Mississippi Restaurant Faces Backlash for Excluding LGBTQ+ Couples in Promotion

Darwell's Happiness Cafe apologizes after a viral video promoting a heterosexual-only offer triggers protests and calls for boycotts.

Darwell's Happiness Cafe in Long Beach, Mississippi, faced criticism after promoting a special offer exclusively for heterosexual couples, explicitly excluding LGBTQ+ individuals.
The video, posted on March 25, 2025, went viral after being shared by a nearby restaurant, leading to widespread backlash from local businesses, LGBTQ+ organizations, and social media users.
The owners deleted the video and issued an apology on Facebook, but also claimed they were being 'bullied by the left,' fueling further controversy.
LGBTQ+ advocacy groups, including the Gulf Coast Equality Council, have called for boycotts, and a peaceful protest is planned outside the restaurant on March 28, 2025.
The incident has reignited debates over Mississippi's Religious Liberty Accommodations Act, which allows businesses to refuse service to LGBTQ+ individuals based on religious beliefs.