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Two teenagers who say they were thrown out of a Christchurch bar because they were kissing have grounds to complain to the Human Rights Commission, commissioner Warren Lindberg says.
The two 18-year-olds, Lydia Boyd and Steph Hansen, were kissing on the dance floor during a date at the Grumpy Mole Saloon, when they were approached by a bouncer and told to leave, The Press reported today.
"He told us that if we were going to do that we had to 'get the f--- out'," Ms Boyd said.
Ms Boyd said she was certain the man's reaction was because they were women.
"It was completely discriminatory. There's straight couples doing it all the time. They're practically having sex on the dance floor," Ms Boyd said.
The women said they would like to lay a complaint with the manager of Grumpy Mole.
Grumpy Mole outgoing manager, who would identify herself only as Kim said she would "look into" the allegations and declined to comment further.
Mr Lindberg said the couple had grounds to complain if they felt aggrieved.
Section 42 of the Human Rights Act specifies that no-one could be refused access to a public place on the grounds of a discriminatory act -- in this case their sexual orientation.
- NZPA
