Have you been following the story about Kenyata White and Aeimee Diaz, the lesbian couple asked to leave District American Kitchen after another table of men complained about their distaste for the female pair's public displays of affection? We have, too, and have since reached out to both the couple and the restaurant.
We're still hoping to hear back from the couple, but the restaurant did respond.
Channel 3 interviewed the ladies today and they also demonstrated their actions Sunday as well as the restaurant's reaction. You can watch the interview here.
Katie Brashear of the Sheraton sent us this (long) response on Tuesday:
We want you to know that at District American Kitchen & Wine Bar, we embrace diversity and are proud supporters of the LGBT community. We are taking this incident very seriously. We have cultivated strong relationships with organizations dedicated to diversity. We have supported and we will continue to support many events that are specific to gay, lesbian and allied individuals. Additionally, we take pride in having a very diverse workplace - a workplace that offers benefits for domestic partners. Our restaurant is open for all to enjoy and we sincerely regret that this incident took place.
While this issue was posted on various social media channels for public to read, we will still respect the privacy of this situation, as we would respect the privacy of any guest who came to our location.
I also want you to know that after long hours yesterday, we were finally able to obtain the couple's contact information. Our general manager, Leo Percopo, is in the process of reaching out to the couple. It is important that we connect with the couple to understand their story and hear from them. Azcentral.com has since reported that the hotel did indeed meet with the couple yesterday.
Equality Arizona, the civil rights organization who supports the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) community is mediating the situation. They posted on their Facebook page on Monday: "Our Executive Director Nick Ray spent time yesterday helping a discriminated-against lesbian couple whose anniversary celebration was spoiled when they were asked to leave a restaurant for kissing. Many of you have probably heard about it by now or read the many postings on Facebook. We will continue to monitor developments and to update the community regularly, but in the meantime this is precisely the kind of work that needs doing in Arizonan and we're the only organization whose mission it is to secure, protect and defend the rights of LGBT Arizonans throughout this great state."
If we hear from White, we'll let you know.
Many social media commenters in support of the couple have shared intentions to boycott the restaurant. Do you think that's the right thing to do? Or is it unfair to punish the restaurant for the actions of one who clearly needs some diversity training? What are your thoughts?
