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Gay skaters sue Berkeley rink for discrimination
AP ^
| 5/5/6
Posted on 05/05/2006 4:28:04 PM PDT by SmithL
BERKELEY, Calif. - Two gay figure skaters sued the Berkeley ice rink for discrimination after twice being told to stop holding hands while skating.
Alan Lessik and John Manzon-Santosin sued in Alameda County Superior Court last month accusing the manager of Berkeley Iceland of unlawful and discriminatory business practices by denying them their right to skate as a pair.
The manager, Monte Tiedemann, twice told the pair to stop holding hands during their preparations for Gay Games VII at the Berkeley arena. The pair, who met at the Sydney Gay Games in 2002, said they have not encountered similar admonitions at two other Bay Area ice rinks.
"We were publicly humiliated by having this happen to us, and we feel absolutely clear that Monte has a problem with gay skaters," Lessik said.
Iceland's management said the pair were barred from holding hands for safety reasons.
"There is no homophobia going on at Berkeley Iceland," company official Jay Westcott said. "It's even a little bit insulting because we've had people of various sexual orientations who have worked for us, coached for us and skated for us."
The lawsuit demands an apology and a requirement that the Iceland manager undergo sensitivity training.
The two sides will attempt to settle the dispute Tuesday during a mediation meeting, said attorney Amy Todd, who represents the pair on behalf of the National Center for Lesbian Rights' Homophobia in Sports Project.
TOPICS: Culture/Society; Government; News/Current Events; US: California
KEYWORDS: barf; beserkely; deviants; gayblades; homosexualagdena; homosexualagenda; iceskating; perverts; sickos; yuck
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I think they're the ones on thin ice.
1
posted on
05/05/2006 4:28:07 PM PDT
by
SmithL
Comment #2 Removed by Moderator
To: SmithL
They can't hold hands, but what about a crotch lift?
3
posted on
05/05/2006 4:31:54 PM PDT
by
Alouette
(Psalms of the Day: 39-43)
To: SmithL
Gay male skaters......
I've never heard of such nonsense.
4
posted on
05/05/2006 4:32:43 PM PDT
by
edpc
To: SmithL
Two gay figure skaters Isn't that a little redundant?
5
posted on
05/05/2006 4:32:49 PM PDT
by
neodad
(USS Vincennes (CG-49) Freedom's Fortress)
To: SmithL
"Gay male figure skaters" is multiply redundant.
6
posted on
05/05/2006 4:33:30 PM PDT
by
RichInOC
(I always thought male figure skaters were medium-weight in the loafers at best. Didn't you?)
To: SmithL
Yup. All male Figure Skaters are gay. Have told my wife this a number of times. She doesn't believe me. She is a big fan of Figure Skating.
7
posted on
05/05/2006 4:33:35 PM PDT
by
dhs12345
To: SmithL
Iceland's management said the pair were barred from holding hands for safety reasons. The safety issues are not clear to me, but if they do not let anyone hold hands, then it is not discrimination.
8
posted on
05/05/2006 4:34:09 PM PDT
by
Michael.SF.
("Cynicism, is an unpleasant way of telling the truth" -- Lillian Hellman)
To: SmithL
Flamers on ice or just gay blades?
9
posted on
05/05/2006 4:34:28 PM PDT
by
Mr. Jazzy
(VPD of LCpl Smoothguy242, USMC, somewhere in Afghanistan's Kunar Province.)
To: SmithL
I'm SHOCKED! Shocked I tell ya!!!
To: SmithL
Alan Lessik and John Manzon-Santosin
Bet one of them is only 12 years old too.
To: SmithL
It's cold in the rink. They should just go home, relax, and share a nice bowl of soup.
12
posted on
05/05/2006 4:36:26 PM PDT
by
edpc
To: socal_parrot
LOL.
Hey, tooty-fruity-Rudy.
My wife is a fan and insists that I be in the same room while she is watching the competitions. Makes it easier for me to come up with nick names.
Then there is Brian Girl-tano.
13
posted on
05/05/2006 4:36:40 PM PDT
by
dhs12345
To: Alouette
They can't hold hands, but what about a crotch lift? I can see why she would be smiling, but trying that on a guy would have to really hurt.
14
posted on
05/05/2006 4:38:10 PM PDT
by
Michael.SF.
("Cynicism, is an unpleasant way of telling the truth" -- Lillian Hellman)
To: Michael.SF.
trying that on a guy would have to really hurt. Well, they are skating pairs, so one of them has to be the liftee.
15
posted on
05/05/2006 4:40:18 PM PDT
by
Alouette
(Psalms of the Day: 39-43)
To: SmithL
I always look forward to The Gay Games. The Fisting Competition can't be beat. Ben Dover is competing this year.
16
posted on
05/05/2006 4:40:24 PM PDT
by
Free ThinkerNY
((((Truth to a Liberal, is like a crucifix to a vampire))))
To: SmithL
I'd think straight skaters could sue for minority discrimination if any one could.
17
posted on
05/05/2006 4:40:34 PM PDT
by
llevrok
(sui generis)
To: SmithL
BERKELEY?... The Commie heaven?.. Pulleeese..
Moonbat Central is indeed filled with guano..
18
posted on
05/05/2006 4:41:05 PM PDT
by
hosepipe
(This Propaganda has been edited to include not a small amount of Hyperbole..)
To: SmithL
National Center for Lesbian Rights' Homophobia in Sports Project Ah ha but was it The "Disabled Hispanic Illegal Alien Center for Lesbian Rights Homophobia in Sports and Immigrant Midnight Border Crossings" chapter...that complained?
Get them to file and we can get some federal action on this pressing problem...stat!
To: SmithL
This from California and Berkeley no less.
20
posted on
05/05/2006 4:44:28 PM PDT
by
mtbopfuyn
(I think the border is kind of an artificial barrier - San Antonio councilwoman Patti Radle)
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