LESBIAN couple Michelle Giddins and Gemma Lloyd were left feeling angry and discriminated against when they were made to prove they were a family at a bowling alley.
The 28-year-olds, who live in Summerhouse Drive, Swanley, were looking forward to a family night of bowling with their children Matthew, five, and Joshua, six, at Superbowl in Orpington.
But when they got to the counter and asked for a family ticket Miss Giddins claims she was told a family ticket is for a husband and wife and two children.
The shop assistant told News Shopper: “We had to prove we were a family so I showed the manager a picture of us which I had in my purse of us all together.
“Gemma and I are getting married next year, how can I prove we’re a family?”
Do you think Michelle and Gemma were treated unfairly?
Reporter NANCY CAMPOPIANO asked shoppers in Petts Wood what they thought.
Gloria Rowe, 24, of Southborough Lane in Petts Wood, said: “I think it’s really unfair. Anyone is family, it doesn’t matter who is in it. If your parents die it could be your grandparents so I think it’s really rude and horrible for the kids. It’s ridiculous it doesn’t mean anything - just because their views conflict why should they be treated any differently?”
John Spilling, 29, of Lockesley Drive in Orpington, said: “It’s wrong to make assumptions just because there were two ladies. Traditions stopped in the 70s. There is no such thing as traditional now. I grew up in a single parent family - me and my mum that was our family. It could have been anyone, a sister or an aunt.”
Lesley Matthews, 57, of Farrington Avenue in Petts Wood, said: “How can you tell? Two ladies could go along with their children and say they were a same sex family and could get the discount. I’m still the generation that find it hard to understand same sex couples but as long as children have a loving home that is the most important thing.”
Virginia Lewis, 51, of Carisbrooke Road in Bromley, said: “They are a family of four people and it is an offer for four people. It doesn’t matter if you’re in a relationship with a woman, a man or taking your friend. I think it’s disgusting really, its discrimination I think that’s bad.”
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