A pizza shop in Chattanooga, Tennessee, is facing criticism after publicly stating it would not provide catering services for same-sex weddings. Pizzeria Cortile explained that the decision was based on “personal conviction” but has since sparked heated reactions online.
The wood-fired pizza restaurant posted a statement on Facebook Tuesday, confirming its policy after it was highlighted by a progressive media outlet the day before.
“Recently, we made the difficult decision not to cater a wedding due to our personal beliefs,” the statement said. “These beliefs come from a place of personal conviction, which we know is not shared by everyone. We hold them without judgment toward others. Our intention was never to harm anyone, and we apologize for any pain this decision has caused.”
The post went on to express hope for understanding, stating, “We recognize the feedback from everyone who has reached out today. We hope with time we can find an opportunity to extend grace, listen to one another, and remember that even when we disagree, we can still treat each other with dignity and love.”
Pizzeria Cortile thanked its community and invited people to continue visiting the restaurant.
The statement also restricted comments on the post, but the restaurant’s Facebook page was flooded with negative responses on other posts. One of the earlier posts, which featured photos of a dish, garnered over 1,500 comments, most of which were critical of the pizza shop’s policy.
One Facebook user wrote, “There aren’t two reasonable sides here. Nobody asked you to be gay or promote any kind of message. They asked for pizza. And bigots refused. That’s the whole story. It isn’t any deeper. It is black and white discrimination.”
Another commenter sarcastically asked, “Are you going to start asking your patrons their sexual orientation upon entering the vicinity? Being bisexual, am I welcome?”
Some online users even suggested that the IRS should audit the business, while others labeled the owners as “bigots” and expressed hopes that the controversy would harm the business.
A few defenders of the pizzeria pointed out that the issue had been addressed by the U.S. Supreme Court. One comment read, “The Supreme Court has ruled on this, and it is in fact not discrimination. You are free to make your own choices, but so are they. Who are you to force someone else to share your beliefs but then expect them not to do the same?”
The backlash appeared to be fueled by social media posts from Reddit and The Chattanooga Holler, which first brought the restaurant’s policy to light on Monday.
The Chattanooga Holler posted a screenshot of the pizzeria’s response, writing, “Evidently, Pizzeria Cortile will not cater to same-sex weddings. Just letting folks not waste their time (or money).”
One commenter on the Facebook post mocked, “All I’m hearing is ‘We’re allowed to be homophobic bc God.'” Another criticized the restaurant’s stance, saying, “Calling bigotry a ‘personal conviction’ is a heck of a twist.”
A post on Chattanooga’s Reddit about the controversy also received over 900 comments, with most users criticizing the business.
Pizzeria Cortile has not responded to requests for further comment.
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