Hundreds Line Up at Midwest Eatery After Owner's LGBT Support Goes Viral

A Wisconsin restaurant has received a windfall of business thanks to a pro-LGBT social media post.

Hundreds of patrons lined up Tuesday at Gracie's Gyros and Wraps, an eatery in La Crosse, Wis., for its Spread Love and Good Food event.

The event was organized by local gay resident Michael Shaw, after he saw a Facebook post by the establishment's owner, Despina "Gracie" Kozidis, that supported the LGBT community.

Kosidz had defended same-sex marriage in response to a message from Tea Party activist Greg Luce.

Luce, spotting a post from Kosidz on a public Facebook page titled La Crosse Foodie, attacked her for her profile picture, which was filtered in rainbow hues in support of the recent Supreme Court decision on marriage equality.

"Hi Despina. I saw your post on La Crosse Foodie. I love gyros, but I detest people with rainbow filters on their picture. It's an abomination that we are being forced to condone deviant sexual behavior. I will NOT be visiting your restaurant, I'm sorry," he stated.

After consulting with her daughter Sofia on how to respond, Kozidis posted the following message to Luce:

"That's great! We prefer to have accepting, coexisting consumers. It seems we have come to an agreement that it is best for both parties that you do not visit my business. Thank you."

Sofia posted a screenshot of the exchange on the now-defunct La Crosse Foodie page, with Luce's name excised. The exchange went viral.

Gracie's Gyros and Wraps received a flood of support online, including from Shaw. He created a Facebook event to endorse the restaurant, and was surprised when more than 300 people said they would attend.

"My original thought was that a handful of my friends could come down, but 300 people are so much cooler," Shaw told the La Crosse Tribune, a local newspaper.

Sofia stated she was "overwhelmed, but in the best possible way" by Tuesday's turnout.

"We always knew that La Crosse was a great community. This just brought it to our attention again," she said.

The mother and daughter now hope to make Spread Love and Good Food an annual event.