News Summary
The Obvious Dad theatre company will launch the ‘OutWord: LGBTQ+ Play Reading Series’ in summer 2025, featuring readings from queer playwrights nationwide. This initiative seeks to amplify marginalized voices amidst ongoing local controversies surrounding inclusivity, notably following Pizzeria Cortile’s refusal to cater same-sex weddings. The series addresses the need for dialogue on LGBTQ+ rights and inclusivity within the building community, supported by the Chattanooga Queer Empowerment Collective.
Chattanooga – The Obvious Dad theatre company has announced the launch of the “OutWord: LGBTQ+ Play Reading Series,” which is set to debut in the summer of 2025. This series aims to present four readings of new plays by queer playwrights from around the country, including a contributor from Chattanooga. As part of a growing initiative to amplify queer narratives, the readings will be an intimate affair where actors read from scripts without the need for full sets or costumes. This format encourages direct engagement and feedback among writers, producers, and audience members.
The announcement of OutWord comes in the wake of a significant controversy surrounding Pizzeria Cortile, a local establishment that refused to cater same-sex weddings. This decision by the restaurant’s owners, Justin and Amanda Jo Bennett, has drawn considerable backlash from the community and LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, sparking conversations about inclusivity, personal beliefs, and the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals in the region.
Blake Harris, the Artistic Director of Obvious Dad, highlighted the series as a vital platform for queer voices, especially at a time when such narratives are increasingly muted in the Southern United States. The initiative is presented in partnership with the Chattanooga Queer Empowerment Collective, an organization dedicated to challenging societal norms and fostering connections through the power of queer stories.
The controversy surrounding Pizzeria Cortile ignited after an Instagram user revealed the restaurant’s refusal to book events for same-sex couples, citing the owners’ personal convictions. This revelation has prompted calls for a boycott from various community leaders, including the executive director of The Seed Theatre, who encouraged supporters to redirect their patronage towards local LGBTQ+ organizations. The restaurant later issued a statement expressing regret over the hurt their decision has caused while asserting it was based on their beliefs.
Online criticism of Pizzeria Cortile has surged, reflected in its dwindling ratings and reviews. Several local businesses, including Book & Cover, have distanced themselves from the pizzeria in response to the events. In addition, the Tennessee Human Rights Act does not provide protection against discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity, legally permitting Pizzeria Cortile’s actions under current state law.
The community response has been decidedly mixed, with many residents condemning the pizzeria’s stance as inconsistent with values promoting acceptance and inclusivity. This issue has brought to light the complex intersection of religious beliefs and LGBTQ+ rights, echoing previous instances where businesses denied service based on similar convictions. High-profile voices, including former Red Bank Mayor Hollie Berry, have echoed sentiments against the actions taken by the pizzeria.
Despite the backlash, Pizzeria Cortile continues to operate, navigating a fluctuating landscape of public opinion, as evidenced by a mix of one-star and five-star reviews that have emerged following the controversy. The restaurant remains at the center of an ongoing dialogue about the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals and the responsibilities of businesses in fostering an inclusive environment.
As the theatre series aims to provide a space for LGBTQ+ narratives and encourage community dialogue, the unfolding controversy at Pizzeria Cortile underscores the pressing need for discussions on inclusivity, rights, and personal beliefs within the Chattanooga community and beyond.
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Additional Resources
- Advocate: Pizzeria and Same-Sex Wedding Discrimination
- Local 3 News: Red Bank Pizzeria Faces Backlash
- Christian Post: Pizzeria Defends Not Catering Same-Sex Weddings
- Times Free Press: Chattanooga Drag Brunch Draws Protesters
- Livability: Southern Pride – A Guide to Chattanooga’s LGBTQ Scene
- Wikipedia: LGBT Rights in the United States
- Google Search: LGBTQ+ Rights Tennessee
- Google Scholar: LGBTQ+ Discrimination Pizzeria Cortile
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Discrimination
- Google News: Pizzeria Cortile LGBTQ
