Kevin O'Connor (Photo : Facebook)
Memories Pizza located in Indiana caused controversy weeks ago after the owners refused to cater to a same-sex wedding and now, the restaurant already re-opened.
Donations came pouring for the owners of the pizza parlor via an online fundraising campaign and one notable person who donated identified herself as Courtney Hoffman, a California resident and is also gay. According to the Huffington Post, Hoffman donated US$20 as she hopes her donation would be seen as an apology by the owners in behalf of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual (LGBT) community.
Hoffman noted that the LGBT community showed hate and intolerance directed to the said pizza parlor and that she believes that the owners should have the right to stand up for their religious beliefs.
In a statement issued by Hoffman to the publication, she shared that she and her girlfriend also operates a small stand and noted that people should remember that differences are not automatically linked to maliciousness. She added in her statement that people could work out the things they don't agree on without having to use threatening and violence.
Because of the move of Hoffman, other same-sex couples also donated money to the owners of the said restaurant. The donations already amounted to over US$800,000.
The refusal of the owners of Memories Pizza to cater to same-sex wedding came at the time when the controversial Religious Freedom Restoration Act was a hot topic.
According to Daily Mail, the owner of the shop, Kevin O'Connor, will be using the money they have received to help other people such as women's help groups, disabled children, police trusts, Christian churches and fire fighters.
Despite the death threats that the O'Connors received, police officials assured them that they are safe and that their restaurant welcomes gays and anybody else who want to dine in their shop.
