Social media comment has some local business owners cutting ties with Shop Local Raleigh

A Facebook comment in an online networking group is causing a stir among some of Raleigh's small business owners. 

On Dec. 20, an anonymous commenter in a local networking group on Facebook responded to a post by a parent asking for advice regarding her transgender son. 

"There’s no such thing as a transgender son. Blessings to you, but the sooner you help your son realize this, the more successful he (maybe a she) will be," the anonymous comment read.

Gigi Stephenson is an administrator of the group. She said someone flagged the comment for review. As an administrator on the page, Stephenson said she could see that the anonymous comment was made by Jennifer Martin, the executive director of the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association. 

Martin has been with the GRMA, which does business as Shop Local Raleigh, since 2010. The organization presents many local events each year including Falling for Local at Dix Park, the Raleigh Food Truck Rodeo Series, the Raleigh Christmas Parade and the annual Brewgaloo craft beer festival

“We’ve had a pretty loud and open stance on you will not be able to hide behind anonymous commenting or posts that we feel are a danger to the community,” Stephenson told WRAL on Monday. “This is something that the community deserves to know. They're spending money with this organization.”

Martin’s post got the attention of other local business owners, including Be Like Missy’s Erica Vogel, who made a social media post of her own announcing her business would be stepping away from Shop Local Raleigh and Brewgaloo in light of the comment.

“Being that it was her, I felt really torn because I’ve been a big supporter of her and of Shop Local Raleigh for at least five years, and I’ve encouraged a ton of my small business-owning friends to join and be a part of the community, “ Vogel told WRAL. “I always looked at what she did as inclusive and promoting small business, but to see such an ugly and hateful comment happen, it made me feel really conflicted.”

Vogel said Martin emailed her following her post – not denying that she made the comment – but correcting her title which was incorrectly listed as the owner of Shop Local Raleigh and Brewgaloo.

"I am always open to conversation and work hard to be welcoming and supportive of all small businesses in our community. Because your post references businesses I do not own, I’m asking that it be removed. If not, we will need to have our attorney formally request its removal," Martin wrote in the email, which Vogel shared with WRAL. "I hope we can resolve this quickly and respectfully."

The comment prompted a Change.org petition calling for Martin to be held accountable.

“This should include a formal apology, mandatory sensitivity training, financial support for one of our local organizations who provide direct aid to trans youth and any other corrective actions deemed appropriate by SLR. Every person, regardless of their gender identity should feel seen and supported by the communities they belong to,” the petition reads. It has gotten more than 1,300 signatures.

The Night Market Company also posted on Facebook that it would not be participating in Shop Local Raleigh events due to the comment.

Stephenson said she would like to see “education come from this.”

She said she would like to see Martin "really take some time to think about this comment and how it affects the people in her community, the very community that has carried this nonprofit, and the people who show up at these event."

WRAL has reached out to Martin but has not heard back. Several GRMA board members told WRAL they had no comment. 

Shop Local Raleigh posted on the group's Facebook page on Monday afternoon:

"The Board of Directors of the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association (Shop Local Raleigh) is aware of concerns surrounding a recent, personal, social media comment made by our Executive Director. The Board is currently addressing the matter. The comment made does not reflect those of the organization. Shop Local Raleigh is dedicated to a culture of diversity, inclusion and respect."

On Friday, Shop Local Raleigh posted an apology letter from Martin on the group's Facebook page.

"I want to sincerely apologize for a comment that I made that caused real hurt and pain to some in our community. It was never my intention to cause pain or division, nor to bring harm to my employer or to those I love and have supported for many years. Still, I recognize that intent does not erase impact, and I take responsibility for the harm my words caused," Martin wrote. "My heart has always been for people and this community. And, for those who know me, I pray they know my heart. I humbly ask for forgiveness from anyone I have hurt, directly or indirectly. I've heard my actions have caused division among people and that breaks me. Speaking for me and me only, not my employer, I believe we are all called to love one another just as Christ has loved and forgiven us. My hope and my prayer are that we can move forward together with humility, compassion, forgiveness, and a renewed commitment to care for one another. My desire is for healing, understanding, and love within our community. Thank you to those who offer the grace to grow. To Learn. To work to be better."