by Rex Wockner
Gay activists and others protested outside a downtown Louisville McDonald's on Oct. 10 after an employee called a group of gay customers "faggots" and a supervisor said the incident was no "big deal" and refused to refund the customers' money.
"For any business to treat its gay customers this way is beyond the pale," said protester Becca O'Neill from the University of Louisville's Lambda Law Caucus.
The demonstrators carried signs reading, "Discrimination Don't Belong in a Happy Meal," "Homophobia Served Here" and "NOT Lovin' It."
"We have a law against anti-gay discrimination in Louisville, but we want people to know that these incidents still happen and that businesses that take part in this kind of illegal discrimination will be held accountable," said Jeff Rodgers, co-coordinator of the Fairness Campaign.
Ryan Marlatt, Teddy Eggers and three friends had stopped for lunch at the East Market Street McDonald's on July 26. As they waited for their food, an employee referred to them as "faggots" to another employee. Marlatt and Eggers asked to speak with a manager, who then refused to refund the group's purchase.
Marlatt said he attempted several times in the following weeks to contact the general manager of the restaurant and the corporate offices, but got no response.
The group seeks an apology, a refund of $28 and disciplinary action against the employees involved.
