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Lesbian kiss couple revoke complaint against bar

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Lesbian kiss couple revoke complaint against bar

3News NZ

Rebekah Galbraith (left) and Jennie Leadbeater have withdrawn their complaint

Rebekah Galbraith (left) and Jennie Leadbeater have withdrawn their complaint

By Jerram Watts

The two lesbians who claim they were kicked out of a Wellington bar for sharing a kiss have today withdrawn their complaint against Public.

Rebekah Galbraith and Jennie Leadbeater were at Public bar early Sunday morning and claim they were asked to leave the bar because they were gay, and shared a kiss at the end of the night.

Watch the story

Extended interview with the pair

Extended interview with the bar manager

The bar refuted the claims, saying the two girls were "acting inappropriately" on a table and were asked to leave by a bouncer.

Public bar management allowed 3 News to view CCTV footage from the evening, although they would not release it because they did not want to damage the womens’ reputation, nor their families.

The footage shows Ms Galbraith and Ms Leadbeater acting inappropriately at the bar and being asked to leave the premises by a bouncer.

The two are seen to be escorted from the bar, some words are exchanged outside before Ms Leadbeater returns to collect her cardigan and meets Ms Galbraith outside, putting her arm around her shoulders.

Public bar owner Gina Mills says she is glad the complaint has been withdrawn and says that "speaks for itself".

"But I am disappointed about what I've had to go through over the last few days and that my stance on any discrimination was questioned," Ms Mills says.

The couple maintain they were not acting inappropriately on the table and deny reacting aggressively to the bouncer's request for them to leave.

The pair have withdrawn their complaint against Public and will not send their letter of complaint to the Human Rights Commission.

3 News

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Comments

24/04/2012 6:24:24 p.m.

James R wrote:

They should apologise to the bar owner and bouncer concerned. Disgraceful. Such unfounded claims broadcast loudly in the media can damage the reputation of businesses who appear to have in fact acted appropriately and fairly.

24/04/2012 6:23:58 p.m.

Melanie Thomas wrote:

The Dominion Post reported that there was no CCTV footage of the pair?

24/04/2012 6:15:56 p.m.

Dee Stamp wrote:

Well done Hilary Barry on the news this evening.
Well said!!! Just Brilliant.
:)