The opening of a politically-themed bar in Washington, DC., sparked group backlash that pressured the homeowners to take away a Republican image from the constructing’s façade.
The homeowners of Political Pattie’s — Andrew Benbow and Sydney Bradford — painted over the GOP image shortly earlier than its grand opening on Tuesday after on-line critics attacked the brand new bar for that includes the purple elephant, together with a blue Democratic donkey, on the entrance of its constructing.
“What has been occurring on-line to Pattie’s instantly resembles what occurs in society every day,” the homeowners, who’re on reverse sides of the political aisle, stated in a assertion on social media.
“Our enterprise was judged by its outdoors look earlier than anybody ever took the possibility to be taught what we have been about on the within. All too typically racial minorities, members of the disabled and LGBTQ communities, and others are victims of those types of prejudgments, which might result in tragic outcomes.”
The native backlash questioned how the brand new bar — that places the “Lit in Politics” — might function in an space surrounded by homosexual bars, The Washingtonian reported.
The donkey image was additionally faraway from the constructing, in addition to the phrase “Political,” however the homeowners stated they plan to switch the phrase in massive blue font.
The pair acknowledged the GOP image was “hurtful” to the group however nonetheless clapped again at critics, calling the net vitriol “mean-spirited.”
“We view the net backlash that we’ve just lately obtained to be imply spirited, particularly contemplating our authentic and continued intent to be an area that’s welcoming to ALL individuals, together with members of the LGBTQ group,” the homeowners stated.
“We don’t tolerate homophobia, transphobia, racism or one other type of bigotry. As Black Individuals, the rest could be antithetical to our very existence.”
They added their institution was meant to be a enjoyable and inclusive setting that “pokes enjoyable at politics, not the ache politics can typically trigger.”
