Memories Pizza, the Indiana restaurant that temporarily closed on Wednesday due to backlash resulting from its public refusal to cater same-sex weddings, has had a major reversal of fortune.
Over 9,300 people have banded together to “relieve the financial loss endured by the proprietors’ stand for faith” and raised a total of $262,005 in less than a day through crowdfunding site GoFundMe.
Memories Pizza, “a proud Christian establishment,” took the national spotlight on Wednesday after owner Crystal O’Connor told a local ABC affiliate “we would have to say no” to a gay couple if they asked to buy a large number of pizzas for their wedding.
The business, however, said if a gay couple stepped into the restaurant, they wouldn’t be denied service — although, it’s likely gay patrons will avoid making memories at Memories all together.
The restaurant’s Yelp page has been flooded with comments criticizing owners for their belief that they have a right to discriminate against gay marrying couples. The vigorous social media backlash, paired with “threatening” phone calls, forced Memories Pizza to go “temporarily” dark.
It appears the pizzeria won’t have to re-open any time soon, since it received an additional $12,000 in the time it took to write this post.
The controversy surrounding the restaurant stems from Indiana’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act, which O’Connor said, “We definitely agree with” because she doesn’t think the bill targets gays or discriminates, but instead protects businesses like hers who have a religious belief.
