US: Restaurant to investigate whether gay waitress was actually denied a tip because of sexuality

A New Jersey restaurant has said it will investigate the case of a lesbian waitress who said she was denied a tip by a family who said they did not agree with her “lifestyle”, after the family denied the allegations.

Dayna Morales, a gay former marine, allegedly received a note which read: ”I’m sorry but I cannot tip because I don’t agree with your lifestyle & how you live your life.”

However, NBC 4 New York reported that the family to whom the bill belonged contacted the network after the story broke , denying they had any part in writing the abusive message.

Following the report, the restaurants’ owners released a statement which said: “We are aware of the allegations and we have no comment pending an internal investigation.”

Social media has been ablaze with those condemning Ms Morales on the belief that she made the whole thing up.

Ms Morales told NBC 4 New York on Monday that she was certain she did not receive a tip, also denying the handwriting was hers.

She said: “All I know is what I’ve been saying.”

Previously, Ms Morales said that when she introduced herself to the couple and their two children, the mother was allegedly shocked by Ms Morales’ short hair, and said: “Oh I thought you were gonna say your name is Dan. You sure surprised us!”

The family have claimed this was a misunderstanding, however, and said the hostess who sat the family told them their server would be “Dan,” which surprised them when it turned out to be otherwise.

The mother claimed she said: “Whoa, you’re not Dan!”

The restaurant has said in a statement it is aware of the allegations and has no comment pending an internal investigation.

In September, a Yorkshire bar apologised for identifying two straight male patrons as “gay guys” on their till receipt. 

• Drag
• Dec 09 2023

Start your engines! All 15 seasons of RuPaul’s Drag Race US ranked from worst to best