Three Jackson-area residents were subjected to a homophobic slur and refused service at the West Avenue McDonald's Saturday.
Andrew Munroe, 25, Charles Kilgore, 23, and Amanda Versluys stopped at the fast food location, 1105 N. West Ave., after moving some of Munroe's things to his new home, Munroe said. But a request to make sure there was not a food error turned into a confrontation with a woman who identified as the location's manager.
Here's how Munroe explained the situation in Facebook post accompanying the video:
"We pulled up and started the order. Andrew asked for 2 Sausage McMuffin(s) with Cheese and also requested to make sure they did not put egg on it (as multiple past visits the egg was added on it) whoever was taking the order came back rudely and said, 'That's why it's a sausage and cheese McMuffin." Andrew responds with, "Well I just wanted to verify as past visits it ends up on the sandwich," then with employee responds again with attitude, "It's the sausage and cheese, you're not gonna get an egg do you need anything else(?)" Which we responded with yes the rest of my order … another sandwich and a soda …."
Munroe then went on to write that his group was asked to reorder their meal with another employee, and upon driving to the window they encountered the woman in the video. Munroe said that he asked for the contact information for customer service.
"She became agitated and started her rants, Charles asked if the store manager was they're (sic.), rudely told NO and Charles re(-)asked what manager was on staff and she claimed herself. Started telling her the issue and she goes off and tosses the money back says she is not going to serve us, she did not take our order etc."
The video shows two women in the drive-thru window. The woman Munroe said identified herself as the manager, flings open the drive-thru window, stating, "I did not start it, you can your ass whooped is what the fuck you can get from me today."
Kilgore can be heard asking "You call me a stupid mother fucker? What bitch? That's why I am going to have your job, bitch."
"Get your faggot ass out of my drive-thru," the woman responded.
Munroe is heard saying, "What bitch?" and the video ends abruptly.
He said the store refused to answer any more questions, provide them with their order or even open the windows. At that point, the trio went to another McDonald's location in Jackson to file a complaint.
The manager of the location on Airport Road was "a complete help" Munroe said.
"She got our numbers," he said. "I sent her the video which she then relayed to her district and an area manager. Charles was contacted for a meeting today, and we were told she was to be fired immediately."
The trio will meet with management in Jackson Monday afternoon. The number for the fast food location rang busy when called Monday morning.
Jackson adopted a comprehensive human rights ordinance that prohibits discrimination on the basis of, among other things, sexual orientation and gender identity in Feb. of 2017. Jackson Mayor Derek Dobies was then a city councilman who drove the new ordinance before spearheading his rise to Mayor last November. He was tagged in the video by Munroe, and responded with this message:
"Hi Andrew Bo Monroe, thanks for bringing this to my attention. It's really unfortunate that that happened to you and your friends. I'm glad the individual has been held accountable for treating customers that way. Last year we worked to build a more tolerant, inclusive community that believes diversity is a strength — one that ensures equal rights to the LGBT community in public accommodations like this," he wrote. "If you believe you have been discriminated against and would like to pursue a complaint via our Non-Discrimination Ordinance you are entitled to do so. I will connect you with the HRC who can explain the process. We have a long way to go towards greater tolerance, but we are continuing to work to make this a priority at city hall."
The mayor did not respond to Facebook messages from BTL.
