Lesbian Couple Withdraws Bar Complaint after Media Watched CCTV Footage
A lesbian couple who posted an open letter to Facebook saying they were kicked out of a Wellington bar for kissing briefly have decided against taking further actions after media were invited to watch CCTV footage of the incident.
Rebekah Galbraith, 22, and Jennie Leadbeater, 21, told the media they were asked to leave the Public Courtenay Place bar in Wellington shortly before 3 in the morning on Sunday after they kissed on the lips, even as the kiss did not last longer than two seconds.
The accused doorman, however, said the women were standing on top of a table acting inappropriately, and they responded aggressively when he asked them to "tone it down.''
But Galbraith said they were asked to leave immediately after their brief kiss.
"He excluded us on the basis of our sexuality, I truly believe that... I would really like an apology. I think I deserve that and I think my girlfriend deserves that. We don't deserve to be discriminated against," she earlier said, adding, she planned to complain to the Human Rights Commission over the incident.
The following day, Public owner Gina Mills invited media to watch CCTV footage of the incident.
Then 3 News reported Tuesday night that after its reporter watched the footage the complaint was withdrawn.
APNZ reported neither Ms Mills or Ms Galbraith could be reached for comment.