(PM.) Metzger Bar and Butchery, a Richmond, Virginia restaurant that says it prides itself on being an “inclusive environment,” recently canceled a reservation just 90 minutes before it’s scheduled time for a Christian group that they say made their female and LGBTQ+ staff feel “uncomfortable and unsafe.”
Late last week, the restaurant posted an explanation to Instagram as to why they canceled the reservation.
Richmond, Virginia restaurant Metzger Bar and Butchery canceled a Christian ministry’s private party just 90 minutes before it was scheduled to start because LGBT staff members refused to provide service for the event. pic.twitter.com/qb8Jsi5DQ0
— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) December 5, 2022
“Metzger Bar and Butchery has always prided itself on being an inclusive environment for people to dine in,” the statement began.
“In eight years of service we have very rarely refused service to anyone who wished to dine with us. Recently we refused service to a group that had booked an event with us after the owners of Metzger found out it was a group of donors to a political organization that seeks to deprive women and LGBTQ+ persons of their basic human rights in Virginia.
“We have always refused service to anyone for making our staff uncomfortable or unsafe and this was the driving force behind our decision. Many of our staff are women and/or members of the LGBTQ+ community. All of our staff are people with rights who deserve dignity and a safe work environment.
The Christian group was revealed to be the Family Foundation, a non-profit, faith-based organization in Virginia that advocates for policies based on “Biblical principles that enable families to flourish at the state and local level.”
In a December 1 post written by President Victoria Cobb, she revealed that the cancellation came just an hour and a half before people were set to arrive.
“Have you ever been denied a meal because of your beliefs?” Cobb’s post began.
“Last night, our team and supporters got the firsthand experience when Metzger’s Bar and Butchery in Richmond, VA refused to service our pre-reserved event, leaving us scrambling just moments before.”
Cobbs wrote that the organization had been planning a gathering for weeks to take place in one of the restaurant’s private rooms.
“About an hour and a half before the event was set to take place, one of the restaurant’s owners called our team to cancel the event,” the post continued. “As our VP of Operations explained that guests were arriving at their restaurant shortly, she asked for an explanation. Sure enough, an employee looked up our organization, and their wait staff refused to serve us.”
A flyer for the event, which was set to take place on November 30, stated that the “Dessert Reception” was being held “to discuss the success and future plans of the Family Foundation.”
