Hale and Hearty vegan owner Mark Da Costa accused of homophobic comments
He claimed “left wing fake vegans” went after him because of his political views. But now Facebook posts of an inner city restaurant owner apparently making homophobic slurs have emerged.
Wentworth Courier
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The vegan restaurant owner at the centre of a social media storm over his support for Donald Trump has been sprung apparently posting homophobic insults and racist jokes online.
Hale and Hearty Waterloo owner Mark Da Costa told the Wentworth Courier he was under attack by the “left wing fake vegan community” who objected to his right wing political views.
The Pauline Hanson supporter denied he was a racist but screenshots from his private social media account have now emerged of him making a racist joke about Chinese victims of coronavirus.
Homophobic slurs against detractors made by the person operating the Hale and Hearty business account have also been made, which have since been deleted.
“Go f*** yourself (homophobic slur),” was one response to someone who made a derogatory comment about his appearance.
The Hale and Hearty account responded similarly to another person who questioned Mr Da Costa’s attitude towards the LGBT community.
“Phew at least you are making it easy to decide where to never eat in the area also will be making sure everyone I know is aware. You are no friend of the LGBTI community,” wrote one person.
“Are you a (homophobic slur)?” Hale and Hearty responded.
Mr Da Costa did not respond to the Wentworth Courier’s questions.
However when asked last week, he said he was far from bigoted and in fact a vocal supporter of the black and LGBT communities having lived in Redfern and Surry Hills for his entire life.
“We’ve always supported the gay and LGBT community,” he said.
“When they were hosting the plebiscite we posted, ‘yes we support you’.”
The Hale and Hearty Facebook page addressed some of the screenshots which continue to do the rounds on social media in a post to the business page last night.
“One of these posts included a joke about the Chinese during Covid19 and a terrible joke on my part about Ghislaine Maxwell’s capture,” Hale and Hearty wrote.
“My business and family have received hundred of threats and vulgar messages from both the vegan and gay community who have labelled the business racist among other deplorable things for the posts and being Trumpions (NEW WORD?)
“Who we privately support should have never crossed over into the brand, but it did. So now we must stand against these haters and trolls and remain united and calm.”
Meanwhile, the Hale and Hearty Facebook page has been flooded with hundreds of messages of support from around the globe.
“I’d eat vegan for a night to support you. Chin up don’t worry about the haters,” wrote one person.
“Thank you so much for your stand MAGA 2020. Jeff from Texas,” wrote another.