A gay couple in Texas were left “shocked” and “embarrassed” after they were told to leave a pubic swimming pool for kissing.
Brandon Roper and Giuseppe Cellura claim they gave each other a “peck” on the lips while at the Tehama Ridge Pool last week. Moments later, a lifeguard approached them.
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“You can’t do that!” she scolded. “I’m calling the management!”
The pool manager, who also happened to be the lifeguard’s older brother, asked the couple a few questions about what happened. When they told him, he replied by saying that public displays of affection were strictly forbidden.
“Is there a rule about PDA?” Roper replied. “Or is it just because we’re gay?”
Roper then went to check the official rule board posting at the pool’s entrance to find no mention of PDA anywhere.
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In a statement, Bearfoot Management, who manage Tehama Ridge Pool, said the lifeguard who initially scolded the men has been fired.
“Our company’s policies are to ensure a family friendly environment at each pool we manage,” the statement said. “Our expectation is to enforce this practice without discrimination of any sort.”
Watch it all unfold in the video below…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PULrFraYJcQ
h/t: GayStarNews
Cam
Why hasn’t the pool manager who backed up the lifeguard been fired?
Eddie Nickell
I dont want to watch anyone kissing in a pool.. get a room gay or straight
Bradley Phillip
PDA attention seekers
Lewis Kinslayer
Disgusting.
Michael Miller
I can understand being upset but the couple were so loud and obnoxious to these kids who may have made a mistake, I couldn’t finish watching it. I understand the couples point but it could have been handled better I thought.
Hank Trout
You’ve got the evidence — take it to the ACLU and sue the owners and managers of the pool until their asses bleed rainbows.
The only way to end bigotry in this country is MAKE IT EXPENSIVE TO BE A BIGOT!
Andrew Crump
Wow I mean it’s a kiss not mounting each other and that couple is rude ass hell but that girl really tho u have to call ur manager to see if it’s ok if a gay couple kisses I mean come on this is all kinda of dumb and I only watched like the first lil bit
jwtraveler
There are no laws protecting civil rights for gay people in Texas. The lifeguards and manager did nothing illegal. The recent Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage guarantees that gay couples have the right to get married, but not the right to kiss your spouse in public.
David Bartlett
the gay guy is reeeeaaally over the top with his histrionics.
Jim DelRae
Unfortunately young gay men do not know what It was like 20 years ago when you got your ass kicked just for being rumored gay..
We’ve come along way, however there’s a time and place for everything, use common sense folks…
Auxifur Wolfgram
Really now?…. I kiss my bf in public and dare someone to say something..
Brock Thoroughman
Boys kiss boys that are both straight in other countries to say hello and goodbye. America is the home of the “free” right?
AtticusBennett
what sad comments from some [email protected] men in here. do you boys have capers for testes?
this is not news – LGBT couples aren’t allowed the same kind of PDA that straight couples are. time and time again, we get mistreated for doing what straight people do every day, without even thinking about it, and without any consequence.
LGBT PDA is indeed still a socially subversive act. and you cowards blaming the gay couple..well… i pity you. what shameful excuses for men you are. and it’s rather clear nobody would want to kiss you in public. yeeeesh.
Hector Pagan
Yes it was kiss but come it’s not like they were making out it probably was even a peck on the cheek so not a big deal gosh!!
Glenn Beverly Bennett Jr.
Everything about this is stupid.
Kevin J Desmond
The lifeguard manager said something minutes after what the straight couple was doing after it was pointed out to him while on video. The 19 year old sister was WRONG by what she said and did … it was discrimination plain and simple. There was NOTHING in the rules listed on the wall about PDAs which means there is NO rule against it. The girl as I understand was fired which she should have been as well as her brother because he also violated the couples rights.
Robert Casey
Drama queens
Drew Surratt
This is just absurd …. Apparently there is still a very long road towards ending homophobia
Ron Dixon
I smell a lawsuit! Ya can’t just do that anymore!
Korree Johnson
Hopefully they were both fired
Robert Hillyer
Of course, they’re adorable…..
http://logoonline.mtvnimages.com/uri/mgid:file:http:shared:newnownext.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/gay-couple-at-the-pool.png?quality=0.8&format=jpg&width=980
Gil Miller
Typical Texas need I say more!
MacAdvisor
Why does ANYONE, let alone someone gay, live in Texas? The weather sucks, the people are conservative religious nut jobs, and it is filled with guys who think truck tire size is a substitute for manhood. Just move, people.
Robert Cuthbertson
Hatred is learned so well. No, homosexuality is NOT contagious!!! No, it is not spread in the water of the pool. Yes, hate is learned and ignorance is a choice.
Get over it…if you want to block kissing make damn sure you stop the breeders from kissing as well.
James
@Eddie Nickell: What an uptight troll you are, I doubt anyone wants to kiss you anyway. Jealous much.
Jeffrey Jeannotte
Is that all. They act like it was a black man and a white woman or something.
Harold Powell
This would never happen to a straight couple.
Roy Lewis
We have came a long way. I love it that they called the girl out about it. She deserved to be fired along with her brother. We don’t need to pick up our skirts and run and hide anymore. I hope they do sue and get a lot of money from this. We need to have a demonstration at this pool.
BigG
Good for management firing that bigot. Gays aren’t taking this bs anymore.
Spencer Reed
The fact that the rules didn’t have “No PDA” posted anywhere on the sign and they called a manager because they had “a little peck” sounds like there’s some type of “-phobic” issue going on. Whether it’s homophobia or not isn’t the point – the point is they got in trouble for something that isn’t in the rules. It’s discrimination, regardless.
jamesthomas
I think the big brother/Mgr. is gay and would love to make it with the kissing boys,but it also seems that the issue was resolved with the company terminating the bigot little sister. Otherwise I’d say every gay and lesbian have a kiss in at the pool.
Seriously though, this is the only way that complete individual rights of everybody, irregardless of their difference, is confronted and dealt with at the time of the issue. We are ALL human but we are all different and we all have the same rights of each other as long as we stay within the law and common sense.
jamesthomas
I think the big brother/Mgr. is gay and would love to make it with the kissing boys,but it also seems that the issue was resolved with the company terminating the bigot little sister. Otherwise I’d say every gay and lesbian have a kiss in at the pool.
Seriously though, this is the only way that complete individual rights of everybody, irregardless of their difference, is confronted and dealt with at the time of the issue. We are ALL human but we are all different and we all have the same rights of each other as long as we stay within the law and common sense.
Alan David
Thats Texas
Glücklich
@MacAdvisor:
Parts of Austin and Houston are really quite nice. I enjoy visiting. But you’re right about the weather.
David Richard Hammill
Ridiculous nothing wrong with that as long as they weren’t doing anything sexual
Manny Yoko
A KISS IS JUST A KISS ð???
Robert Becker
They kicked them out for kissing?
Do they kick people out of the pool for Pissing in in the water?… which is a real danger?
Tony Chaplinski
a little common sense about children would go a long way. gay or straight—get a room
Larry Scott
Bob Ashworth
A little peck on the cheek is fine for any couple at a public pool. Hate to be watching full on make out sessions though. These guys were fine.
Roberson Randy
They should have known better Texas is still a slow state, same as with slavery.
Robert Walsh
Much ado about nothing. She was a naive 19 year old. Didn’t come off as a homophobe nor did her brother-supervisor. They were being baited. Sorry but a calm conversation and pointing out the inconsistency of the unwritten “policy” would have been enough. She should have been reprimanded by the pool managers but not fired. I think the reaction of the “offended” party would have been justified if the supposed bigots reacted in the manner that bigots do. Those two young people remained calm and seemingly respectful throughout. I think they tried to handle (as best as they could) a matter that was clearly over their heads and beyond their authority. They seemed reasonable throughout despite the over the top hostility being thrown at them. Sometimes ill-informed behaviour (by young people especially) is just that; it is not always homophobic.
Jason Durant
Reid Kendall
Philipe Parker
this is crazy, that girl can’t explain herself. i would be furious too.
David Joiner
I tolerate public displays of affection, gay, straight or otherwise. I’m not offended by it, however, I don’t see any reason for it. Does that make sense?
Brian JC Kneeland
Marriage equality is not protections!
Daniel Luis Ortiz
In principal the couple did nothing wrong except how they handled it… To tell the lifeguards that they were going to sue them was just as immature as being told they couldn’t kiss…
davecanada
The brother is really cute.. totally doable…lol
Auxifur Wolfgram
Despite that, nobody has the right to tell anyone what they can and can’t do. If they want to express their love in public, then let them do it. And don’t bring kids into it, because they’re gonna be exposed more into it later on in life.
Greg Morrison
Horrible
Lvng1Tor
AMAZED at all the gay guys on this feed saying that their kiss was inappropriate. Or that back in my day we would’ve gotten our a@@ kicked….like they should be lucky that they only got admonished for something innocent…Yes I’m in my 40’s I remember back in the day…It’s why we fought and continue fighting so this doesn’t happen. Shame on each one of you.
Our kissing is no different than an opposite sex kiss and should never be treated differently..END OF STORY regardless of how the young men handled it they shouldn’t have been put in that situation in the first place.
DimAsAnEmber
@AtticusBennett: I don’t think it was handled very well on either side of the situation. The only person I came from that video holding no level of contempt for was the man’s boyfriend. Being unnecessarily dramatic and threatening those employees was stupid of the guy and her mother, even though that girl was discriminatory. It was very obvious that she was selective in singling out these two, and told them off. Her brother wasn’t very smart either, but it at least seemed he was trying to be neutral. I liked the man’s boyfriend, he was trying to be calm and explain the situation objectively. And what was really stupid was demanding an apology. Put someone on the defensive by berating them, then tell them to say they’re sorry? No, thank you.
Frank Sokolowski
I would have called the police and not leave.
Jimmy Cast
Why even have a conversation with these idiots , you tell me to stop kissing my bf and I’ll do it again and dare you or anyone else to do something about it.. But I’m not for a full make out session , a peck or a 3 second kiss is fine lol
Stephen Mervine
Not surprising this occurred in Texas. Bigoted rednecks
Musk
Would someone please explain to me why this story was worth telling?
aliengod
The situation could have been handled better by the gay guy and his mom. The girl and her brother were calm and didn’t seem to be trying to kick them out. The cameraman acted like a complete drama queen and escalated the situation way beyond what it needed to be. This certainly doesn’t seem like a case the ACLU should have any interest in. And they’d be wasting their time to bring a lawsuit. The girl was fired. Move on.
Dylan Loveland
Idiots kids see kissing everywhere TV, there parents anyone there smart and so what for you stupid ones for saying that ppl need to get a room shut up really if anyone kisses in public and you don’t like it then don’t look plain an simple
Terry Barton
I bet dollars to donuts that the management are rightwinger fundamentalist Christians because this is exactly how they roll.
Maria A. Moffa
Our HOA has 3 pools. One is the designated “adult” pool. I’ve seen things going on in there that NO ONE should see in public. It’s a freaking sewer
Patrick Shepherd
People need to get a grip . .
BlogShag
Southern white trash. There’s a lot of things you can’t do down there.
Louis
Once again I notice some here who know full good and well what discrimination persecution and intolerance feels like mocking and pointing the finger at these men for reacting.
When someone is intentionally singled out publicly they have every right to be angry or feel offended.
Please someone do tell me where this has happened to a straight couple showing love and affection to one another in public?
Supply me the evidence if you possibly can find any …which you won’t be able to I assure you.
There is nothing wrong with 2 people showing normal love and affection whether they be straight or gay or lesbian or bisexual or transgender period.
Where do these repressive attitudes regarding showing love come from within this community to begin with ?
How exactly are these attitudes any different then how heterosexuals react to seeing 2 gay Americans kissing one another.
The sad thing is there is no difference the attitudes are the same attitudes of righteous moral superiority the only difference is it happens to be gay Americans espousing those same unkind and judgmental attitudes…towards people within their own community.
Mocking this couple for how they reacted instead of focusing on the fact that stuff like this still happens is a waste of time.
They have every right to be angry being singled out and persecuted for who you are and who you love tends to do that to a person.
Smh such a disappointment to see these kinds of attitudes and bullying behavior.
Just when I believe we have learned finally how to treat one another once again this is proven untrue.
Louis
@Lvng1Tor: Bravo loved what you said especially the passion behind it.
Louis
@Tony Chaplinski: Learning that there is not one specific love in this world is a good lesson that children should learn.
The earlier they learn and are educated the better chance of these children growing up to be compassionate loving and caring members of the human race.
No one should have to repress their feelings for one another simply to satisfy the fact that it may bother you.
No one is forcing you to watch you have the choice just as anyone else does to keep walking or just don’t look if you find it unacceptable.
That attitude though once again is absolutely no different then how most heterosexuals look at our love and affection for one another.
Matt_R
From what I could find online, the Tehama Ridge Pool is in Fort Worth, and the city’s nondiscrimination ordinance includes sexual orientation as well as gender identity and expression. Sexual orientation was added in 2000. If the pool is within Forth Worth’s jurisdiction, this couple may have a strong case. After all, they have recorded evidence.
Kudos to Mom for standing up for her son and his fiance.
Finrod
@Louis: Sadly, many of the commenters here would have furiously denounced the Stonewall rioters and pretty much everyone else who’s every loudly stood up for their rights. They’re perfectly happy to take the benefits that other, braver, people have won while denouncing them for the very behaviors that made their lives more livable.
TheNewEnergyDude
good for him for not backing down!
“not at this point”? what a bitch she is
NoCagada
@AtticusBennett: “do you boys have capers for testes?”
Best laugh I’ve had all day!
NoCagada
@BlogShag: But you can cornhole your own offspring or the pigs and goats on the farm
youarekiddingme
@Louis: Totally agree and very well stated. The brother/manager I think tried to remain neutral. I think he was trying to back up his sister instead of just saying, “Hey, everything is ok. You did nothing wrong. Sorry for the inconvenience and embarrassment. She’s new. Try to have a good rest of the day with my apology…”. An apology would have probably avoided this whole mess! That little [email protected] biggot was the one who really need to say she was sorry…
I think it is quite obvious that the 19 year old girl is definitely “anti-gay” (at the very least) by the immediate action that she took at warning the two gay men (and not the straight couple) about their “inappropriate” behavior.
Btw, regardless of how this “could” have been handled, the little 19 year old girl needed to be FIRED! She is a serious HOMOPHOBE!
Large Marge
This was private property. While I hate what they did, it is not illegal. They can enforce unpublished policies at their discretion.
The complaintant has no case at all. But the pool is still dickish.
martinbakman
A peck on the cheek?
This is what you do when young and in love.
Texas is a sh!t hole anyway, not really like anywhere else in the States.
musickid200
@Cam: I know, right? I just can’t stand watching other people be happy or in love. Makes me sick…
musickid200
@martinbakman : I agree
Advincula Arnold
ð??â¤ï¸
SonOfKings
This is why we need to maintain and support our gay owned and operated businesses. We are not always welcome.
Rich Hartley
anything to keep people riled up.
RobvR
Always funny. When someone’s head blown off it’s no problem to let children see it in a movie. Children are taken to wrestling games and learn to shoot. But a pda???!!! They might get scarred for live! Americans and sex….
Louis
@Finrod: I agree completely with what you said if it weren’t for the ones who took a public stance and fought back and let their voices be heard we wouldn’t have the rights that we now have.
I will always appreciate the older generation and how much they brought to the LGBT community with their courage strength and bravery.
Its sad some would prefer people just be silent and claim they are making a spectacle of themselves trying to classify them as that TYPE of gay man as I’ve seen many here project that kind of attitude .
Id rather fight for what I believe in then suppress how I feel in order to satisfy what everyone else wants me to think, react, or do personally.
Alex Rothwell
In Texas of all places.
Louis
@youarekiddingme: Ty kindly 🙂
I agree it never would have gotten to this point if she had had the decency to just apologize for how she treated this couple.
Singling them out the way she did was indeed a form of discrimination and intolerance no question.
Dan Steele
Sue them, period.
Realitycheck
Only in Texas !!! Straight people constantly flirt in public, if a gay couple wants to kiss, they should be allowed to, and F-ck the children, by the way kids are fine with it, homophobic parents are not!
We need more and more display of affection in public until bigots finally get it!!!
ShaunNJ
Ultimately, the gay couple is right. They clearly pointed out the discrimination, indicating a straight couple not being reprimanded (made better the straight couple were their own relatives). I think the histrionics were a bit over the top – when a good argument is made in a combative manner your message gets lost. It’s true, in Texas of all places, there are no protections. Instances like this demonstrate why they’re needed especially when there are double standards. The idiot lifeguard’s brother is very cute; I think he wouldn’t care except he has to support his sister/employee.
Cam
I love all the people coming in here trying to blame the victims. Typical right wing southern B.S. They will usually pull out lines like “Well if they weren’t trying to just get attention for themselves……” or something along those lines.
Hey trolls, bigotry is bigotry, and all of your right wing troll excuses are meaningless.
Another favorite is the whole “Well this was on private property” oh really? Because they had a public license, so I guess that little excuse is still just as fake as when you tried to apply it to the cake makers.
The lifeguard and the manager were bigots, and broke the law of their city. The only problem is that only the lifeguard was fired and not the manager. He backed her up, so why is he still working there?
Louis
@Large Marge: No they cannot nowhere in the job description does it give these people the right to persecute and discriminate against people.
Most people would be immediately fired for acting in such an uncouth rude and unprofessional manner such as this girl did towards this couple.
lcandela123
@Eddie Nickell: irrelevant and boring.
lcandela123
@Michael Miller: agree. Enough already with the outrage.
adrianjurado310
public acts of sex are still hot enough topic to be confronted by sexurity. if the sexyooritys don’t like what u be doin they can tell you to stop because their is a behavior code. its not on the side cuz you two be up in there like a controlled substance….like to fags walk into a mother beepin pool erryday and start doin the dirty in front of all them boran ass people…its just not normal …not yet…not really.
whirlaround
(1) This is a ridiculous amount of outrage. (2) Be the better person. (3) Pointing is rude. (4) Why is this a thing?
dotmacis
@Lewis Kinslayer: Yes, homophobia’s extremely disgusting. Thanks for stopping by.
dotmacis
@Tony Chaplinski: Oh, rubbish. There’s nothing wrong with a quick peck on the cheek in public!!