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Sharon Legg, a 33-year-old straight married mother, won $12,000 in compensation in a discrimination lawsuit against her former employer, Dreams, a gay nightclub in Bournemouth, England, where she had been head bouncer.
Sharon Legg, a 33-year-old married mother of three, won 6,222 British pounds (over $12,000 U.S.) in compensation in a discrimination lawsuit against her former employer, Dreams, a gay nightclub in Bournemouth, England, where she had been head bouncer, according to British website Times Online.
Legg made the claim of unfair dismissal, using a law created to protect LGBT people from discrimination in the workplace, a law called Employment Equality Regulations 2003.
Legg told Times Online she was "frequently subjected to abuse because she was not a lesbian," was called derogatory names such as "breeder," and faced constant insubordination from fellow bouncers. Legg was fired without warning after a dispute with a colleague, which prompted her to press charges.
Legg said her manager, Scott Rhodes, often said, "Urgh, you're a breeder." Legg thought that had the shoe been on the other foot and she had said to him "Urgh, you're gay," it would not have been tolerated.
Legg also added that she has support from many gays and that she made the complaint for all those facing on-the-job harassment.
While the court did award her damages for enduring harassment due to being straight and for unfair dismissal, it did not find she had been fired for being heterosexual.
The director of the club, Nick King, said he does not tolerate any form of discrimination and is considering appealing the ruling. (The Advocate)
