‘2SLGBTQ organization’ boycotts black-owned bakery over picture of police badge

The photo in question from LenJo Bakes features a Waterloo Regional Police junior officer sticker, one that's given to kids, with the "tounge-in-cheek" message of "It's official. I'm a junior officer. Not just for Halloween. Forever."

An unnamed 2SLGBTQ organization apparently took issue with this, questioning LenJo Bakes about the post to their Instagram story.

"Hi lenjo. I saw on your story a picture of a police badge. What is your affiliation with wrps (Waterloo Regional Police Service)?" they asked.

"Hi hi! Oh it's just a sticker!" LenJo Bakes responded. "A couple of officers stopped in for a brekkie and gave one to one of our customers kids and I wanted one too! We were Jr. Officers for… as long as the stickers held on for."

"Due to your pro-cop post, we as a 2SLGBTQ organization are no longer comfortable supporting you as a business," they responded. "As such, we are pulling you from our event today for which we had ordered some cookies and squares."

LenJo Bakes is a bakery located Kitchener, Ontario. The owner and founder, Lenore Johnson, is a black woman.

"Our years abroad in France, England, and New Zealand have broadened our horizons, improved our palettes, and deepened our appreciation of celebrating and sharing our love with others," the business' website states. "Working in 5-star luxury hotels and a Michelin-starred restaurant taught us everything we would ever need to know about hard work and maintaining a high standard of excellence."

Following those messages, the LenJo Bakes Instagram account posted about the incident, stating that "apparently the expectation was that in order to participate in the publicly-funded event we needed to be anti-cop."

"If you've followed us for nearly any amount of time you would know that we are fervent promoters of community over everything," Johnson continued. "We do not seek to divide. It is impossible to build community while excluding an entire subset of diverse people based on their occupation."

Johnson wrote that an executive director of the unnamed organization said in a phone call that they "would like to see a public post saying that I'm *not* pro-cop and acknowledging that a posting a photo of a sticker of a police badge on Halloween was *not* just a sticker, but a harmful symbol."

"We aren't 'anti' anyone here at LenJo Bakes. If us not outwardly sharing your divisive views disqualifies us from doing business with you… [shrugging emoji]," the post continued.

Johnson wrote that following the messages from that organization, stresses of being an entrepreneur have surpassed the normal. "Last week I was just a 'normal' level of overwhelmed entrepreneur: hiding in the bathroom until my panic attacks passed. But what I'm experiencing now is new. And terrible. And worse."

"I was also told today that a decision had not yet been made whether or not a public statement from the organization re: us and our 'pro-cop' position was forthcoming. If that comes and you want to talk about it, feel free to drop by the shop. As always, everyone is welcome," Johnson added, noting that she would be taking a step back from social media for "a while."