Penance in the Pines: Reisner Makes Sizable Donation to Apologize for Ted Cruz Event

An action that was viewed as an affront turned into a windfall this week when Ian Reisner, the gay Manhattan hotelier who recently co-hosted an event for Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) at his Manhattan penthouse apartment, made a sizable donation to Fire Island Pines Property Owners Association Political Action Committee (FIPPOA PAC).

FIPPOA PAC is $20,000 richer this week. The move was retribution from Reisner for the Cruz event and subsequent publicized gaffes that insulted the community. Reisner is half of the partnership that owns the majority of commercial real estate in Fire Island Pines.

But for some community members Reisner's donation is too little too late.

"Now let me state unequivocally that I made mistakes," Reisner said in a letter read at the FIPPOA spring meeting Saturday. "While my initial intention was bi-partisan dialogue about National & Israeli security, I've come to learn that intentions and outcomes are different things. The outcomes of my actions are that I've deeply hurt our community - and I am truly sorry."

Hopefully proving that big checks speak louder than words, Reisner has pledged to donate his profits from his Fire Island Pines properties to New York City's LGBT Community Center and The Jerusalem Open House. Additionally, he has earmarked money to benefit Equality Texas, which fights for the causes often opposed by Cruz.

According to FIPPOA president Jay Pagano, Reisner made a $20,000 donation to FIPPOA PAC, matching all monies raised for the PAC in the past active year. FIPPOA PAC supports politicians committed to Fire Island Pines and other LGBT issues.

Reisner first came under fire in April after he and his former romantic but current business partner Mati Weiderpass hosted a "fireside chat" with the historically anti-gay 2016 GOP presidential hopeful at the Manhattan penthouse apartment that the ex-couple still share.

Following the news of the Cruz party, Reisner was blasted for comments he made to the press where he at first claimed ignorance to Cruz's anti-gay record and later stated that gays were "entitled" and "cheap."

While Reisner's letter was met with applause at last Saturday's meeting, members of the Facebook group Boycott Fire Island Pines Establishments & Out NYC Hotel remain unmoved by the hotelier's move to remedy his actions.

"So, they bought off FIPPOA for 20K? #30PiecesOfSilver" wrote one group member.

Another group member wrote: "He just invested in his own business as an apology? How nice!"

Patty Rosado, who is perhaps the most ardent proponent of the boycott against the Pines properties, had strong words for the FIPPOA leadership for accepting the $20,000 check from Reisner.

"So please FIPPOA and leaders, don't continue to insult us with your announcements," Rosado posted on Facebook. "Please stop being a mouthpiece for Ian. This is not acceptable. It is an insult and a real slap in the face for Equal Rights and to many of us, who despite the current situation, still love the Pines."

Although no events are currently listed on the Pines FI website, all properties including the famed Pavilion nightclub and Blue Whale restaurant are expected to be open in time for Memorial Day weekend.