A BBQ food truck is making national news this week, and it’s all because of T-shirts. According to CNN, a food truck in Kentucky is selling shirts that say, “I support LGBTQ.” On the surface, that seems like a positive message, but the text below that shifts focus.
The entire shirt reads, “I support LGBTQ – Liberty, Guns, Bible, Trump, BBQ.” The design has sparked considerable outrage (and not just because BBQ actually starts with a “B” and not a “Q”). Jamie Smith, the owner of Belle’s Smokin’ BBQ, posted the shirts on social media, where they caused quite a stir.
Belle’s Smokin’ BBQ is a food truck based in Williamstown, Kentucky, a town that also has a homophobic creationist theme park called the Ark Encounter. https://t.co/xMGUINGIXW
— MUNCHIES (@munchies) April 23, 2019
“But here’s the bottom line, it’s not just a simple acronym,” Facebook user Chad Reynolds wrote on social media. “[LGBTQ people] are already waking up every day with a mountain to climb in terms of acceptance. The last thing we need is a food truck mocking us.”
On the other hand, there are supporters of the tees as well.
“I’ll proudly wear one or any of their shirts,” Connie Thomas wrote on Facebook. “These are great people and awesome food. People really should get over being so sensitive about everything.”
Smith removed the post from social media, and issued the following statement:
“We apologize if we have offended any groups of people, organizations or individuals with our shirts. We respect all beliefs and lifestyles and want no ill will towards anyone.”
He also told CNN affiliate WXIX that he has sold the shirts for two years, and he has no plans to stop selling them. Not only that, but after he posted the shirts on social media, they sold out and now have a waiting list.
“If this has offended anyone that wasn’t our intention, it was just a good play on words,” Smith told WXIX.
