Gay New York hotelier Ian Resner issued an online apology April 26 for hosting a party for GOP candidate Ted Cruz, saying that he was "shaken to my bones" by the public response.
Establishments co-owned by Reisner have become the target of an online boycott after Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz spoke at a function that Reisner co-hosted. His numerous holdings include the Out Hotel NYC and a resort he recently acquired on Fire Island. In 2013, he attempted to open a hotel in Lake View but was met by steadfast opposition from local residents and neighborhood organizations.
Reisner said on Facebook that he had made a "terrible mistake," adding, "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 judgment. Again, I am deeply sorry."
Cruz, a fierce opponent of marriage equality, appeared at a fundraising party hosted on April 20 by Reisner and Mati Weiterpass, Reisner's former life partner and current co-owner of the Out Hotel NYC. The gathering was ostensibly to raise awareness of Middle East issues. Reisner initially told New York Times April 23 that Cruz said he'd love his daughters "just as much" if they said that they were gay, but that states should decide questions about gay marriage themselves.
Reisner defended the meeting again a day later.
"Senator Ted Cruz and I disagree strongly on the issue of gay marriage, but having an open dialogue with those who have differing political opinions is a part of what this country was founded on. My tireless support of the gay community and its causes worldwide hasn't changed and will not change," Reisner said in a Times follow-up April 24.
Reisner also said that he hosted a "Ready for Hillary" party at the Out Hotel in January. His name did not appear among those listed as hosts on the website for the event, which actually took place at 42West, an adjacent nightclub also owned by Reisner and Weiterpass.
A Facebook page has been launched to boycott Reisner-owned establishments, and a Broadway Bares fundraiser planned for 42West on May 10 has now been cancelled because of Reisner and Weiterpass' engagement with Cruz.
"The rich diversity of our community makes what we do together so special," said the Broadway Bares organizers on their website. "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."
Reisner's firm, Parkview Developers LLC, initially unveiled plans for a boutique hotel on Halsted Street in April, 2013, but neighborhood interests opposed the building, which would have linked to Sidetrack and subsumed Minibar. In September of that year, Ald. Tom Tunney said the plans were not in character with the neighborhood, and Reisner and his associates went back to rethink the project. No subsequent plans have ever been revealed.
