NYC Gay Hoteliers Hold Fund-Raiser For Another Anti-Gay Senator

Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson and hotelier Ian Reisner

The gay hoteliers who raised money for anti-gay Sen. Ted Cruz are at it again, only this time Ian Reisner held a NYC event for anti-gay Wisconsin Sen. Ron Johnson.

Via GayCityNews:

A host and guests at a fundraiser held by embattled real estate developers Ian Reisner and Mati Weiderpass at their Central Park South penthouse donated at least $10,600 to Republican Ron Johnson, a right-wing US senator from Wisconsin who faces a 2016 challenge from Democrat Russ Feingold.

Reisner, who is gay, gave Johnson $2,700, the maximum allowed under federal election law. Reisner, who has otherwise largely supported Democrats, gave $2,700 to Hillary Clinton on June 15.

The hosts and the guests were supporting Johnson because of the senator’s support for Israel and his views on the Middle East, according to the press release, which described those in attendance as “a bipartisan group of Jewish business leaders –– both committed Republicans and several traditionally aligned with Democrats.”

The Out NYC and Reisner’s properties in the Pines on Fire Island came under boycott after the New York Times reported that he held an April 20 fundraiser for Republican Ted Cruz, a Texas senator and candidate for the Republican nomination for president. (This reporter has supported the boycott and played a role in organizing it.) The community objected to Reisner and Weiderpass taking money from their LGBT customers and giving it to anti-LGBT right-wingers.

After it was revealed that Reisner donated the personal maximum of $2,700 to Cruz after the April meeting (after previously saying "no funds were raised" at the dinner meeting), Reisner requested and received a refund from the Cruz campaign.

The Human Rights Campaign gives Johnson a zero ranking out of a possible 100 in the 113th Congress and a 15 out of a possible 100 in the 112th Congress. Johnson opposes same-sex marriage and voted against the Employment Non-Discrimination Act which would bar workplace discrimination.

Russ Feingold, Johnson's opponent, who served 18 years in the U.S. Senate, had rankings from HRC in the high 80s/low 90s during his final six years in office.