Editor's note: This article has been revised from a previous version to include a statement from Carolyn Pinta regarding a lack of process service of the complaint, as of Oct. 10.
The owner of a dance studio in northwest suburban Buffalo Grove has pushed back against an alleged online attack against her reputation and business, filing a defamation lawsuit against a Buffalo Grove LGBTQ activist and public school teacher who published posts on Facebook that sought to expose the dance studio owner for allegedly “preaching non-affirmation” and “hate” that can “cause suicide.”
On Aug, 30, Louise Taitz, owner of On Your Toes Dance Academy, of Buffalo Grove, filed suit in Lake County Circuit Court against Carolyn Pinta.
Pinta is a prominent Democratic progressive activist in the Buffalo Grove community. Pinta serves as director of nonprofits known as The Pinta Pride Project and BG Pride, the organization she runs with her family to organize Buffalo Grove’s Pride events.
Pinta also teaches at a Buffalo Grove middle school, according to public records.
Pinta has run for the Buffalo Grove village board, and has lobbied the village and others publicly to endorse LGBTQ causes and display LGBTQ symbols.
Pinta’s social media features a steady stream of progressive political messaging, including strong statements of dislike for Republicans and others who hold conservative political opinions or traditional moral and social views.
However, Pinta’s messaging most typically support the advancement of LGBTQ people and causes, and or critcize people and messages she believes are “non-affirming” to people who identify as LGBTQ.
In June, however, Taitz alleges Pinta crossed a legal line in allegedly using her personal Facebook page to allegedly attack Taitz and attempt to persuade people to pull their children from Taitz’s dance studio, or not enroll at all.
According to the complaint, Pinta criticized Taitz for allegedly “passing on a petition” that Pinta deemed “anti-trans” and that was intended to “take away rights from trans women.”
In the posts, Pinta said, of Taitz: “Her opinions cause suicide” among people who identify as transgender.
“She is preaching hate,” Pinta said in a statement purportedly posted on Facebook. “This is hate.”
Further, Pinta told others she did not believe she was “bullying,” because she intended to “make sure folks know who they are sending their kids to” and she was presenting “facts.”
She also stated she did not believe her comments on Facebook could be made into a court case because “my facebook (sic) page is NOT a public forum.”
Further, Pinta encouraged people reading her comments about Taitz to take their business to three other dance studios in Buffalo Grove who participated in the BG Pride events and, by doing so, were “setting an example.”
Taitz’s attorney believes at some point Pinta deleted the posts, or otherwise hid them from public view.
However, Taitz captured screen shots of the posts, which were shared with The Cook County Record.
According to the complaint, Pinta’s comments resulted in reduced business for Taitz and resulted in other organizations, including dance competitions, terminating business relationships with Taitz and her studio.
In the complaint, Taitz asserts Pinta leveled the comments with malice, with the intent to damage her reputation and harm her business, even though the statements directed at Taitz were allegedly false.
Taitz’s lawsuit includes counts against Pinta of defamation per se, and tortious interference with business relations.
Taitz is asking the court to order Pinta to pay at least $50,000, plus punitive damages and attorney fees.
In the weeks since Pinta posted the comments about Taitz and her studio, Pinta and her husband have launched a GoFundMe, asking Pinta’s friends and supporters to help her offset the expected costs of defending against Taitz’s legal action.
In statements posted on GoFundMe and Facebook, Pinta has not apologized for the comments and has said she is not at liberty to discuss any specifics about the controversy or Taitz’s case.
However, she has repeatedly thanked her supporters and earlier this month said she and her family “will ALWAYS call out non-affirming behaviour and stand against it with all of our might.”
After initial publication of this article, Pinta told The Cook County Record that, as of October 10, she has not yet been served by an official process server with a copy of the filed complaint, even though the complaint was filed on Aug. 30.
A judge has scheduled a conference concerning the case for Nov. 17. The case is docketed in Lake County Circuit Court as 22LA00000406.
Taitz is represented in the action by attorney Lawrence A. Steingold, of Arlington Heights.
According to Lake County court records, no attorney has yet entered an appearance on Pinta’s behalf.