Warning: This story contains transphobic and homophobic language.
A prominent gourmet food supplier, caterer and retailer in Canmore, Alta., has removed its president from the company after he sent a transphobic email to the city’s Pride event organizers.
Canmore Pride has contacted the ownership of Valbella Gourmet Foods to request sponsorship or food donations for an “inclusive and free climbing event” during Canmore Pride to be held in mid-September.
The response – containing a series of conspiracy-laden, transphobic and homophobic slurs – surprised Canmore Pride co-chair K Kealey.
“I was really shocked and obviously very disappointed,” they said. “I’m a trans person myself, so it’s also very damaging and always so frustrating when people still think that way. And a lot of his message is just bringing out these horrible stigmas that are really dangerous to our community.”
The email, signed by Jeff Von Rotz, repeats falsehoods about trans people as dangerous to children and perpetrators of violence.
Valbella Gourmet Foods owner Jeff Von Rotz’s response to a Canmore pride sponsorship request. (K Kayley)
But in reality, trans people are the ones most at risk of violence and abuse, Keeley said.
“This is extremely damaging and upsetting,” they said.
Keely said they posted the email in a private message to a group of queer people who live in the Bow Valley to let the community know how the business treats trans people and that it may not be a safe place for them to patronize.
“Everyone was very angry and upset that someone would say something like that,” they added.
The announcement was eventually posted on Twitter, where the wider community expressed support for Canmore Pride, sparking a social media storm.
The company released a statement Tuesday afternoon on its Facebook page after users began calling for major customers such as Fairmont Hotels and Banff Center to cut ties with Valbella.
Signed by Chantal von Rotz, the statement apologized for the email and said the person who wrote the email has been removed from the company and is no longer responsible for its operations.
“One person’s words do not reflect the opinions of the many people who work as part of the Valbella team,” the post said. “On the contrary, we strive to make our company an inclusive workplace where everyone is welcome.”
The email, written by Jeff Von Rotz, addresses the false claims common among right-wing conspiracy theorists about LGBTQ people preparing children for child abuse, saying there will be another “woke organization mentally ill enough to help you’.
“I’m sorry to tell you, but you can’t pay me to sponsor anything to do with cutting kids t—-,” he wrote.
Jeff von Rotz signed the email as the owner, but Chantal von Rotz later clarified that the owners and founders of Valbella Gourmet Foods were parents Walter and Leonie von Rotz. She said that Jeff von Rotz had the official title of president and that his job had been terminated since July 26.
Following the recent announcements made within the Bow Valley community and Valbella Gourmet Foods today, the Banff Center has chosen to remove all Valbella products from the company’s operations and will cease all business relationships.
—@banffcentre
Social media users reviewed the list of businesses Valbella supplies to and urged them to stop buying from the business.
Several clients of Valbella’s later said they were canceling their contracts, including Banff Center and Fairmont Hotels.
The City of Canmore also released a statement saying it stands in solidarity with the LGBTQ community in a response posted on Facebook later in the day.
The City of Canmore proudly stands in solidarity with LGTBQIA2S+ residents and visitors who make this city a more vibrant and diverse place to call home. Our community buildings and programs are safe places for everyone. pic.twitter.com/ydPLz3px52
—@TownofCanmore
Keeley called the response “panic” and unclear as the public said they would no longer support the business, wondering if the family company had really put Jeff out of business.
Valbela can also go much further in fixing the mistakes, according to Keeley. They could say how Jeff Von Rotz was suspended and explain some actions they can take to undo some of the damage caused by his comments.
CBC News has requested an interview with Jeff Von Rotz, but has not heard back. A request was made to the company, but CBC News was directed to the Facebook statement.
Keeley sees the ordeal as a teachable moment that the community can do more than just support her during Pride.
“I think this is a great example of why we continue to need spaces specifically for people in marginalized communities,” they said.
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