REALITY star Gretchen Rossi has hit out at allegations she “liked” anti-gay social media posts – saying they are fake screenshots and that she is a huge supporter of the LGBTQ+ community.
A reel shared online by the Instagram account @therealhousematesofnewyork – believed to be one of the first accounts to post the screenshots – tagging Gretchen, 46, said: “Hey MAGA Barbie you can just go f**k right off with your blatant homophobia.”
Gretchen Rossi has strongly denied claims she like anti-gay posts on Instagram[/caption]
This account has shared screenshots which Gretchen says are fake[/caption]
Gretchen and husband Slade with Sham Ibrahim, a drag queen who has leapt to her defense[/caption]
The reel, which has been picked up and shared multiple times, contained alleged screenshots of the Real Housewives cast member “liking” disgusting homophobic content such as posts which compared homosexuality to pedophilia.
Now Gretchen has strongly refuted the allegations, telling The U.S. Sun the screenshots are fake, that she firmly stands against any form of hatred and bigotry and has always fully supported the LGBTQ+ community.
The Real Housewives of Orange County star has since received a barrage of abuse over the “fake” screenshots – including death threats against her and partner Slade Smiley, which The U.S. Sun has seen.
Gretchen told The U.S. Sun: “It’s my understanding that there is a small group of Housewives fan sites and blogs passing a story around that I allegedly liked highly offensive posts.
“This is false, those are manipulated screenshots meant to cause harm to my reputation and bring attention to themselves.
“I firmly stand against any form of hatred and bigotry and have always fully supported the LGBTQ+ community.”
Gretchen is said to be heartbroken over the claims and has even hired a private investigator to go through the screenshots and see where they originated.
A close friend of the Bravo star told The U.S. Sun: “Having been friends with Gretchen for over 15 years it’s mind-boggling to me how she could ever be accused of hate for the LGBT community and people believe that.
Gretchen says she is against all forms of hatred and bigotry[/caption]
Gretchen and her family have received death threats since the posts were shared[/caption]
“In fact, it’s the opposite, she always surrounds herself with her many incredibly loving gay friends in her community.
“People only need to look at all the things Gretchen has done in her life to help make a difference in the gay community.
“It was Gretchen who brought a drag queen on the Housewives show in 2013.
NO MARRIAGE VOW
“And Gretchen and Slade who vowed not to marry unless their gay friends would have the same opportunities.
“Gretchen and Slade also modeled for the NO H8 campaign against hate. To try to impress on people to love all.
“Or when Gretchen came to support pop artist and drag queen Sham Ibraham for one of his very first art shows. And Slade painted a piece of artwork for Sham and they exchanged paintings.
“Or the time she had the most beautiful baby shower (when she was pregnant with Skyler) and she invited her best gay best friends to get married during the shower and she was even was best man for the wedding.
“For Gretchen who truly loves and supports the gay community these accusations are devastating. And the death threats and backlash are even worse.”
Another friend of Gretchen’s Sham Ibrahim, an artist and drag queen, added: “The presumption that Gretchen has a homophobic bone in her body is preposterous. I have known her for over a decade, long before it was popular to support the LGBT community. She has only ever shown me love and surrounded herself in full support of the LGBT community.
“In 2014, Gretchen and Slade showed up to my very first ever art show to show me support. In fact, Slade even painted a giant portrait of me as a gift.
“The absurdity of these false accusations toward Gretchen was mind blowing because she has always been there for me and I am the same drag queen/ transgender person I’ve always been.
‘DANGEROUS’ ACCUSATIONS
“These accusations are very dangerous during this heated political climate – and in turn it threatens Gretchen’s reputation and safety.”
Gretchen has now hired private investigator Andy Kaye from K&A Associates in Beverly Hills to look into how the screenshots were made and where they originated.
“After reviewing the posts in my professional option they appear to be altered,” he said.
“We have been seeing more and more cyber bullying and Instagram posts being manipulated and used against victims especially during this heated political climate.
“This appears to be a perfect example of the dangerous effects these falsified posts can have on a person’s reputation and safety.
“We will work on this case and do a deep dive investigation because we believe that people deserve reputation security and protections from false accusations. This is crucial.”
The U.S. Sun has reached out to the @therealhousematesofnewyork Instagram account for comment.
Gretchen is mom to Skylar[/caption]
