Shop Local Raleigh director sparks furor for Facebook post on transgender youth
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Shop Local Raleigh director posted anonymously on Facebook denying transgender status.
- Members, artists demanded apology, donations or Martin’s resignation from the nonprofit.
- Night Market Company said it won’t renew its Shop Local Raleigh membership.
Some Triangle business owners are demanding the leader of the nonprofit Shop Local Raleigh apologize, donate money, or even resign over her recent anonymous online comment dismissing transgender youth identity.
“There’s no such thing as a transgender son,” Shop Local Raleigh’s executive director Jennifer Martin wrote last week in the Facebook group Networking Women of the Triangle. “Blessing to you, but the sooner you help your son realize this, the more successful he (maybe a she) will be.”
Martin was responding to a group message from a Wake County parent seeking sports opportunities for their transgender child. While Martin made this post anonymously, her identity was visible to the group’s administrators, who banned her and made her identity known to the wider Facebook group. The News & Observer has since reviewed screenshots provided by one administrator confirming Martin’s personal account sent the comment.
“It’s caused a real stir in the art community,” said Durham jewelry maker Bethany Duffrin, who launched an online petition calling for Martin to be held accountable for her language.
Duffrin is one of several Shop Local Raleigh members questioning whether they would stay in the organization. In a Dec. 25 Facebook post, the Raleigh-based event planner Night Market Company stated it didn’t intend to renew its Shop Local Raleigh membership over the controversy.
“I think the only way that our LGBT and ally community will feel comfortable supporting Shop Local Raleigh is if bigger actions are taken,” said Erica Vogel, who runs a jewelry and leather goods business in Rolesville called Be Like Missy. “I think [Martin] doesn’t deserve to represent our small business collective.”
Founded in 2009, Shop Local Raleigh promotes more than 900 member companies through directory listings, social media posts, networking events, discount vendor fees and advertisements. Businesses range from food trucks to HVAC services, with yearly membership fees between $50 and $275. The nonprofit, which is part of the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association, also runs the annual craft beer festival Brewgaloo and the Raleigh Christmas Parade.
“The Board of Directors of the Greater Raleigh Merchants Association (Shop Local Raleigh) is aware of concerns surrounding a recent, personal, social media comment made by our Executive Director,” GRMA wrote in a statement to The N&O on Monday. “The Board is currently addressing the matter. The comment made does not reflect those of the organization. Shop Local Raleigh is dedicated to a culture of diversity, inclusion, and respect.”
Martin did not respond to The N&O’s emailed questions about her comment. Her Facebook and LinkedIn accounts are each not currently active. She has led Shop Local Raleigh since at least 2012, newspaper archives show.
On Dec. 22, Martin emailed Vogel after Vogel posted on Facebook about not wanting to renew her Shop Local Raleigh membership. In Vogel’s message, she had incorrectly referred to Martin as the owner of Shop Local Raleigh and Brewgaloo.
“I am always open to conversation and work hard to be welcoming and supportive of all small businesses in our community,” Martin wrote. “Because your post references businesses I do not own, I’m asking that it be removed. If not, we will need to have our attorney formally request its removal.”
This story was originally published December 29, 2025 at 3:52 PM with the headline "Shop Local Raleigh director sparks furor for Facebook post on transgender youth."
