Mendota Heights Landscaper Faces Backlash from Vote Yes Support

Stan Genadek, the owner of Genadek Landscaping and Excavation and a vocal supporter of the proposed constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, has been receiving hate email from opponents of the amendment, CBS Minnesota is reporting.

“They usually read ‘I hope your business fails’ or ‘You’re a close-minded bigot,’” Genadek told CBS. “I’ve received a few that say ‘I hope you die.’”

CBS Minnesota has more on its website:

For the first time, Genadek is wading into the dangerous waters of mixing business and politics. He supports the Minnesota’s Constitutional amendment that recognizes marriage as solely between one man and one woman.

“My stance is the government needs to stay out of the decision,” Genadek said. “I believe gays and lesbians should have all of the same rights, but it shouldn’t be defined by that word in a religious context. If government starts telling religious leaders how to treat gay marriage, what else could they force onto them?”

Genadek labels himself a supporter of gay rights — he’s proud to call a number of gays and lesbians customers. He would support civil unions ’100 percent’ — just nothing with the word marriage attached to it.

Genadek has beat back the backlash, responding to every negative email he receives. It’s an often futile effort to explain his position to his opponents.

“I just wish people would talk to me about it rationally,” Genadek said. “I want to tell people (they) are pigeon-holing me into something that I’m not — I’m not a gay-hater. Just because you back an issue doesn’t mean you back it for the reasons they think you do.”