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WATCH: Mall Apologizes for Kicking Out Kissing Gay Couple

WATCH: Mall Apologizes for Kicking Out Kissing Gay Couple

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At a kiss-in demonstration outside the Westfield Galleria Mall in Roseville, Calif., on Saturday, the vice president of development for the mall issued a formal apology.

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Representatives for the Westfield Galleria Mall in Roseville, Calif. formally apologized for a security guard who allegedly ejected a gay couple from the mall after they shared a kiss in public, according to Towleroad. Daniel Chesmore and boyfriend Jose Guzman say that, at most, they shared a kiss on the cheek, a hug, and held hands while at the Westfield Galleria last week. That's when a security guard told them they were violating mall rules regarding public displays of affection.

At a kiss-in protest held outside the mall on Saturday, a gay employee delivered the company's formal apology. Approximately 250 LGBT couples attended the demonstration, reports the Roseville Patch.

"I'm here today to unequivocally state that everyone is welcome here at Westfield," said Keith Kaplan, Westfield's vice president of development. "And we sincerely apologize for any actions taken by any of us that made anyone feel otherwise. I am particularly proud to represent our company at this event. I live in Hollywood with my partner, Mike, of over 20 years."

Kaplan cited LGBT-inclusive policies Westfield, including domestic partnership benefits for its employees. Kaplan also said he was a part of meetings last week between Westfield officials and LGBT organizations, from which he and the company emerged looking forward to "more events and partnerships in the spirit of today."

The mall welcomed the demonstrators with a rainbow arch made of balloons, free water bottles and Mrs. Fields' cookies, according to the Patch. Watch Kaplan address the crowd below.

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Sunnivie Brydum

Sunnivie is the managing editor of The Advocate, and an award-winning journalist whose passion is covering the politics of equality and elevating the unheard stories of our community. Originally from Colorado, she and her spouse now live in Los Angeles, along with their three fur-children: dogs Luna and Cassie Doodle, and "Meow Button" Tilly.
Sunnivie is the managing editor of The Advocate, and an award-winning journalist whose passion is covering the politics of equality and elevating the unheard stories of our community. Originally from Colorado, she and her spouse now live in Los Angeles, along with their three fur-children: dogs Luna and Cassie Doodle, and "Meow Button" Tilly.