3-4-21 fdl city councilmember issues public apology on facebook

A Fond du Lac city council member and restaurant owner  has issued a public apology after a social media storm painted her business as being anti-LGBTQ.  Arletta Allen posted the message this week on her restaurant’s Facebook page.  “This is my sincerest apology to you all,” Allen said.  “Even those that are disgruntled and felt it necessary to go out and felt it necessary to social media blast or render their feelings, and all of you are entitled to those feelings, I’m not here to take any of that away from you,”  Allen said in her message.  The backlash on social media started February 28 when an individual who said they are bisexual was not hired at the restaurant because they were told they were “too energetic and flamboyant.”    Allen’s husband and business partner, Troy Allen, attacked the person on his own Facebook page with an obscene slur.  Arletta Allen says she apologizes for her husband’s post, and says her business does not have any personal vendetta against any person or any group at all.  “I’m here to tell you that I’m sorry,”  Allen said.   Social media comments were also made about concerns Allen raised about a Pride Month proclamation at a city council meeting in June, when she asked if the Ku Klux Klan would get similar consideration.   She previously apologized for making that statement, and did so again in her video message.  “At the time I didn’t understand the damage that had been done because of the statements that had been made because I was new to city council and really trying to feel my way,”  Allen said.  Allen’s restaurant, A Family Affair Soulfood Kitchen had been closed since February 28 for unrelated reasons, and re-opened this week.