"For my entire adult life, I have been an ardent supporter and activist for gay rights and LGBT organizations worldwide. I was given the opportunity to have a candid conversation with Senator Ted Cruz on where he stood on issues including the state of Israel and national security, which are the only places where we share common ground. It was just three months ago that I hosted a 'Ready for Hillary' event for a record turnout of 900 people at The OUT Hotel. Senator Ted Cruz and I disagree strongly on the issue of gay marriage, but having an open dialogue with those who have differing political opinions is a part of what this country was founded on. My tireless support of the gay community and its causes worldwide hasn't changed and will not change."

-- Prominent gay New York City businessman Ian Reisner, attempting to explain why he and longtime business partner (and former romantic partner) Mati Weiderpass hosted a private reception in their penthouse apartment this week for Texas senator and rabid homophobic bigot Ted Cruz (who has recently introduced two anti-LGBT bills in the U.S. Senate).

Reisner's Facebook page is here, in case you'd like to let him know how you feel about gays who put their pocketbooks ahead of their basic human rights. For a list of businesses owned by Reisner and Weiderpass -- including The Out Hotel and XL Nightclub in NYC and a whole host of businesses on Fire Island Pines -- check out this newly-launched Facebook page. You'll want to boycott them all, as dollars spent there support the oppression of the LGBT community.