ABOVE: Restaurant Fridays was created by the mental health nonprofit 26Health to extend support to restaurants with a “strong LGBTQ+ and ally presence.” (Photo courtesy 26Health’s Facebook)
ORLANDO | A Central Florida nonprofit focused on mental health services has created a promotion for the month of June to help support local, LGBTQ+-inclusive restaurants.
Restaurant Fridays was created by 26Health, the self-described “LGBTQ Health Center [of Central Florida].” Every Friday in June, customers who visit one of four local restaurants and purchase an entree can receive a $10 gift certificate for their next visit by telling an employee “26Health sent me.”
The promotion is the “brainchild…of [26Health Co-CEOs] David and Robert Baker-Hargrove,” who felt inspired to give back to restaurants that have a “strong LGBTQ+ and ally presence.” Eligible restaurants for the Restaurants Friday promotion include The Hammered Lamb, Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria, Hamburger Mary’s Orlando and Se7enbites.
The spread of COVID-19 has had a devastating impact on the restaurant industry, due to the strong emphasis of social distancing. All four of the aforementioned restaurants have made donations to LGBTQ+ events in the past, so 26Health views this promotion as an opportunity to show gratitude and extend solidarity to these businesses.
“They were there for us for so long, we need to be there for them,” Brittani Acuff, Community Relations and Event Manager for 26 Health, said.
Hamburger Mary’s Orlando appreciates the support and took to Facebook to acknowledge the gesture of its “wonderful friends” at 26Health.
Formed in 2011, 26Health has dedicated itself to “providing the best and most inclusive health care for the LGBTQ+ community and the broader population in Central Florida by caring for people, rather than simply treating specific diseases or conditions.” Services offered include medical health, behavioral health, adoption services and testing & prevention. For more information, please visit their official website.
The Hammered Lamb is open on Friday from 12 p.m. to 2 a.m., Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria is open on Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Hamburger Mary’s Orlando is open on Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and Se7enbites is open on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
