Gay couple ‘refused entry to Wetherspoon’s over sexuality’

A gay couple were recently refused entry to a Wetherspoon’s pub in Manchester city centre.

Joshua Fox and his boyfriend were about to enter The Moon Under Water when a member of the pub’s security staff allegedly told them that it was “mixed couples only”.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “The doorman stopped us to check our ID, then said “mixed couples only tonight” and refused to let us in. It was quite shocking really. I was staying in a flat near the pub and go in there all the time. I’m surprised they didn’t recognise me to be honest.

“After sensing our refusal to simply accept this discrimination and leave, another member of the door staff then stepped in and ushered the refusing security aside to allow us to enter – but the damage had already been done.”

However, Wetherspoon’s has denied that the decision was discriminatory, saying that occasionally “parties of a single sex may be refused entry in order to maintain a balanced and pleasant environment for all customers”.

In their apology to Fox, they added: “This is based on some experiences in which the atmosphere in our pubs has been spoiled due to an unbalanced ratio between men and women.

“I appreciate that you feel that this action was unjust and please accept our apologies for any inconvenience that this caused you.”

Eddie Gershon, a spokesman for the restauant chain, said that the incident has been investigated but that door staff are “adamant” that no reference was made to only accepting mixed sex couples.

“We appreciate that this was an upsetting situation for the man involved, however, we reiterate that there was no discrimination towards him. We see from his blog that he was a fan of Wetherspoon pubs and hope that he will return to the pub in due course,” he concluded.

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