A pizzeria employee in Ohio told a gay couple they would be thrown out of the restaurant if they continued to kiss or hold hands.
Bobby Slavens and Luke Munz were entering Goodfella’s pizzeria in Cincinnati’s Over-the-Rhine neighbourhood when they were approached by a bouncer.
“We were just holding hands. We didn’t think anything about it, then we gave a little kiss on the lips, a discreet peck,” Slavens told . “As we did so, the bouncer came to us and said, ‘Hey, you guys need to stop that or you are going to get kicked out.’ We were dumbfounded.”
The couple entered the pizzeria but soon made the decision to leave.
“We have seen people in Goodfellas or any other establishment, great couples that were holding hands or kissing, and nothing was said to them. So we left" said Slavens.
As they turned to exit, they heard the bouncer say, “You better get used to this, this is Trump’s America.”
Goodfellas Pizza has since posted a response on their Facebook page, condemning the actions of their employee.
The couple are regular patrons at the pizzeria and have previously had no issues with employees. Source: Facebook
“After investigating the discrimination that took place at our establishment the other night we feel it pertinent to inform you that Goodfellas Pizzeria as made the decision to terminate the employee in question.
The actions displayed by this now former employee are in no way a representation of how the Goodfellas team feels towards the LGBTQ citizenry.”
The couple has been in contact with the owners of Goodfella's and say they do not believe the pizzeria should be boycotted.
"Luke and I greatly appreciate the company’s zero-tolerance towards hateful behaviour and discrimination, and their desire to promote a welcoming atmosphere for all guests," Slavens wrote on Facebook.
