Gay Hotelier Apologizes for Hosting Cruz Event

Ian Reisner, left, and Mati Weiderpass, co-owners of The Out NYC hotel, cut the ribbon for New York's new gay resort hotel, Thursday, March 1, 2012. The straight-friendly urban resort is located on 42nd Street, a few... Ian Reisner, left, and Mati Weiderpass, co-owners of The Out NYC hotel, cut the ribbon for New York's new gay resort hotel, Thursday, March 1, 2012. The straight-friendly urban resort is located on 42nd Street, a few blocks from Times Square. (AP Photo/Richard Drew) MORE LESS
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One of two prominent gay hoteliers who hosted an event for Ted Cruz on a recent fundraising swing through Manhattan has publicly apologized for hosting the event.

Ian Reisner and his business partner Mati Weiderpass, who were once a couple, hosted the event which spawned controversy both among Sen. Cruz’s conservative supporters and within the gay community. But the backlash within the gay community has been particularly intense. Cruz has sought to maintain a virulent opposition to gay marriage while soft-pedaling that opposition to potential gay donors.

On Friday, the charity Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS canceled an annual event scheduled to be hosted at a venue owned by Reisner and Weiderpass. And a Facebook-based boycott effort has gained grown quickly since it was announced late last week.

Reisner’s apology was posted early Sunday evening on his own Facebook page …

I am shaken to my bones by the e-mails, texts, postings and phone calls of the past few days. 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. 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 judgement. Again, I am deeply sorry.

Reisner’s apology was first reported by Maggie Haberman of The New York Times.

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