Restaurants in Long Beach, Mississippi, are showing support for the LGBTQ+ community by hosting drag shows after a local cafe announced a discount exclusively for straight couples.
The controversy started when Darwell and Nettie Mechelle Yeager, who own Darwell’s Happiness Cafe, posted a video on Facebook offering a meal discount to “the real kind of couple” — couples who “can produce a child.” In the video, Darwell explained, “If you’re a couple — husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend, guy and girl. Couple.” Nettie added, “We don’t do the trans or the lesbians or gays. I’m sorry. That’s down the street.”
Later, Nettie apologized on her personal Facebook page, saying, “I’m not perfect and I get my feelings hurt too. Not always right. But I’m human too. I’m truly sorry if you got offended or misunderstood something not meant to hurt anyone.” She deleted the post, and her profile picture now shows a sign that reads, “We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone.”
Darwell also defended the promotion, saying he was “tired of being bullied by the Left” and calling the discount “a special for a certain group of people for a certain time, like specials are meant to be.” He declared that his restaurant was now a “No Weirdos Zone.”
Once the video gained attention online, another local restaurant, Trax Bar and Grill, shared a recording of it. Owner Jessica Notter wrote, “The disgust I feel for statements made in this video is immeasurable; and, if you watch it and find yourself agreeing with this lowlife, then I suggest you not set foot into Trax Bar.”
In response, Trax Bar and Grill began hosting an event called “Unity in the Community,” which features performances by local drag queens. Local influencers Your Barefoot Neighbor and Mississippi Kween also launched the “Love the Coast Tour,” encouraging people to visit inclusive local restaurants and bars. Over 560 people have signed up to take part in the tour.
William Rester, who co-owns Dolce Bakeshop and Radish Restaurant with his wife, Brooke, also spoke out against the Yeagers’ comments. He told NOLA.com that their businesses saw more customers over the weekend, many of whom expressed support against the Yeagers’ views.
“I hate it for Long Beach to have to kind of go through this,” Rester said. “But at the same time, it’s really brought out a lot of good in people. And we’re seeing a lot of people coming into town to just kind of try the other businesses.” He added, “I wish that, as a business owner, we didn’t have to say that everybody was welcome. That it was just implied.”
