Owners of Gay Hotel Face Boycott After Meeting With Ted Cruz

HELL'S KITCHEN — The owners of gay hotel and wedding spot The OUT sparked outrage and a boycott after meeting with Republican presidential hopeful Senator Ted Cruz Monday.

Co-owners Ian Reisner and Mati Weiderpass, who also own a large stake in gay beach resort the Fire Island Pines, faced mounting criticism both online and from hotel clients after the meeting.

AIDS charity Broadway Cares canceled a May 10 event set to be held at the hotel's club, 42 West, because of the meeting, they said in a release.

"We cannot in good conscience hold an event at a venue whose owners have alienated our community," they said in a statement.

A Facebook campaign boycotting the pair's properties had garnered over 4,500 supporters by Friday, and called the meeting with Cruz "a devastating blow to the community."

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