Landry Vineyards has been a popular attraction for locals since 1999, where it often hosts tastings, tours and concerts for the community. However, some locals have been boycotting it since 2022 due to homophobia. Should queer ULM students and Monroe locals be concerned?
After 2022, Landry Vineyards stopped hosting weddings. Locals say it was due to controversy where a same-sex couple was denied the venue. However, it is difficult to confirm who the couple was, or the exact statement Landry’s made as almost everything has been deleted. However, the owners have made their homophobia clear, and students need to reconsider giving their money to people who spread hate.
On July 3, 2022, a petition on change.org titled “Take Landry Vineyards wine off the shelves!” was created by user Sandra Johnson.
“Not only do they deny service to homosexual patrons; they also speak out against diversifying our community and celebrating our diversity,” Johnson said.
Updates of the petition included past quotes and Facebook posts by owners, Jeff and Libby Landry. On June 24, 2022, Landry made comments regarding the rainbow on his personal Facebook.
“The rainbow belongs to God and it is a sign of His promise,” Landry said. “That He will never flood the Earth in spite of the wicked sins of man, sins such as abortion and homosexuality. Jesus is King over heaven and earth.”
It was shocking for many people who enjoyed the winery to read the hate posted by the Landrys. Local Jean Arnold began to boycott the vineyard in 2022 after the controversy.
“People want to enjoy concerts in a welcoming atmosphere,” Arnold said. “A few years ago, I would go to the concerts with some of my friends, a few of whom were gay. Landry’s made a very public statement against gay people. They had no trouble taking their money when they went to the concerts. Such prejudice is un-Christian.”
There has not been any public statement since regarding the couple or petition, but with many students being allies and members of the LGBTQ+ community, we should not continue to support a business that preaches against our friends and family.
