#SorryNotSorry: Out Hotelier Who Hosted Ted Cruz No Longer Apologizes, Calls Gays “Extremists”

Mati Weiderpass, the co-owner of the Out NYC hotel and a New York City real estate development firm that caters to gay men, sees no obligation to respect the community upon which he has capitalized. In a new op-ed in the New York Observer, he slams gays as “extremists” for vocally opposing his hosting of Ted Cruz, a Tea Party Republican U.S. Senator, who in the same week that he dined at Weiderpass’s Central Park South apartment, filed two bills to put an end to same-sex marriage. Weiderpass is STILL surprised at the backlash over what he continues to insist was not a “fundraiser,” but rather,

“a discussion with Texas Senator Ted Cruz in my home.”

Weiderpass, and his partner at Parkview Developers, Ian Reisner, claimed “remorse” about hosting Cruz, going on an apology tour and calling it “a terrible mistake.” Guess they changed their minds.

“I have been inundated with hateful, biased social media messages, and attacks from gay extremists (do I dare say the word?) who demand inclusion, but do not believe in dialogue.

I know in my heart that these attacks do not represent the rich culture and diversity of the gay community. Boycotting me for a discussion? Since when have we grown so small and intolerant?”

Weiderpass infers that “Senator Cruz’ positions on LGBT issues are considered extreme in New York,” but maybe not really anywhere else. He apparently thinks that saying gay people are waging a “jihad” against America’s Christians is considered extreme only in New York and that the courts striking down same-sex marriage ban is “a real danger to our liberty” is considered extreme only in New York.

“In the U.S.if the rights to free speech, expression, and association are whittled away, the gay community along with most other minority communities will be vulnerable to losing all that has been gained. Shunning dialogue with political opponents is not the road to advancement.

I am not a politician – but I am someone who cares deeply about many issues. I have given significant charitable contributions to support many important gay issues, and will continue to do so. I do not understand, nor do I accept the voices who have organized against me because I spoke to a United States Senator.”

In reality, Weiderpass hosting Cruz gave the GOP presidential candidate an out, so to speak, allowing him to state the day after the story broke in the New York Times;

“I know it’s been a long time since we’ve seen it, but this is what it means to truly be a ‘big tent Republican’ instead of a panderer.”

But as I said before about this issue, Weiderpass, I believe is pandering to his investors (Sam Domb, who arranged the meeting) who are obviously Republicans themselves and the issue matter very little. He has his own agenda, which might include LGBT issues but what reigns supreme is the big bucks – and if you want ’em, I’ve got ’em so “let’s talk.” For the full rebuttal by Weiderpass, you can go here.