Warning: This story contains transphobic and homophobic language.
A prominent Canmore, Alta., gourmet food supplier, caterer and retailer has ousted its president from running the company after he sent a transphobic email to organizers of that city’s Pride events.
Canmore Pride has contacted the ownership of Valbella Gourmet Foods to inquire about sponsorship or food donations for a “free and inclusive climbing event” during Canmore Pride taking place mid September
The response, which contains a string of conspiracy-laden, transphobic and homophobic slurs, shocked Canmore Pride co-chair K Kealey.
“I was very surprised and obviously very disappointed,” they said. “I’m a trans person myself, so it’s also very hurtful and it’s always very disappointing when, you know, people still think like that. And so much of their message is just presenting these horrible stigmas that are really dangerous to our community “.
The email, signed by Jeff von Rotz, repeated lies about trans people being dangerous to children and perpetrators of violence.
Valbella Gourmet Foods owner Jeff von Rotz’s response to a Canmore Pride sponsorship request. (K Kealey)
But in reality, it’s trans people who are at risk of violence and abuse, Kealey said.
“It is extremely harmful and annoying,” they said.
Kealey said they posted the email to a private message group of queer people living in the Bow Valley to let the community know how the business treated trans people and that it may not be a safe space for them.
“Everyone was very angry and upset that someone said something like that”, they add.
The message was eventually posted on Twitter, where the wider community expressed its support for Canmore Pride, causing a social media firestorm.
The company posted a statement Tuesday afternoon on its Facebook page after users began asking major clients, including Fairmont Hotels and the 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, discusses false claims common among right-wing conspiracy theories of LGBTQ people grooming children for child abuse, saying there would be another “organization awakening mentally ill enough to help- you”.
“I’m sorry to say it, but you couldn’t pay me to sponsor anything to do with child preparation t—-,” she 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 are parents Walter and Leonie von Rotz. He said Jeff von Rotz had the official title of president and his job was terminated on July 26.
Following the recent communications that were made public today to the Bow Valley community and Valbella Gourmet Foods, Banff Center has chosen to withdraw all Valbella products from the company’s operations and will seize any business relationship.
—@banffcentre
Social media users reviewed the list of businesses that supply Valbella and asked them to stop buying from the business.
Several Valbella clients later said they were canceling their contracts, including the 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 that day.
The City of Canmore proudly stands in solidarity with our LGTBQIA2S+ residents and visitors who make this city a more vibrant and diverse place to call home. Our municipal buildings and programs are safe spaces for everyone. pic.twitter.com/ydPLz3px52
—@TownofCanmore
Kealey called the response “panic” and unclear, with the public saying they would no longer support the business, questioning whether the family business had really put Jeff out of business.
Valbella could also go much further to repair, according to Kealey. They could say how Jeff von Rotz was removed and explain some actions they can take to undo some of the damage done by his comments.
CBC News reached out to Jeff von Rotz for an interview, but did not receive a response. A request was made to the company, but CBC News was directed to the statement on Facebook.
Chantal von Rotz told CBC News via email later Wednesday that the company would take further actions including:
- We reach out to the LGBTQ+ community to express our sincerest apologies.
- We look forward to working soon with experts in the LGBTQ+ community to implement new training and education.
- Our priority is to regain the trust of the community. We are working on a more detailed community support plan and will share more details as soon as possible.
- We are conducting a comprehensive review of our internal policies and will be implementing a new equity, diversity and inclusion policy.
- We want to make sure our employees have a supportive environment and we provide them with support.
Kealey sees the test as a teaching moment that the community can do more than just support the community during Pride.
“I think this is a good example of why we continue to need specific spaces for people in marginalized communities,” they said.