Rosie O'Donnell Won't Stay At Chicago's Trump Tower After Gay Community Voices Opposition

As Donald Trump continues to make headlines for his presidential ambitions and birtherism, some of his public comments could be hurting his hotels.

Last week, Huffington Post blogger and AfterEllen.com Managing Editor Trish Bendix wrote about Rosie O'Donnell's plan to move into Chicago's Trump Tower while filming her new show for OWN at Harpo Studios in May. The post came after Trump--who has publicly ripped O'Donnell in the past--said he does not support same-sex marriages or civil benefits for gay couples.

"I decided to write the blog because every other LGBT blog that was reporting on Rosie's staying at Trump was writing about it as if it was just ironic or funny that she'd be staying at his hotel, because of their history," Bendix told HuffPost Chicago via email Wednesday. "I couldn't believe no one at OWN or even in the media had questioned it yet, based on his recent statements about gay marriage. Also, living in Chicago and being so excited about Rosie's coming to Harpo Studios, I felt a personal connection to her coming to my town and patronizing a Trump hotel when there are so many other penthouses she could stay in."

It appears that O'Donnell listened.

Bendix, who is also a member of GLAAD's Chicago Leadership Council, received a direct message from the actress via Twitter Tuesday that said "No Trump." O'Donnell also asked for suggestions on where else she could stay.

"I told her the Swissôtel, James Hotel or Elysian would be options to look into," Bendix said. "Although I'm shocked no one who is actually doing the booking for OWN could figure this out! I'm really glad Rosie is responding to it, though. She could have ignored it and stayed there regardless. I have a lot of respect for her decision."

O'Donnell isn't the only one skipping a stay at a Trump hotel due to his opposition to gay marriage and civil unions.

New York-based gay activist Allen Roskoff told the Daily News last month that he was urging members of the gay and progressive community to boycott all things Trump, calling him an "extreme bigot."

"Not only should gays be furious, we should be boycotting the products of the advertisers on his TV show," Roskoff told the paper. "..and certainly boycotting his casinos and hotels and apartment buildings."

Also, as Bendix noted in her blog last week, GLAAD is asking the LGBT community to sign a pledge to Tune Out Trump.

It looks like Rosie O'Donnell is doing just that.

Comments

[ChaCubed]

12:29 AM on 05/02/2011

I can't believe I missed this!

I'm still trying to get my mind around Oprah's company booking her there and Rosie's willingness to stay there. I'm glad this double snafu has been remedied.

Good news!

[BarryWolk]

03:07 PM on 04/29/2011

the trumpster has outsourced his ENTIRE clothing line to be made outside of the United States, including CHINA!!! How funny is THAT?!?

Time to boycott ALL things trump... not just because we disagree w/him, but if he has no money, NO ONE WILL EVER GET TO HEAR FROM HIM AGAIN!

L0$ER!!

[MrPragmatic]

01:42 AM on 04/29/2011

She was staying in an apartment in Trump Tower. She will need an apartment while in Chicago and not a hotel. Real estate prices are low. She should pick up a nice little pad on the Gold Coast or in Lincoln Park.

[Cowboylove]

05:36 PM on 04/28/2011

Trump does not hate gay people or black people. He just doesn't feel they deserve the same rights as the much better straight white people. If you are gay, you can blow Donald, but you can only blow him while in the closet. If you are black, you can shine his shoes. He loves the gays and the blacks - as long as they stay in their place.

[Maureen Humber Richards]

05:21 PM on 04/28/2011

I lost respect for Donald Trump after the whole incident with Rosie. Not that I had much of a positive view of him. When he came into my radar was during the time of him filing for bankruptcy (even thought he now says he has never been n bankruptcy) years ago. I was turned off by the way he traded in wives. But, his behavior regarding Rosie made me sick and left me to wonder how he treats the women in his life. The statements he made about her were so evil and disrespectful, it made me loose all respect for hm or anythng he could ever say. Plus now he has proven hmself to be a racist

[silvertongue]

02:28 PM on 04/28/2011

Add African-Americans to the list of those avoiding all things Trump!

[gemini2]

01:44 PM on 04/28/2011

If Rosie wants quiet and privacy I highly recommend the Ritz Carlton. The staff and accomodations are exceptional.

[MrPragmatic]

01:45 AM on 04/29/2011

She is doing her show from Chicago and will be dividing her time between here and NY. She was planing on staying at an apartment in Trump Tower. She will need an apartment--so she can leave belongings and come and go.

[philss]

12:56 PM on 04/28/2011

every one should start boycotting this blow heart
maybe the tea baggers can keep his casinos afloat
I know I do not watch his tv show nor do I buy his so called clothing line at macy's
time for him to shed a few billion in assets
a humbler trump is a better trump

[Brian Dusel]

12:20 PM on 04/28/2011

Celebrity Apprentice sponsors... Enterprise Rental Car, Clorox, Sprint, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Walt Disney, and Groupon. On February 25, 2011, the following sponsors were also announced for the upcoming season: Dr. Pepper Snapple Group, 7-Up, OnStar, Australian Gold, Camping World, ACN, Omaha Steaks, Farouk Hair Systems, www.kassatex.com, Hallmark Collectibles, Inc., Talbott Teas, and, of course, all things Trump.

[Patty Roldan]

02:55 PM on 04/28/2011

Thanks, that is good to know. I wont be purchasing any of these products and let my friends know not to either,

[Mercury2303]

05:21 PM on 04/28/2011

Thank you. I added these to my "BOYCOTT" list. I'm sharing this list with my family and friends and asking them to route on.

[Animosity Jones]

05:06 PM on 04/28/2011

Thanks for the info -- I am boycotting all thins Trump!

[frant52]

12:13 PM on 04/28/2011

I can't imagine anyone who is opposed to the rants of a mogul would even consider supporting his operations. Boycotting Trump enterprises and it's advertisers is simply natural.

[realtalking]

12:12 PM on 04/28/2011

Donald Trump and his big mouth will have everyone boycotting him when he's done!
People who believe in equality should not be staying at any Trump establishments, OR buying ANY products associated with Trump - and that includes Trump's wife - whose jewelery is MADE IN CHINA! (with all the HYPOCRITICAL ranting Donald Trump does about the Chinese - Trump, and his wife are infact one of China's BEST CUSTOMERS!)

[Giz]

10:33 AM on 04/28/2011

You just gotta love the way that the thrice married Trump (say that three times fast) is opposed to gay marriage and civil union rights. Hypocrisy thy name is Donald.

[gman87]

08:15 AM on 04/28/2011

I'm sure the load-bearing members of the structure are glad to hear of her decision.

[canobserv]

09:24 AM on 04/29/2011

Would you say that about a man too? Sounds like you an the Donald are of the same mind...or lack of one.

[Olethea]

07:54 AM on 04/28/2011

Excellent idea.

Wonder if we could run a casino or two into bankruptcy before Trump does it himself.

[philss]

12:57 PM on 04/28/2011

too late he already has bankrupted his casinos three times

[december30]

07:32 AM on 04/28/2011

All sane people should boycott this clown.