Brooklyn veterinary hospital fires Christian-based PR firm over refusal to back Pride

A Florida-based public relations firm was fired by a New York emergency veterinary hospital on Tuesday after they advised their client to refrain from issuing a statement opposing or supporting "Pride Month." The PR firm also asked if the hospital went forward with a statement, that the PR firm not be associated with the its release.   

Judge Public Relations, a Christian-based PR and marketing firm, told the Veterinary Emergency Referral Group of Brooklyn (VERG) that it would be in the company's best interest to avoid controversial topics and refrain from issuing a press release about LGBTQ Pride. 

Additionally, James Judge, the owner of the PR agency, requested that VERG not list his company as a contact and instead offer alternative media connections if they were to move forward with a press release, citing his Christian religious convictions. 

The request severely angered VERG and they terminated the vendor relationship in an email on Tuesday. 

Brett Levitzke, VERG's Chief Medical Officer, acknowledged the "wonderful work" Judge's company had done for them over the past several years, but the damage was done and therefore the company "will no longer need the services of Judge PR effective immediately." 

"I respect your professional opinion that addressing social issues may be a poor business decision, but this went beyond a professional opinion when you decided you would not put your firm's name on a Pride release due to your personal feelings of the LGBTQ+ community," wrote Levitzke. 

"This is a clear indicator that there is an insurmountable divide in our respective values related to inclusivity," said Levitzke. "When personal feelings bleed into and effect professional decisions, then I must do what I feel is right." 

James Judge, who is running to unseat Rep. Laure Lee in Florida's 15th congressional district, responded to the termination on Wednesday in a press release and said: "This pro-gay agenda has been relentlessly forced upon every American for years, particularly those of us who hold to traditional Christian and Biblical values. It's not enough for us to stay silent, they want submission that just won't fly with me." 

"Many businesses are afraid to stand up to the rainbow mafia for this very reason, but I've had enough. My business will not be bullied into associating with the 'Pride' movement or anything else that goes against my values," said Judge. 

Judge lamented that "the real irony here is that in the same email where Levitzke uses the word 'inclusivity' twice to talk about their values celebrating everyone, he terminates our business relationship because of my personal religious beliefs and convictions." 

The Post Millennial reached out to VERG for comment.