana thing?

[FailureToCommunicate]

11. Only at gay weddings

apparently.

"Well dear, it's back to the guests choosing the chicken or the fish..."

[Sanity Claws]

16. Anybody who would plan a wedding with pizza should not get married.

I'm not Emily Post or Martha Stewart but, man, pizza at a wedding strikes me as a big faux pas.

[uppityperson]

58. Seriously? I can not understand why someone would think this. I got married outside, with family,

and then had a big potluck reception. People do all sorts of things and to say they should not get married because they don't hold a Traditional Wedding is incredible. Especially in a thread talking about prejudices and bigotry.

[Sanity Claws]

60. Nothing wrong with a potluck reception

If I had a wedding in which a potluck reception was being held, I would not appreciate it if a guest showed up with a pizza. It would indicate that he put very little effort or thought into it. Of course, there may be an exception to that, such as someone in the wedding party absolutely loved pizzas and would eat it for every meal if he could. IMHO, pizzas are fine for frat parties but not a wedding.

I still can't believe how you can twist a remark about pizzas being a faux pas for a wedding and imply that the remark is prejudiced and bigoted.

[uppityperson]

62. "Anybody who would plan a wedding with pizza should not get married" does prejudge people

"I would never have pizza at my wedding" talks about you. "Anyone who" prejudges others.

There are all sorts of ways of holding weddings and to say "anyone who would plan a wedding with pizza should not" is the part I have a problem with as yes, it does prejudge people.

[Sanity Claws]

63. This ranks with one of the dumbest conversations I have ever engaged in.

It is ending now.
Welcome to my ignore list.

[uppityperson]

65. You put me on ignore for pointing out prejudging others? OK, probably for the best.

[Warren Stupidity]

69. You are now a VERY BAD PERSON

and that is what I like about you.

[uppityperson]

72. Thank you. I call it when I see it. This thread inspired this poll.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10026447030

[HappyMe]

83. That had to be one of the most bizarre things I've read here.

I actually prefer going to more casual weddings. I would rather have pizza, bbq or a potluck than rubbery chicken, limp salad or dried up fish.

We went to a bbq wedding last summer. Shorts, tshirts, burgers, Italian sausage, chicken and all the usual sides. Ice cold beer or wine. We had so much fun.

[swimboy]

85. Traditionally,

you would have white pizza at your first wedding only.

[HappyMe]

86. I know. Some are very strict about that.

You don't want the elderly aunties and grandma shaking their heads and frowning.

[MADem]

78. I went to a wedding in Italy where pizza was a big part of the reception.

The party was held in the bride's parents' villa, attended by nearly two hundred people, and they had a huge outdoor eating area, replete with "summer kitchen" and a pizza oven which was manned by one of the guys who owned the pizza shop down the street and around the corner. We danced our feet off and gorged on all kinds of food far into the night, include pizza.

Just because these shop owners are bigots is no reason to "dis" a food that a lot of people just love. Pizza is good. Bigots are not. And people should celebrate a personal event like marriage howsoever they want.

[roody]

68. I would say they are not really gay if they were

so crass as to serve pizza at their wedding.

[MosheFeingold]

54. Pizza Comes After the Ceremonial Bowling

But really, the solution is to ignore this.

"Huh?" you say.

Well, we all know that pizza is not a big wedding meal. Possible, but remote. A gay couple in Indiana ordering Pizza for a wedding is yet even more remote, statistically speaking (although I suppose it might become a "thing" now).

So, for this non-issue and non-event, said Pizza company got national exposure, tons of local exposure, and can cater to the Holier-than-Thou crowd, akin to how Chick-Fil-A become more popular by a certain segment of the population when attacked.

In sum: this was a publicity stunt, and a rather effective one. Don Draper would be proud.

Solution: don't give them what they want. Ignore them.

+++++++++++
On a completely different topic, why is government even involved in marriage? It's a religious and/or private rite and/or contract. None of the government's business. We don't live in Scotland anymore with the English king having a chance to take the bride for a test ride. Time to move out of the middle ages on this.

[Warren Stupidity]

71. Dude.

[tridim]

6. "Memories Pizza" is an apt name

Since it will be nothing more than a memory as they spiral out of business due to their stupid religious bigotry.

It's not just Republican politicians that are committing political suicide.

[foo_bar]

7. heh.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/memories-pizza-walkerton

[freeplessinseattle]

12. Hah! This is hilarious-esp the pics!:) eom

[SwankyXomb]

46. Look at the More Business Info sidebar

Just a few highlights. Look like someone's been busy.

Parking
Valet

Attire
Formal (Jacket Required)

Ambience
Touristy

Noise Level
Very Loud

[City Lights]

14. Thank you for the link!

Really good stuff!

Karma's a bitch. Hee hee.

[F4lconF16]

31. Bwaaaaahaha

These comments:

Hi, I'm a not homophobic Christian and I expected that going into Memories Pizza would be a familiar experience: men making love to men on tables, people of all gender identities being weird the corner, feminists banding together to destroy capitalism, and maybe some pizza. Absolutely horrifying.

Thankfully, the state of Indiana has us covered. There was none of that this time! See, not homophobic Christians like myself and the owners of this fine establishment can turn people away based on "sincerely held religious beliefs."

And this:

Please DO NOT use your gay powers to call in fake deliveries.

I'm going to spend all day at work attempting to order pizza with my gay powers!!

[Corey_Baker08]

47. Damn They Took The Page Down B4 I Could See It...

[Surya Gayatri]

51. Bwaaahaaaaaaaaa! Oh, dying here reading the 'reviews'...

One of the best pics from among the remarks.
Tried to add my 2 cents, but you have to sign up.

[Surya Gayatri]

61. And another from the same page of reviews...

Miss Betty Bowers, bwaahaaaaa!

Bingo!

[valerief]

52. +1

[Scalded Nun]

8. And so it starts

The only way to 'fix' this law is to kill it (and all others like it).

[stillwaiting]

9. And so it begins! Won't be the last, and I hope the businesses suffer and fail.

If a business won't celebrate or recognize the MOST important and personal aspect of LGBT lives (for many it is very spiritual), they are crazy to think that they will be patronized and supported by our community or by our friends and family.

They just don't get how hurtful and harmful this is to so many (not just LGBT individuals). I hope they now find out.

[marym625]

10. Oy vey!

It's absolutely mind boggling that anyone still believes it's a choice.

[valerief]

53. If they can believe in a punishing, testing invisible man in the sky, they can believe

ANYTHING. And the GOP DEPENDS on that.

[mainer]

13. Wow. They won't cater to "non-Christian" weddings, either

"Despite not believing that the bill would lead to targeted discrimination against members of the LGBT community, O’Connor told the station that her establishment would use the bill to avoid having to cater events like gay or non-Christian weddings."

http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2015/04/backlash-is-swift-and-furious-after-indiana-pizza-restaurant-owner-brags-about-no-gays-policy/

So they also discriminate against Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Jews, Wiccans and atheists.

[TheCowsCameHome]

15. This could become their Last Supper.

What a bunch of idiots..............

[hughee99]

44. No, the people at the last supper were Jewish, so they wouldn't cater that. n/t

[d_r]

28. they cant

Discriminate based on religious views. That is the test someone needs to run. A non christian needs to try to buy for non christian wedding. Federal law does not protect for orientation but does protect for religious beliefs.

[bullwinkle428]

30. So I can't get a pizza with "Mazel Tov" spelled out in pepperoni?

Fuck 'em, then!

[christx30]

82. Pepperoni has pork in it.

So you probably wouldn't want it on a pizza for Jewish people. Maybe green peppers? Or mushrooms? I'd do pineapple myself. But it's not for everyone.

[csziggy]

89. There is all beef pepperoni - I found some for a dish I was making for a group

That included some Jewish friends. It was even kosher! I also found turkey ham for another variation.

Then, being essentially ignorant of kosher rules I used the pepperoni and turkey ham I had carefully obtained with cheese.

[randr]

17. The law shoud required such establishments

to put up a "We only serve bigots" sign.

[rurallib]

18. Another quote in the story is so ludicrous

“I do not think it's targeting gays. I don't think it's discrimination,” says O'Connor. “It's supposed to help people that have a religious belief.”

Not discrimination after they just stated they would discriminate? Who do they think they are fooling, besides themselves?

[groundloop]

19. Gee, I wonder how many people will phone in orders and forget to pick them up ????

Not that I'd do anything like that.

[sinkingfeeling]

20. I'm sorry, but I heard part of the interview with Crystal this morning and

I had a hard time even understanding that she was speaking English. Not because of an accent, but because of the way she paused and composed sentences. I'm as sure as I'm sitting here that she is one of the 'true' believers who cannot function in society without somebody telling her what is right and wrong. I'd bet money that her church has repeatedly told her that homosexuality is a 'choice'. And that it's the worst sin in the Bible.

[AllyCat]

27. Her writing isn't clear either. One of her FB posts is a real challenge to get through

[Fuddnik]

21. Asshole is losing potential customers over a non-existent event.

A pizza and keg wedding reception is par for the course in in Florida trailer park wedding, but, I've attended gay receptions, and pizza was the last thing you would expect.

I wonder if he would cater shellfish to a wedding? An abomination.

[JustAnotherGen]

56. So true

I've been to been to several in NY and NJ the past few years - including serving as a woman of honor for my best friend from high schools wedding -

They don't get it. The ones I've been to? Folks have been together 17, 8, 13 years before they were allowed to get married. And because they waited -

They got to go big!

[eilen]

22. For all of that you know --

Indiana Pizza = No resemblance to actual real pizza.

[Dont call me Shirley]

23. The bigoted owners will be having Memories of their out of business pizza shop.

Here are some reviews:

http://www.yelp.com/biz/memories-pizza-walkerton

[underpants]

38. They aren't open for lunch?

Hours today 4pm - 10pm

I worked at a non-chain pizza place. Lunch is fast turn around cha-Ching time.

[Dont call me Shirley]

49. Guess they just want the hoity-toity dinner crowd. No lunch is a serious business mistake

especially at a pizza place. Not smart business people from many angles, obviously.

[MADem]

80. The "customer photos" run the gamut!!!

http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/memories-pizza-walkerton?select=-rCvBWYPQAliQtosZfALwQ#-rCvBWYPQAliQtosZfALwQ

[Dont call me Shirley]

81. Thank you! That was priceless!

[SpankMe]

24. Conservative "logic" on display.

Quotes from the owner:

First-

“If a gay couple came in and wanted us to provide pizzas for their wedding, we would have to say no,”

Followed by -

“I do not think it's targeting gays. I don't think it's discrimination,”

It's like masturbating in public while at the same time saying "I am not masturbating in public."

Where these people even find the brain activity to breathe is a mystery to me.

[workinclasszero]

25. Jim Crow law 2015

It will be a matter of a few days I bet till some fanatic American Taliban bans blacks, Jews and Mexicans from his greasy spoon because....religion.


First they came for the gays...

[AllyCat]

26. Their FB page is running over with choice comments.

Check it out!

[HockeyMom]

29. They want ornament with 2 grooms on top the Pizza????

[Lucky Luciano]

33. Swamp them with fake delivery and to go orders. nt

[Maeve]

34. Well, they got attention

And maybe some business from RW fools who want to support them for their bigotry. They just lost all their gay patrons and many others who don't want a side of intolerance with their meal...

[frazzled]

35. Because everyone serves pizza at their wedding

Even in Walkertown, Indiana (I grew up in Indiana, and even I have never heard of it), no self-respecting gay person would (I think) order pizza for their wedding.

Gee-zus, Hoosiers: wake up.

[underpants]

36. Memories... light the corners of my mind...misty water colored memories...

of the way we were

Scattered pictures of the smiles we left behind
Smiles we gave to one another for the way we were.

Can it be that it was all so simple then
Or has time rewritten every line
If we had the chance to do it all again, tell me, would we, could we

Memories may be beautiful and yet
What's too painful to remember we simply choose to forget
So it's the laughter we will remember
Whenever we remember the way we were.

The way we were.

[LannyDeVaney]

37. Is wedding pizza a thing in Indiana?

I thought (wait, I KNOW) we are backwards in Alabama, but even we don't have pizza at a wedding.

[PoliticAverse]

39. I want to be invited to a wedding where pizza is served... n/t

[skypilot]

40. This business had only TWO reviews on Yelp...

...before the backlash today. These idiots are willing to risk losing countless ACTUAL customers in order to defend their right to discriminate against some theoretical/nonexistent gay couples whom they think would be tacky enough to serve pizza at their wedding.

[TlalocW]

41. I don't think they realize it, but I think they've set up an experiment

I sometimes think that the way to go in these cases is yes, to allow laws like this, but instead of just good businesses putting up, "We Serve Everyone," signs or stickers, if you want to be able to discriminate, you have to apply for a sticker that you put in your window that says you reserve the right to discriminate. If no sticker in your window, you're legally obligated to serve everyone until you do get that sticker. Once everyone knows who is on which side of the issue, the "good Christian" businesses can see if they'll be able to survive doing business amongst themselves and the shrinking minority of people who think like they do. Yes, they'll lose business, and many places will shut down, but they're not just talking the talk but walking the walk when it comes to showing they're on God's side so they can take solace in that.

This guy essentially just went and did this, and he essentially picked this fight for no good reason. Now if he had been a baker or a florist or some business more closely associated with weddings, it might have made more sense, but as so many have pointed out, you don't normally serve pizza at a wedding reception. I work on the peripherals of this industry, and I'm comfortable in saying, I bet he's done at most two or three receptions since the business opened. But now that he's come down on the, "No gay weddings," we'll see how that affects his day-to-day business.

TlalocW

[world wide wally]

42. They prefer religious frat parties

[LannyDeVaney]

43. I just read the entire Bible ...

and it turns out Jesus never served pizza to gay folks. Checkmate!

[central scrutinizer]

50. wrong!

It's just your translation. Loaves could be translated as pizza dough and fishes are clearly anchovies.

[mainer]

67. Jesus never even mentioned gay folks

He's completely silent on the issue. These folks are going all Old Testament on their patrons.

[Jester Messiah]

45. Well, thank you for self-identifying, bigots.

May your faith be of comfort to you as people of good conscience avoid you like the plague.

[Liberalagogo]

48. Way to destroy your business, assholes.

https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=memories+pizza+walkerton+in&lrd=0x8811441e3929800b:0x636268b94a1f4f81,1

http://www.yelp.com/biz/memories-pizza-walkerton

https://www.facebook.com/MemoriesPizza

[Kablooie]

55. Are pizza weddings a thing in Indiana?

ill bet he said that because he doesn't expect to get any pizza weddings so he thinks he won't have to do anything about it.

[RedstDem]

57. wonder where they stand on the rehearsal dinner?

Cmon, pizza at a wedding?

[IcyPeas]

59. what next? Can a man marry a pizza?

[URL=.html][IMG][/IMG][/URL]

[Warren Stupidity]

70. It is a slippery slice.

First it is a gay pizza wedding and then BAM! we all get pepperonied.

[christx30]

64. Maybe the Terminal Barber Shop

should move to Indiana. I'd like to see if the religious righties there will respond favorably to the Muslim hairdresser that refused to cut a woman's hair because she was unrelated to him.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/121854946

[Jean Genie]

66. Wedding pizza?

Darlings, how many gay brides and/or grooms would stoop so low as to serve pizza to their wedding guests? So tacky. And why on earth would any self-respecting person, gay or otherwise, want to eat in your pizza shop knowing your discriminatory point of view? Sounds like a recipe for mega-indigestion if you ask me!

[Delphinus]

73. Welcome to DU!

Glad to have you with us.

[winstars]

74. Visiting their YELP comment page might be fun...

[blkmusclmachine]

75. Haters gonna hate. Bet they hope for a Chick Fil A type endorsement from the local mega Churches.

All my opinion.

[HassleCat]

76. Hypothetical?

If some gay friends are getting married, and I order the pizza in my name, am I violating the religious civil rights of the business owners? What if the happy couple gives me money to pay for the pizza? Is that like an adult buying beer for a teenager?

[Hoyt]

77. There is only one reason to announce that publically -- to attract haters to their establishment.

Hope it doesn't work.

[Arkana]

79. Did anyone ask Mr. O'Connor when he made the conscious choice

to be heterosexual?

[Paper Roses]

84. When these people chose the name of their shop, the die was cast.

They will soon be a bad memory.

[hamsterjill]

87. The power of consumerism.

I find it fascinating that the Republicans who believe it is okay to discriminate against a whole segment of society, also believe vehemently in capitalism.

Okay, so let capitalism work like it did for this bakery:

http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/02/27/anti-gay-marriage-bakery-gone/24133651/

Sure, sure, they closed it because the woman/wife wanted to spend more time with the kids, and the dad is now selling recreational vehicles...

[jmowreader]

88. So let me get this straight

I'm Adam and I'm getting married next Saturday, so I send my fiancee Steve over to Memories Pizza to order 25 pizzas that we're going to serve at a business conference with 175 attendees. Are they going to take Steve into the back room and go all Abu Ghraib on his ass until he breaks down and admits it's really a wedding?

[Skittles]

90. so let me get this gay

I think your assessment is spot on!

[roamer65]

91. I would like that Kevin asshole to explain...

exactly how he "chose" to be heterosexual. You don't choose, you are born with it.

[raven mad]

92. "A lifestyle you choose"............

kinda like I chose to be born female..........