Ugly Homophobic Rant Earns Swift Boycott of Waterloo Eatery

Late Thursday night, some memes were sent to me via Facebook Messenger. The owner of Yilmaz Grill, one Iftkhar Hasan, posted this meme on a facebook group page.

Above: This Week’s VIDEO Car Review – 10 Best Things about Citroën C3 

GayCarboys Subscribe to our channel

Help Support Gay Car Boys Subscribe to our Youtube Channel 

After being unfriended by members of that group, Hasan doubled down, saying gays not visiting his shop would not affect his income. However, yesterday afternoon, Hasan sent this message this to my inbox:

Fri 14:31

a day ago

I have been silent since yesterday and observed closely everything that happened. All the threats and hate messages I received. All the fake reviews on my shop everything.

Lets start with an apology to the LGBT community that I have enraged. I would sincerely ask you guys for your forgiveness. It wasn't meant at picking a fight or cause division.

I would also like to add an incident as to why I made my post yesterday. One of my best friends got sexually abused by a Gay man back in September 2014. He was left speechless and he felt dirty and eventually he took his life. His family was left devastated. Ive been hurt as I lost a good friend and I can never erase that from memory. That is something that I will never forget. My friend was innocent and he had no fault. He didn't deserve to go so young. He was full of life but he fell a victim. If he spoke out about this incident, he would've got bullied and called anti LGBT just like I've been bullied online

You guys may hate me for life and not support my business ever again. But I ask you how would you feel if you were in my shoes and you lost a loved one?

I don't want to gain your sympathy I just want you guys to understand and accept my apology. It's not fair what happened to my friend and it wasn't wise of me to paint everyone with the same brush. I don't know how to make up for this as there's so many people that I've upset and hurt. I am not just some guy who runs a business in this area. This is my home and you guys are my neighbors. I would never want to upset my neighbors and make my home a hell.

I hope you guys can find it in your heart to forgive me and accept my apology. Covid is already ruining my livelihood and all the comments and reviews don't help. I am not asking anyone to delete them, but after hearing my side of the story, if you do, I would very appreciate it.

Our days in this world is limited. We can't afford to make enemies and leave a legacy of hatred. I know I don't. We can die any moment and our memories left in this world should be full of love.

I ask you all to also keep my friend and his family in your prayers. May he Rest in Peace!

 

 

His business is located in the heart of Waterloo. The complex, and surrounding apartments, have a high ratio of same-sex-attracted residents.

The LGBTI community has been the subject of hatred and abuse for many centuries, but it hits home when homophobic rants and threats of violence come from within the boundary managed by the body corporate.

This was, until Thursday night, an eatery frequented by both my partner and I.

Angered, I was moved to write a post in our local group Facebook page, of which Hasan is a member. It has since been removed even though it did not name Hasan, nor his business. In it, I urged residents and the "gays in the village" to boycott the business by messaging me for details.

The effect was instant.

I was flooded with requests, and forwarded the images above. Gay and straight alike were angered by such appalling homophobia. We were unmoved by his apology, and even less by his excuse.

Hasan has been removed and blocked from the group, but this highlights the continuing threats of violence endured by the gay community.

Since the first post was removed in the interests of harmony within the complex, I've issued a second post here:

"what kind of fool with a pizza shop in one of the gayest parts of sydney, posts gay hate memes? we don't need that rubbish in our very own building"

Yilmaz Grill was closed Firday night. It remains to see how things develop, but as a famous gay writer once said, "Gays get shit done."

Hasan has since removed the facebook page for Yalmiz and deleted his profile. His posts have been deleted elsewhere as the backlash gathers pace.

Residents and friends have vowed to use other businesses who are gay owned, or gay friendly.