REALITY TV
TV
MOVIES
MUSIC
CELEBRITY
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Accuracy & Fairness Corrections & Clarifications Ethics Code Your Ad Choices
© MEAWW All rights reserved
MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Who is Jackie Daniel? Nashville wedding venue owner turns away gay couple

The owner of the Barn in the Bend in Nashville, Tennessee had originally sent Mike Gill and his partner Cody Heaton a proposal for their special day
PUBLISHED SEP 2, 2021
Jackie Daniel originally sent Mike Gill and his partner Cody Heaton a proposal for their special day. (Getty Images)
Jackie Daniel originally sent Mike Gill and his partner Cody Heaton a proposal for their special day. (Getty Images)

The owner of a popular wedding venue in Nashville, Tennessee, has taken down its social media accounts and website after reportedly being exposed for denying a gay couple from tying the knot there.

Jackie Daniel, the owner of the Barn in the Bend in Nashville, Tennessee originally sent Mike Gill and his partner Cody Heaton a proposal for their special day. At the bottom was a note that read, "We offer same-sex marriage ceremonies only." However, it later emerged she meant the exact opposite, the New York Daily News reported.

RELATED ARTICLES

Texas lesbian couple outraged after Christian daycare rejected their daughter's admission citing their same-sex marriage

Colorado baker Jack Phillips once sued for turning down gay couple calls gender transition cake case a 'trap'

“If this looks like something that would work for you let me know and we will be glad to set up a tour,” the message concluded. However, things took a weird turn when the couple received a follow-up email from Daniel.

“I am not sure but I believe I remember you calling me last week,” the email read. “Did you mention that your partner was a ‘he’ If I’m wrong I’m sorry. Just let me know if we need to proceed with the 4:00 appt tomorrow.” It added, “However, I don’t want to waste your time since we do not offer same-sex marriages here." This time, however, the email had a new footer message that read, "We do not offer same-sex marriage ceremonies.”

Gill responded to the email saying he would tell others that they were turned away from the venue. Daniel replied saying it was a "religious decision". She further defended herself by mentioning a negative review he had left for the business online. “I see you wasted no time with the reviews and that too is your right just as my choice of ceremony types at my venue is my choice,” she asserted.

Who is Jackie Daniel?

According to the barninthebend.com, the website for the venue, the property is owned by Jackie Daniel and her husband David Daniel. According to the team bios, Jackie and David are high school sweethearts. They have been married for 47 years and have lived on the farm where they built their home in 1985 and raised three boys. Two of their sons have pursued an interest in Tennessee Walking Horses and ran their business for 15 years. When their business dissolved, it opened the door for the Barn In The Bend wedding venue business, which started in the Fall of 2014. The site adds, "Jackie is the first person you might meet when arriving at the farm. She will be by your side throughout the entire journey. Answering all of your questions and concerns are her highest priority to ensure your day is stress free."

TMZ obtained screenshots of the conversation between Gill and Jackie Daniel and published them mentioning the venue's website and Facebook page, both of which have been taken down presumably after a barrage of negative reviews and emails slamming the owner's decision. However, before shutting down its social media accounts, Daniel reportedly responded to the negative comments saying it was "due to my religious beliefs" and "that is my choice.” 

TMZ obtained screenshots of the conversation and published them mentioning the venue's website and Facebook page, both of which have been taken down. (TMZ)

Speaking to TMZ at LAX, "American Idol" and "RuPaul's Drag Race" star Todrick Hall chimed in on the controversy. He told the outlet "it's actually an example of privilege — heterosexual privilege" and gave a shout-out to Mike and Coty for "shedding light on it."

As expected, Twitter was inundated with criticisms of Barn in the Bend and its owner Jackie Daniel. "Make sure you know where your money is going. Please do not support Barn in the Bend in Madison. They’re homophobic bigots," one user tweeted. "Shame because 'Barn in the Bend' sounds so... inviting, uh, if you will, to gay men," another wrote.

"NASHVILLE: the venue’s called “Barn In The Bend”. Avoid their hateful asses. Also, it’s far past time we stop having weddings in barns. Thank you," a comment read. "I know I’m friends with a lot of Nashville hospitality folks here so you should probably know that Barn In The Bend will not do same-sex marriages. In the year 2021," another added.



 



 



 



 

RELATED TOPICS TEXAS NEWS NASHVILLE NEWS COLORADO NEWS UTAH NEWS
POPULAR ON MEAWW
MORE ON MEAWW