Pizzeria Won’t Cater LGBT Unions, Receives Immense Support

Owners of a Tennessee pizzeria have received immense backlash for standing by their beliefs which lead them to refuse catering for a same-sex union.

Pizzeria Cortile posted a statement on Facebook which read, “Recently, we made the difficult decision not to cater a wedding due to our personal beliefs,” and that, “This belief comes from a place of personal conviction, one we know is not shared by everyone, and it is one we hold without judgment towards others.”

“This decision was not intended to harm or hurt anyone, and we are sorry for the pain this has caused for people who have been a part of our community.”

The statement continued, “We recognize and hear the feedback from everyone who has reached out today. We hope with time we can find an opportunity to extend grace and listen to one another, and remember that while we may not always agree, we can still treat each other with love and dignity.”

The Chattanooga Holler took to X, sharing a screenshot of a message they sent to Pizzeria Cortile on Instagram, asking if the pizzeria “refused to cater a same-sex wedding,” to which they responded with “thank you for reaching out for clarification, we do not cater same-sex weddings.”

The Chattanooga Holler used this screenshot as a means of informing others know “not to waste their time (or money).”

Whilst there’s been businesses in the community which have publicly dropped support and/or partnership with the pizzeria over their stances, the restaurant has also raised over $800,000 from Americans all across the U.S. who believe it is the right of business owners to stand by their convictions.

If the owners of Pizzeria Cortile were to be take to court, there is sound precedent which stands in their favor.

Over the years, the Supreme Court has time and again sided with business owners who refuse to provide services to same-sex couples due to their deeply held religious beliefs.

One example is of the Colorado Civil Rights Commission who violated the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and demonstrated hostility toward the religious beliefs of baker Jack Phillips by penalizing him for declining to bake a cake for a same-sex ceremony in 2012. Another example is of the 2023 case 303 Creative v. Elenis ruling, the justices determined that the state of Colorado could not force a Christian website designer to create websites celebrating same-sex union.

In conclusion, no one should be forced to go against their deeply held convictions, whether it be in taking vaccines or making wedding cakes, the U.S. Constitution is clear and religious freedoms are given to us by God, they are recognized by government, they should be exercised by the American people and they are here to stay.

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