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Hundreds in London 'kissathon' for Sainsbury's complaint gay couple | Hundreds in London 'kissathon' for Sainsbury's complaint gay couple |
(about 1 hour later) | |
About 200 people carrying rainbow flags descended on an east London supermarket for a mass "kissathon" after a gay couple were ejected for holding hands. | About 200 people carrying rainbow flags descended on an east London supermarket for a mass "kissathon" after a gay couple were ejected for holding hands. |
Thomas Rees, 32, and Joshua Bradwell, 25, were in Sainsbury's on Hackney Road when a guard told them a woman had complained about their behaviour. | Thomas Rees, 32, and Joshua Bradwell, 25, were in Sainsbury's on Hackney Road when a guard told them a woman had complained about their behaviour. |
The protestors danced outside the Hackney Road store on Saturday night before kissing in the aisles. | The protestors danced outside the Hackney Road store on Saturday night before kissing in the aisles. |
Sainsbury's apologised for the incident and offered the couple a £10 voucher. | Sainsbury's apologised for the incident and offered the couple a £10 voucher. |
Mr Rees said he had been holding Mr Bradwell's hand and may have put an arm around his partner's waist as they were buying food on Monday evening. | Mr Rees said he had been holding Mr Bradwell's hand and may have put an arm around his partner's waist as they were buying food on Monday evening. |
But after they paid, a security guard beckoned them outside to tell them about the complaint. | |
Mr Rees said it "knocked me for six" and left him "analysing how I'm perceived", but since the incident they had received messages of support from around the world. | Mr Rees said it "knocked me for six" and left him "analysing how I'm perceived", but since the incident they had received messages of support from around the world. |
Mr Bradwell said the number of people who turned out to support them was "absolutely insane". | Mr Bradwell said the number of people who turned out to support them was "absolutely insane". |
During the event one person was heard to shout at the group to "get off my street", but the protesters carried on undeterred. | During the event one person was heard to shout at the group to "get off my street", but the protesters carried on undeterred. |
A spokesperson for Sainsbury's, which provided biscuits and water for the protesters, said: "It's been a really great event and an important opportunity for the community to show their support. | |
"We do our best to make sure everyone feels welcome in our stores but occasionally we make mistakes. We are working hard to make sure lessons are learnt." | |
The supermarket said it was conducting an investigation into the incident. | |
Two years ago, a "big kiss" protest was held at a Sainsbury's store in Brighton after a lesbian couple were asked to leave when one gave her partner a kiss on the cheek. | Two years ago, a "big kiss" protest was held at a Sainsbury's store in Brighton after a lesbian couple were asked to leave when one gave her partner a kiss on the cheek. |