I think it is good that you responded. I tend to be a bit practicle. So here goes.

First, you know how. You respond to the issue and not the person. That increases appreciation for your work for  readers.

Second, any time the author takes time to show up that increases appreciation for the author.

Third, controversy, may be irritating but is not always a bad thing.  Not that you would want to go this direction but I will always think that the band KISS became the success they did in part because of preachers going off on them on a regular basis. $ ka-ching $

Fourth some folks today cannot help themselves. They turn everything they read into a Rorschach test.  They miss your story by reading their own brain. That is not always a good thing.     Your response redirects the story back to what you intend --story.

Good on you for responding.