Ross McKnight, a Louisiana-based Catholic father of five and owner of Backwater Foie Gras, has reportedly lost a significant portion of his customer base following a social media post in which he defended traditional Catholic values and criticized the celebration of “pride month”. In an Instagram post on June 3, McKnight referred to the month as an “attempted coup of the month of June” and advocated for measures to uphold Catholic values. He suggested activities such as enthroning the Sacred Heart of Jesus in homes, wearing the Sacred Heart symbol, and praying the Rosary for the conversion of souls.
In response to his post, several of McKnight’s biggest customers, making up two-thirds of his restaurant business, decided to cancel their orders. McKnight communicated this news in a follow-up Instagram post, stating, “While we’ve never required our customers to pass a litmus test before serving them, it seems our values, which come from lives lived as Louisiana Catholics, are considered unacceptable by some.” He did not express regret over his initial post.
Despite the significant financial setback, McKnight and his family chose to see the losses in a positive light, viewing their financial hardship as participation in the triumph of their faith. “We count it a privilege to have lost much,” he wrote. “It is an honor to participate, through the suffering of our family, in the triumph of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.” McKnight added that they had begun to see their business restored, thanks in part to the support from fellow Catholics.
Harrison Weinhold, a friend and supporter of the McKnights, informed The Federalist that the cancellations resulted in a loss of between $6,000 and $10,000 in monthly revenue. Given the small scale of the McKnight’s operation, these losses could potentially threaten the family’s livelihood. Weinhold criticized the canceling restaurant owners in a Twitter thread, accusing them of being outsiders who disrupted the local community and culture.
Despite the financial and social pressures, McKnight maintained his stand on his religious beliefs. In an interview with The Federalist, he expressed his resolve to uphold his values despite the implications, stating, “If we don’t stand here, on the last assault of the family, then there’s no more ground left behind us.” He added that they have to fight because if this battle is lost, there would be nothing left behind.