Social media post prompts local business owners to cut ties with Shop Local Raleigh
New in the last two hours a Raleigh nonprofit says
it is addressing a Facebook comment made by the executive
director of the organization
This is the comment
It starts with quote There is no such thing as
a transgender son
And it's causing a stir among some Raleigh small business
owners supported by the nonprofit shop local Raleigh
WREL's Carly Haynes is live in downtown Raleigh
Uh Carly this comment was initially anonymous
Until the group's administrators revealed who wrote it that there
are a lot of events that happened right here on
Fayetteville Street in downtown Raleigh and they're run most often
by the same organization
It's called Shop Local rally and now it's executive director
is getting attention not for the events here but for
a comment she made on social media
A post in a networking Facebook group
A mom seeking advice for her transgenderson
Under it an anonymous comment that reads There is no
such thing as a transgenderson
Blessing to you
But the sooner you help your son realize this the
more successful he maybe a she will be
Some group members called the comments unacceptable and unnecessary and
100% wrong
You will not be
Able to hide behind anonymous commenting or posts um that
we feel you are a danger to the community
As a group administrator Gigi Stevenson saw who wrote the
comment
Jennifer Martin the executive director of Shop Local Raleigh a
nonprofit that supports local businesses and runs events like Broogaloo
and the Raleigh Christmas parade
This is something that the community deserves to know
Um they're spending money with this um organization
A comment online that's reached brick and mortar
It was just very unnecessary and cruel
Be like Missy owner Erica Vogel said she's pulling back
her membership with shop local Raleigh
The fact that they're willing to take the money but
then not also represent that portion of our community uh
just rings a little icky to me
Some LGBTQ plus
Businesses are doing the same on social media
The night market company said after 7 years of support
it will no longer renew its membership with Shop Local
or participate in its events
We reached out to Jennifer Martin by phone and by
She didn't immediately respond but in an email to Vogel
Martin did not admit or deny she wrote the comment
and added she works hard to be welcoming and supportive
of all small businesses
And several of the board members of the greater Raleigh
Merchants Association did not offer a comment when we reach
out to them today though they did post a statement
online
It read in part the board is currently addressing the
matter
The comment made does not reflect those of the organization
shop local rally is dedicated to a culture of diversity
inclusion and respect
Carly WL news