Another week of Homophobia?

Following the Supreme Court decision to refuse the appealof the Bulls this week, we highlight another,much more local example of homophobia in Manchester City Centre.

Matt Bonilla, Manager at Churchills on Canal St, stated

Just to clarify the situation, it happened at Wetherspoons Picadilly when we visited for Breakfast on Tuesday morning. We popped into the venue, and were greeted by a member of bar staff who told us 'You won't be being served guys'.

When asked why, we were then told 'I know what you queers are like'. Shocked by this, we then asked her to repeat it, which she duly did and then asked us to leave the restaurant before the police were called. We waited a reasonable period of time, but no police arrived. So we proceeded to call and report it ourselves.

When the police arrived and detained the girl concerned, she was then taken into in custody. We too were asked to attend the police station and to give statements.

To our amazement we were told that the girl would not be charged, despite admitting to them what she had said.

The Police told us then that they wouldn't be taking it any further, as it was a homophobic comment but not a hate crime!

Asked to respond....

Wetherspoon spokesman Eddie Gershon said: “We are aware of an incident at the Wetherspoon pub. Until we have spoken with those concerned, we are unable to give a fuller account... We will be speaking to those concerned as soon as possible and  guarantee that the incident will be investigated by senior management within the company.”

Update from the trio concerned..

So after speaking with GMP again today who have looked further into the allegation and the way it was handled, they have come to the conclusion that the situation was handled correctly and that no further action will be taken.I an only hope the girl has realised that comments such as this are not acceptable to everyone.

I will be sending an email to JD Wetherspoons to express my concern and the lack of training of staff, but I will not be taking any further action on the matter.

I would urge anyone who has received homophobic attack or hate crime to report them to GMP.

'I am disappointed at the final outcome and with the lack of support from the LGBT community'.

Below is the press release that has been prepared by GMP

Shortly before 7.50am on Tuesday 26 November 2013, police received a report that three men had been refused service inside a licensed premises in the
Manchester Piccadilly area and that they believed this to be a homophobic incident.

Officers attended and a woman was arrested on suspicion of a public order offence. She was taken into police custody for questioning and officers investigated the reasons surrounding the refusal of service. The woman was later released without charge.

Follow us on Twitter: @GMPCityCentre
City Integrated Neighbourhood Policing Team
Greater Manchester Police
Bootle St Police Station, Manchester M2 5GU
Tel: 0161 856 3526

Published: 28-Nov-2013: (2200)