'Can’t tip someone who doesn’t love Jesus': Gay Buffalo Wings waitress denied tip over her pro-LGBT rainbow tattoo

A gay waitress claims she was denied a tip by a family of five because of her pro-LGBT rainbow tattoo.

Samantha Heaton, who works at a branch of Buffalo Wings in Illinois, US, was instead left a scrawled message on the credit card slip which read: “Can’t tip someone who doesn’t love Jesus. Bad tattoo (sic).”

She said the family had not mentioned her equality bars tattoo, sexuality or religion during their entire meal at the restaurant in Rockwell.

“I went above and beyond for this couple, and for them to leave that kind of hurt,” said the 20-year-old. “Like, I have bills to pay too.”

Ms Heaton told local newspaper the Rock River Times that she is a Christian herself and has a girlfriend of three years.

“I do believe in Jesus and God. I myself am a Christian,” she said.

“And, as a Christian, thou shall not judge. No matter how someone looks, you should love them for what’s in their heart and how they treat you—not for what is on the outside.

“As someone who came out when it was still a battle for the LGBTQ community, that’s just plain rude and uncalled for. What if one day their kids grow up and want to be with the same sex, are they going to disown them? Throw them on the street?”

A photograph of the message written on the $60.55 receipt next to Ms Heaton's tattoo – posted to Facebook by a colleague – has been shared more than 1,500 times.

It has inspired hundreds of comments of support from around the world, with many arguing that supporting LGBT rights does not make you anti-Christian.