Gay Hotelier Hosts Meeting With Presidential Candidate On Political Matters, Unaware Ted Cruz Opposes Same-Sex Marriage

A NYC gay hotelier hosted a meeting with Senator Ted Cruz, who is a Republican presidential candidate opposed to gay marriage. Ian Reisner, who owns Out NYC, is facing harsh criticism for his actions and not considering what Cruz’s policy means to the LGBT community. Many want to boycott his hotel after learning he met with a Senator pushing for a bill that allows states with laws against gay marriage to stay implemented, Market Watch reports.

Reisner supports Israel and that was his focus during his talk with Cruz — allegedly not realizing the full extent of the presidential candidate’s stance on gay marriage. The gay hotelier is now apologizing for the meeting in a statement he posted on his Facebook page Sunday.

“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.”

In addition to the apology, Reisner wrote that he spent the last 24 hours reviewing videos of Ted Cruz’s position on gays. He said it made him “shocked and angry.”

In spite of the hotelier’s written apology, a large number of people commenting on his Facebook page don’t believe him, with one saying no one can be “that naive or stupid” to not know Cruz’s position on gay marriage. Others accuse Reisner of making up an apology because he’s afraid of being boycotted or losing money. Another one wrote, “It is your responsibility to carefully vet any politician before lending your support. I live in Texas and suffer continued hatred from Ted Cruz and his followers. You have made them stronger and more successful. At best, you are a fool.”

Market Watch writes that Cruz reportedly told Reisner that he felt gay marriage should be left up to the states, and he would love one of his daughters “unconditionally” if it turned out she was gay.

The meeting between the gay hotelier and Cruz was set up by a gay Republican consultant who advises the Senator on matters with the Middle East, according to the report.

Either way, Reisner isn’t exactly a popular figure with the LGBT community right now. If Reisner wasn’t aware of Cruz’s other political positions that affect him, the argument that he should’ve done his research well before inviting the Senator into his home is set firmly in the minds of those angry with the gay hotelier.

[Photo by Andrew Burton/Getty Images]