Cracker Barrel Prohibits Anti-Gay Pastor From Hosting An Event There

Source: Jeff Greenberg / Getty

Cracker Barrel Will Not Allow Anti-Gay Tennessee Pastor To Hold An Event There

Cracker Barrel pleasantly surprised a lot of people this week over news that they would not allow a Tennessee pastor–who has previously stated that members of the LGBTQ community are “worthy of death”–to hold an event for his congregation, the All Scripture Baptist Church, at their Cleveland, Tennessee restaurant.

Once word got out about the “Small Town Soul Winning” event being hosted by pastor Grayson Fritts, who also serves as a detective with the Knox County Sheriff’s Office, the Tennessee Democratic Party wrote a letter to Cracker Barrel CEO Sandy Cochran, explaining how this event would be in direct conflict with the diversity and inclusion pledge that is clearly posted on their own website.

“Since you have taken over as CEO of Cracker Barrel, there has been a noticeable improvement in the culture,” the letter reads. “Hosting this type of event is in direct conflict with the culture you are working so hard to build as well as the inclusivity and diversity pledge stated on your website.”

Only a few hours later, Cracker Barrel responded to the letter with one of their own, informing the Tennessee Democratic Party that the All Scripture Baptist Church has been made aware that their event will not be permitted at any of their locations.

Cracker Barrel is constantly the butt of a million jokes about their past indiscretions regarding several cases of discriminations throughout their chain of restaurants, so many consumers were shocked by the news that they were trending for standing behind inclusion.