Breaking: Gay Hoteliers Did Donate to Ted Cruz

The owners of a number of gay-friendly properties, including Out NYC, a hotel catering to LGBT clientele, have been confronted with their decision to hosted a lavish dinner with virulently anti-gay Republican presidential candidate Ted Cruz.

When the news broke that Ian Reisner and Mati Weiderpass hosted the event at one of their Central Park penthouses, there was a public outrage. Activist groups called for a boycott of their properties, and picketers marched in front of the Out NY, their boutique hotel in Hell's Kitchen.

Reisner and Weiderpass immediately issued an apology, with the former telling New York Magazine:

"There were no checks given, it wasn't like that."

However, it's now been revealed that Reisner wrote a check for $2,700--the maximum donation allowed--around the time of the now infamous meal. After the New York Times reported the story, Reisner issued the following statement:

"In the interest of transparency, I gave Senator Cruz a $2,700 check to show my support for his work on behalf of Israel. When I realized his donation could be misconstrued as supporting his anti-gay marriage agenda, I asked for the money back. Senator Cruz's office gave the money back, and I have no intention of giving any money to any politicians who aren't in support of LGBT issues."

Jon Reinish, a Democratic strategist who works with several gay rights causes, commented:

"It's not like they sat down with Jeb Bush. They sat down with a proud enemy of the gay community. Ted Cruz legislates on that, he runs on that. It's one of the foundations of his platform and it's not just opposition to gay marriage. He's against basic civil rights and he's been out there on that from the very beginning."

Weiderpass claims to have had no knowledge of his partner's donation, with the NYT reporting his surprise when asked about the controversy.

To read the full story, visit the New York Times.