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Rockford Server Says She Was Denied Tip Because of Her Sexuality

A server at a Rockford-area restaurant says that a family decided not to tip her because of her sexuality, and the message they left on their receipt is going viral.

Samantha Heaton, a server at the Buffalo Wild Wings in Rockford, IL, told a local publication that when the family signed their check, they left her a message explaining why they didn’t tip her:

“Can’t tip someone who doesn’t love Jesus! Bad tatoo (sp),” the note read.

The tattoo in question was a rainbow tattoo symbolizing equality. Heaton told the Rock River Times that the subject of religion never came up when she was helping the customers, and that the snub surprised her.

“I went above and beyond for this couple, and for them to leave that (note) kind of hurt,” she told the Times. “Like, I have bills to pay too.”

Heaton’s friend posted the message and a picture of her tattoo on Facebook, where it has since been shared nearly 600 times and has received hundreds of comments.

Even as people weigh in on the controversy, Heaton says that if she were to get the tattoo again, she would make it bigger. 

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