April 28, 2015 | Sex & Society

Apologies from gay hotel owners who love Ted Cruz

Two gay businessmen are having a very bad week after hosting a fundraiser-not-a-fundraiser for guest of honor Republican presidential hopeful Ted Cruz at their home in New York.

Ian Reisner and Mati Weiderpass are the owners of Parkview Developers, which has several commercial properties in NYC and the Fire Island Pines commercial district. The two met with Cruz for a chat about politics and foreign policy. The Times said the meeting was not a fundraiser, but Politico reported Cruz described the dinner during an appearance in Iowa this weekend as a pro-Israel fundraiser.

Either way, Reisner and Weiderpass seemed excited to share news about the meeting. Weiderpass even posted a picture of him and Cruz on his Facebook page.

As most gay people know, Ted Cruz is a homophobe; he is actively working to limit the rights of the LGBT community in everything from marriage recognition to employment protections. The backlash was swift. A Facebook page was created to support a boycott against any of the businesses Reisner and Weiderpass own.

Initially, the two were not at all remorseful.

Weiderpass posted the following on Facebook: "The fact that Senator Cruz accepted the invitation to my home was a step in the right direction towards him having a better understanding of who I am and what I believe in. We spent most of the time talking about national security issues and in particular the challenges from ISIS, Iran and the defense of Israel ... I did not shy away from the opportunity to ask the Senator about social issues, in particular marriage equality and made it clear that I completely disagree with him on that issue."

And then the two saw dollars slipping away.

"Broadway Bares Solo Strips," an HIV fundraiser, had been scheduled at the 42West nightclub, owned by the couple. Organizers cancelled the event. "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," a spokesman explained.

And on Saturday morning, the New York City Gay Men’s Chorus canceled its annual spring fundraiser, scheduled for later in the day at Out NYC (also owned by Reiser and Weiderpass). The chorus explained it “made the decision because we want to be 100% clear in our support for the LGBTQ community.”

Well, a PR expert must have stepped in, because the two have since changed their tune.

"I am shaken to my bones by the e-mails, texts, postings and phone calls of the past few days," wrote Reisner. "I made a terrible mistake. I was ignorant, naive and much too quick in accepting a request to co-host a dinner with Cruz at my home without taking the time to completely understand all of his positions on gay rights. I've spent the past 24 hours reviewing videos of Cruz' statements on gay marriage and I am shocked and angry. I sincerely apologize for hurting the gay community and so many of our friends, family, allies, customers and employees. I will try my best to make up for my poor judgement. Again, I am deeply sorry."

"I share in Ian's remorse," added Weiderpass. "I, too, lay humbled with what has happened in the last week. I made a terrible mistake. Unfortunately, I cannot undo this. You taught me a painful but important lesson."

Of course, both men knew exactly who they were inviting over for dinner. Savvy business people who claim to be active in both the gay community and the world of politics, how could they possibly not have been aware of Cruz' position on gay issues?

Unless they were completely blinded by Cruz' pro-Israel stance.  Which would prove you can be very rich and very stupid at the same time.