A pizza restaurant in Chattanooga, Tennessee, has ignited a heated debate after announcing it would not cater a same-sex wedding due to its “personal beliefs.” Pizzeria Cortile shared its position in a private Instagram message, which later went public and sparked an immediate backlash on social media.
The controversy prompted the restaurant to release a public statement on its Facebook page, clarifying its reasoning. The statement read, “Recently, we made the difficult decision not to cater a wedding due to our personal beliefs. This belief comes from a place of personal conviction, one we know is not shared by everyone, and it is one we hold without judgment toward others.”
The restaurant emphasized that its decision was not an attack on any individual or group. “This was never about causing harm,” the statement continued. “We deeply regret any pain our decision may have caused and want to reaffirm that even when disagreements arise, people can still treat one another with dignity and love.”
While the owners hoped the explanation would quell the outrage, it did little to stop criticism online. Activists accused Pizzeria Cortile of discrimination, with some calling for boycotts. Others expressed their disappointment, noting that businesses serving the public should not deny services based on sexual orientation or marital choices.
The incident is the latest flashpoint in the ongoing cultural and legal battles surrounding religious convictions and LGBTQ+ rights. Tennessee has been at the center of these discussions in recent months. Earlier this year, Governor Bill Lee signed legislation allowing public officials to decline to solemnize marriages that conflict with their religious beliefs.
Critics of the law argue it creates loopholes for discrimination, while supporters say it protects individuals’ First Amendment rights. “Freedom of religion and conscience are foundational principles of our country,” said one Tennessee pastor who supported the bill. “No one should be compelled to act against their deeply held beliefs.”
The case has drawn comparisons to other high-profile instances where personal or religious beliefs clashed with LGBTQ+ rights. Earlier this year, New York Judge Felicia Pitts-Davis faced demands for her resignation after refusing to officiate a same-sex wedding. Perhaps the most infamous case was that of Kim Davis, a Kentucky county clerk who was jailed in 2015 for refusing to issue marriage licenses to same-sex couples.
Davis’s legal battle became a national spectacle, culminating in a court ruling ordering her to pay $260,000 in legal fees. That ruling remains under appeal, underscoring the ongoing tensions between religious liberty and civil rights.
Advocates for religious freedom argue that such decisions are not acts of discrimination but of conscience. “Christians, like any other group, should not be forced to violate their faith,” said Dr. Robert Jeffress, a prominent evangelical pastor. “We are called to love all people, but that does not mean we must participate in activities that go against our biblical values.”
This perspective resonates with many in the Christian community, who feel increasingly marginalized in a culture they view as hostile to their beliefs. Supporters of Pizzeria Cortile’s decision argue that the business should not be coerced into actions that conflict with its owners’ faith.
Critics, however, maintain that businesses open to the public have an obligation to serve all customers equally. “When you operate a business, you agree to abide by public accommodation laws,” said Sarah Fuller, an LGBTQ+ advocate. “Refusing service based on someone’s identity is discrimination, plain and simple.”
The broader issue touches on the balance between competing rights—freedom of religion versus freedom from discrimination. Legal experts note that the Supreme Court has weighed in on similar cases, often narrowly tailoring its rulings. For example, in 2018, the Court sided with a Colorado baker who refused to make a wedding cake for a same-sex couple but stopped short of setting a broader precedent.
As for Pizzeria Cortile, the backlash has sparked both condemnation and support. Online reviews for the restaurant have been inundated with polarized opinions, with some lauding the owners for standing firm in their convictions and others vowing never to eat there again.
The owners of Pizzeria Cortile have declined further comment, saying they hope to move past the controversy and focus on serving their local community. “We want our restaurant to be a place of warmth and hospitality,” their statement concluded.
For now, the incident underscores the ongoing cultural divide over issues of faith, identity, and the intersection of public and private values. While some see Pizzeria Cortile’s decision as a courageous stand for religious freedom, others view it as an unacceptable act of exclusion.
As the debate continues, one thing is clear: the clash between deeply held beliefs and evolving societal norms shows no signs of abating.
Darnell Thompkins 
Eric Thompson