A group that raises money to fight AIDS announced on Friday that it is canceling a strip show fundraiser it planned to hold at a New York City nightclub because the venue’s two owners, who are gay, recently held a fundraiser for Texas U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz.
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS had planned to hold its fundraiser, “Broadway Bares Solo Strips,” on May 10 at the NYC Club 42 West.
But those plans hit an activist roadblock when it was revealed the the club’s owners, Ian Reisner and Mati Weiderpass, hosted Cruz at a small fundraiser at their Central Park home on Monday. After the gathering was reported by The New York Times, some groups took to Facebook to organize a boycott of businesses owned by Reisner and Weiderpass.
The pair also own gay-themed Fire Island Pines and Out NYC Hotel.
The activists who created the Facebook page called Cruz “one of the most vociferous anti-gay politicians in contemporary U.S. history” and questioned why Reisner and Weiderpass would meet with him.
Broadway Cares was the first to act on calls for a boycott.
“It is with regret that we have decided to cancel this year’s edition of the Broadway Bares Solo Strips fundraiser, which was scheduled for May 10 at the NYC club 42West,” Broadway Cares executive director Tom Viola said in a statement released late Friday.
“We cannot in good conscience hold an event at a venue whose owners have alienated our community,” he added.
“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,” Viola continued. “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. Silence is not a neutral position. It is complicit.”
According to The Times, Weiderpass organized the Cruz fundraiser. The meeting did not focus on issues pertaining to gay rights, but centered more on foreign policy.
Cruz has said that he believes gay marriage should be decided at the state level. Both Weiderpass and Reisner told The Times that they disagree with Cruz’s stance on the issue.