Student kicked out of Sainsbury’s for being gay

A third year was ordered to stop kissing her girlfriend or leave Sainsbury’s – because another customer said it was “disgusting”.

Sussex student Annabelle Paige was in the Brighton branch on Saturday when she gave her girlfriend a “light kiss”.

But a security guard asked the 22-year-old to leave after a customer complained.

Annabelle said: “A customer had complained saying what we were doing was ‘disgusting’ and had claimed they were worried for the safety of their child.

“So the security guard felt she had to come and say something to us. That word, disgusting, it really resonated and shook me.

“I gave her a very brief light kiss, in no way was it like we were standing in the middle of Sainsbury’s making out.

“I get that if another customer is uncomfortable, that’s a bad thing, but the problem is the other customer was in the wrong and essentially being homophobic.

“The guard didn’t seem to understand that, I was absolutely humiliated”.

The incident, which took place on the 11th of October, ironically coincided with World Coming Out Day.

A spokesman for Sainsbury’s said: “This should never have happened – it is clear that Miss Paige and her partner were not behaving inappropriately and we are very sorry that they were treated in this way.

“We have called Miss Paige to apologise and will be making a donation to a charity of her choice”.

Update

The University of Sussex Student Union has released a statement on the matter: “We have spoken to the student concerned, who appreciated the apology from Sainsbury’s.

“However, whilst the company has publicly stated it will be making a donation to a charity of her choice, it appears the donation is currently of £100.

“Sainsbury’s reported an annual pre tax profit in the year to March 15 of £898m. If the company is serious about helping tackle homophobia in our society, we call on them to increase this substantially.

“The Students’ Union is aware that members of our community may wish to respond to this outrageous event and we are working with local groups to organise this.”

A Facebook event has been organised to invite all people of all creeds to head to the Sainbury’s just behind London Road for one big mass consensual kiss with whomever or whatever you want.

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