A pizza restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has sparked controversy after announcing it would not cater a same-sex wedding due to its “personal beliefs.” Pizzeria Cortile shared its stance in a direct message on Instagram, which led to online backlash. The restaurant later issued a statement on its Facebook page, explaining that the decision was made from a place of personal conviction and was not intended to harm anyone.
“Recently, we made the difficult decision not to cater a wedding due to our personal beliefs,” the statement read. “This belief comes from a place of personal conviction, one we know is not shared by everyone, and it is one we hold without judgment toward others.” The restaurant emphasized that its decision was not meant to cause harm and expressed regret for any pain it may have caused within the community.
The pizzeria also urged that people can still treat each other “with dignity and love” even when disagreements arise, a sentiment aimed at calming the tensions caused by the decision. Despite the controversy, Pizzeria Cortile did not further elaborate when contacted by The Washington Examiner for comment.
This decision by Pizzeria Cortile follows similar incidents involving public officials who have cited religious beliefs in declining to participate in same-sex weddings. In Tennessee, Governor Bill Lee (R-TN) recently signed a bill into law that allows public officials to refuse to “solemnize” weddings, which has added to the broader conversation surrounding religious convictions and same-sex marriage.
Pizzeria Cortile’s stance comes after New York judge Felicia Pitts-Davis faced calls to resign earlier this year for refusing to officiate a same-sex wedding based on her religious beliefs. The most notable case in recent years was that of Kim Davis, a Kentucky clerk who was jailed in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples. Davis was later ordered to pay $260,000 in attorney fees, a ruling she is currently appealing.
