Photographer mocked by customer for support of gay marriage, donates their deposit to GLAAD on their behalf
'Wow, I would say this disappoints me, but I actually find this to be a good thing because our company now would now not like to work with you as well.'
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Your support makes all the difference.Photographer Clinton Brentwood Lee was only too happy to lose the business of a couple who were irked by his show of support for marriage equality in the US, penning them a lengthy and crushing rebuttal and donating their retainer to an LGBT organisation.
Following suit with many others, Clinton gave his profile picture a rainbow colour hue on Saturday to celebrate the good news, also posting a photo of gay and heterosexual couples kissing with the caption 'All we see is love'.
One couple whose wedding he was scheduled to shoot were furious, saying they supported only "traditional marriage" and demanding their money back. Clinton didn't hold back:
CLIENTS:
'Greetings Brentwood. We would just like to inform you we will NOT be using your services for out [sic] wedding. My fiancé and I support traditional marriage between a man and a woman and don’t want our money going to places that supports [sic] otherwise. Secondly I would like to inquire about how we can get our retainer back from you. Thanks.'
PHOTOGRAPHER:
'Wow, I’m not really sure what to say here. I would say this disappoints me, but I actually find this to be a good thing because our company now would now not like to work with you as well.
It’s not that because you have a different view from us, but it’s because, since you don’t like an support gay marriage, no one else should be able to have it. That’s like me not liking broccoli, and demanding that everyone else in the world should not have broccoli either! If you’re not in favor of gay marriage that’s fine, don’t marry a woman.
Personally, I was taught not to judge others and to love everyone else. So I will try not to judge you here and say anything more as to my opinion of you.
At Brentwood Photography we see love in all forms. Now as far as your retainer goes, I hope you’ll read the first article in the contract you signed stating that this retainer is nonrefundable.
But don’t you worry, I’m not going to keep it!
Because of this conversation, I have decided to donate your $1500 to GLAD [sic] [the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation], a group created to help and support gay rights.
So let me be the first to say [redacted], thank you very much for your donation and support for this great cause!
I couldn’t have done it without your money.
Sincerely and with Love,
Brentwood Photography'
The post quickly went viral, with Clinton telling BuzzFeed that he had received numerous messages of support. As for those who continued to criticise him and say they're glad they didn't choose him for their wedding, he replied simply: "Me too!"
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