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Several business owners in Mykanopy say they are targeted and discriminated against by town officials and some locals for showing support for the LGBTQ community.
One of the businesses closed due to safety concerns.
In a January 14 Facebook post, the owner of antique shop Restless Mommas announced the closure of Micanopy. No specific threats were mentioned, but hints that same-sex couple-owned stores are being driven out of town due to anti-LGBTQ views from some local residents.
One commenter posted on the page, “It was very scary there for a second.
“We are very sad about it…but we can’t risk our safety.”
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The concern stems from a rule enforcement letter sent to the store, telling owners to remove the pride flags on the side of the building that were first installed in June. Town officials say the flag violates local land development ordinances and prevents the “pennant flag” from being flown.
Melissa Bambrick, owner of Lost Ark Antiques, said the store had a rainbow flag that read, “Hate Has No Home Here.” She said her letter reached her in late November, shortly after her flag was raised.
“I laughed,” said Bambrick. “Since October, when we reopened the store, all the flags have been waved, so I sent them a stern email telling them not to send this letter asking for opening flags or welcome flags. The only difference is our It was a “no hate” flag. “
Locals Point at Mycanopy Commissioner
Bambrick and others point the blame to Mykanopy Commissioner Mike Roberts, who has made several anti-LGBTQ statements in the past to reflect his personal views. uses his political office to his advantage.
It doesn’t take long to find Roberts’ Facebook flooded with posts sharing his views on people in the LGBTQ community.
He praised Sickfilay’s stance on same-sex marriage, calling it “disgusting”. He also wrote, “Being gay is a sin. Sin will take you to the pit of hell.”
In May 2013, when the Boy Scouts of America ended its 100-year ban on members who are openly gay, he said it would be the “end” for the program.
“Scouting in America died May 23, 2013,” he wrote, the day Scouts voted on the issue.
When the Gainesville Sun emailed for comment on Restless Mom’s situation, Roberts unjustly said he could not comment on “anonymous social media posts,” and was aware of the shopkeeper’s Facebook posts. showed that
“I have always lived a life in which all races and ethnicities were respected and valued,” the mayoral candidate wrote in The Sun. It remains a welcoming community.”
But supporters of the LGBTQ community don’t see it that way.
“Anyone who displays anything that Mike doesn’t like, Mike goes after,” said Bambrick. I use the town for
Such animosity recently spilled over into a January 10 town council meeting, where locals defended the shopkeeper who was not present. Some also noted that locals carrying Trump flags were not quoted.
Micanopy resident Deborah Hart said, “I hug these women because they’re terrified. But they were discriminated against by the Commissioner sitting here right now… I’m It’s appalling,” said Micanopy resident Deborah Hart.
Roberts argued that women were not discriminated against and were “not bullied or teased.” At one point during the meeting, he said, “The people who are discriminated against the most are fat people.”
Trouble seemed to begin when he and his wife met with a woman who asked if she knew the owner of Restless Mama. I asked him to clarify what he meant by ‘lesbians’.
Commissioner Gianna Williams, who sounded surprised to learn about the chain of events, was disappointed to hear why the business owner had left town.
“I understand that identifying a person’s sexual orientation may be considered,” she said. We represent the town, so you may feel. “
The owner of Restless Mommas also announced on Facebook that she will soon be opening a new shop in Gainesville to patrons. They said they are in talks to take legal action and will be represented by attorney Holliday Hunt Russell.
Gershon Harrell is an educational reporter for The Gainesville Sun. He can be reached by phone at (352) 338-3166, email at Gharrell@gannett.com, or on his Twitter at @GershonReports.
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