A lesbian waitress in North Carolina recently received a tip from a group of religious customers, who gave her a Bible verse calling for her death. Alexandra Judd, 20, who is currently employed at Zada Janes in Charlotte, said the group of women she served last month left behind a hateful message instead of a tip. The verse left behind was Leviticus 20:13 and it not only infuriated Judd but also hurt her immensely:
“If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them,” reads the passage from the King James version of the Old Testament.
The women also left behind a second message at the bottom of the receipt, which read, “Praying for you.”
This incident comes only weeks after North Carolina passed the anti-LGBT House Bill 2 into law. This legislation prevents cities and counties from creating their own anti-discrimination regulations by imposing a statewide standard that completely negates a person’s gender identity and sexual orientation. The bill was passed by the Republican-led legislature after Charlotte approved of anti-discrimination measures that would have permitted transgender individuals to use washrooms matching their gender identities. Governor Pat McCrory signed the bill into law. Now, transgender individuals can use washrooms and changing facilities of their choice only if they first have the biological sex on their birth certificates changed.
Judd posted a picture of the receipt on her Facebook page, saying, “I don't care what anyone says, this is the most disrespectful thing you can do. Don't pray for me darling, I have everything I could possibly want and need in my life.”
Speaking to the media, Judd, who has participated in rallies condemning the passage of House Bill 2 in North Carolina, said the whole incident was infuriating and hurtful. She said she had never expected to witness such a petty, shallow gesture.
“I've had a guest leave me a pamphlet to their church as a tip one time, but I didn't feel as if they were being hateful towards me. But, these ladies that came in were very rude, and would hardly talk to me. I’ve heard of people leaving fake money or writing funny stuff in the tip spot of a check, but never believed it would happen to me, in the way that it did,” she said.
North Carolina is not the only state in America to have passed legislation discriminating against members of the LGBT population. Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam recently passed the so-called religious freedom bill that allows therapists and counselors in the state to deny medical services to patients based on the provider’s personal religious principles. Mississippi Governor Phil Bryant too signed into law a bill that permits businesses to refuse services to gay and lesbian couples based on the business owner’s religious objections.
So far, Georgia has been the only state to oppose an anti-LGBT law that would have allowed faith-based organizations in the state to refuse jobs and services to America’s queer population. Governor Nathan Deal said he did not think that the bill was necessary.
“I do not think we have to discriminate against anyone to protect the faith-based community in Georgia, of which I and my family have been a part of for all of our lives,” he said.
Photo Credits: Out in Perth
