Lesbian couple claim they were harassed for kissing at the theatre in ‘homophobic’ ordeal
- Tori Alexander, 21 and her partner Tia Willey, 24 went out in Weston-super-Mare
- They claimed they were subjected to homophobic abuse by another couple
A lesbian couple claim they were harassed for kissing at the theatre – and told they could move to a row farther back in the venue.
Tori Alexander, 21, bought girlfriend Tia Willey, 24, tickets to see a show at the Playhouse in Weston-super-Mare, Somerset for her birthday.
The couple were in row B, just below the stage for Cirque: The Greatest Show, which is travelling across the country having had a successful West End run.
Shortly before the show started on August 8, Ms Willey gave Ms Alexander ‘a peck on the lips’ in thanks for the birthday present.
Ms Alexander said a couple sitting behind them tapped them on the shoulder to tell them to ‘stop kissing’ as it was ‘unacceptable behaviour’.
Tori Alexander, pictured right, had purchased the tickets to Cirque: The Greatest Show for her girlfriend Tia Willey, left, who was celebrating her birthday. They allege they were made to feel uncomfortable after a man and woman in the audience objected to them sharing a kiss
The couple planned to share an evening out at the show at the Playhouse Theatre, Weston-super-Mare
Ms Alexander told the couple in the row behind that they were free to kiss if they wished. She claimed the woman responded ‘it was different between a man and a woman’.
Ms Alexander and Ms Willey complained to staff, who they claim told them they could move to seats further back in the theatre.
Ms Alexander said: ‘As we took out seats Tia said thank you for the birthday present and gave me a peck on the lips.
‘It wasn’t any more than that as we don’t really do PDA.
‘The couple behind me then tapped me on the shoulder and when I turned around the woman was wiggling her finger in my face.
‘She told me we should not kiss because it was unacceptable behaviour in the theatre.
‘I told her we weren’t doing anything inappropriate and that she was free to kiss her partner too.
‘Then she told me it was different between a man and a woman.
‘That made me realise it wasn’t about us kissing. It was homophobia.’
Ms Alexander, right, said the objection wasn’t due to the kiss, it was because she is in a same-sex relationship
The couple allege the other couple told them that a man and woman kissing ‘was different’
Ms Alexander went to find a member of staff who brought the incident to his manager’s attention.
The couple claimed when management were informed staff asked the second couple about the allegations. According to Ms Alexander and Ms Willey, the man and woman said ‘they didn’t want it shoved in their faces’.
Ms Alexander continued: ‘They admitted to saying those hateful things and then were homophobic in front of the manager as well.
‘But we were told we would either have to move back to row J or sit in front of this couple and feel uncomfortable.
‘We felt like if we stayed there we couldn’t hold hands or enjoy the show.’
Another couple from across the aisle swapped seats with Ms Alexander and Ms Willey.
At the end of the show, the couple say they raised the homophobia allegations with senior managers at the venue.
A third couple at the theatre offered to exchange seats with Ms Alexander and Ms Willey so they could sit further away from the other people without being forced to move back down the theatre
The couple, pictured, said it should have been the other couple who were forced to move
They claimed they did not receive an apology but were offered a free show and refreshments.
Ms Alexander added: ‘Throughout the show we didn’t feel safe.
‘I sat there for the first half crying and we felt like the couple were watching us.
‘They should have told the homophobic couple that they would have to move or they could leave and receive a refund.
‘When I emailed the management they took no responsibility and told me they were fully committed to the LGBT community. It’s clearly not true.
‘I want them to be held accountable, issue an apology and train their staff better so members of the LGBT community are safe there.’
Tony Doherty, Managing Director of Parkwood Theatres said: ‘We are not aware that Tori Alexander has made any claims that she was harassed by our staff, however there was an incident at The Playhouse in which Tori has alleged that she was harassed by other audience members.
‘Playhouse staff did not witness or hear the incident, which they were alerted to after it had already taken place.
‘Staff had to resolve the issue in an acutely short time period as the curtain was about to go up on that evening’s performance with a full house in attendance.
‘In those circumstances they attempted to the best of their ability to initially defuse the situation by offering alternative seating to all involved.
‘Parkwood Theatres are committed in eliminating inequality and discrimination as well as promoting a diverse and inclusive working environment for all.’
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