A lesbian couple that was allegedly asked to leave a downton Phoenix restaurant for kissing has been invited back with an apology their story went viral on Facebook, according to Yahoo News.
The couple, Kenyata White and Aeimee Diaz, were at Sheraton’s District Kitchen restaurant in downtown Sunday to celebrate their one-year anniversary. The couple says that after they engaged in a kiss the manager approached them and told them to "get a room," saying that he had received complaints from patrons in the restaurant. Upon seeing how upset White and Diaz became the manager made the offer of free drinks if the left immediately and returned at a later date, according to an ABC News report.
"By no means at all were we doing any inappropriate activity. It was a light kiss a kiss that you could give your friends on the lips. It wasn't any make out at all and so we were very puzzled as to why we need to get a room," White told ABC.
White took to her Facebook page to express outrage over being discriminated against, and was treated to an outpouring of support from the community, an invitation to return to the restaurant and even to a statement from Phoenix's Mayor Greg Stanton, who wrote about the incident on his Facebook page.
"In our city, diversity is our strength and we support our LGBT friends, family and neighbors. We fully expect the Sheraton, which also has committed their support to our LGBT community, to work with Equality Arizona and resolve this issue in a professional way with their staff. Let's be completely clear -- Phoenix is a gay-friendly city and we welcome the LGBT community, not only because it is good business but also because it's the right thing to do," Stanton wrote, according to Yahoo.
White and Diaz said that they want others to know how they were treated, and are hurt by the incident, but are not sure whether they will take further action, according to ABC.
Sheraton's general manager released a statement saying "We embrace diversity and are proud supporters of the LGBT community. We take this incident very seriously." The statement goes on to say "Our restaurant is open for all to enjoy. We sincerely regret that this incident took place."
Watch the video from ABC 15 in Arizona below:
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