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Rockies Apologize After Employee Tells Lesbians Not to Kiss

Coors Field
Colorado Rockies

A Rockies employee named Karen told two fans not to kiss on their anniversary because Coors Field is a "family park."

At least one Colorado Rockies employee did her best to stop lesbians from making it on the kiss cam.

The Major League Baseball club apologized after an usher at Coors Field told a couple not to lock lips at a Sunday game, according to The Denver Post. The move comes after fan Jaelyn Coates shared her account on Twitter of being told to keep affection out of the stands.

Coates said an employee named Karen saw her share a smooch with her partner, Jenny, and asked them to stop because Coors Field was "a family park and it's a Sunday."

"To celebrate our anniversary, my partner got us tickets to a Rockies game," Coates wrote. "We go see a baseball game every summer. MINDING OUR OWN BUSINESS, my partner and I were eating a hotdog and having some drinks and chatting. Casually, we kissed each other.

"Suddenly, I was tapped on the shoulder by a woman named KAREN (because of course it was), who lets us know that the park does [not] allow 'strong displays of affection.'"

The incident prompted an argument in the stands, with Coates asking if straight couples would be asked to show the same discretion. Of course, kiss cams are a regular part of Rockies games. Still, Karen told the couple she had discretion to tell couples if affection violated their taste.

Since the Rockies club, like most teams, hosts a Pride night, Coates found it particularly hypocritical to allow ushers this type of discretion.

"Someone's bigoted 'religious beliefs' should not impact a HUMAN'S and PAYING CUSTOMER'S experience. Definitely will reconsider how we spend our money next time," Coates wrote.

Outsports reports asking the team for comment and being pointed to stadium rules stating "guests will refrain from displays of affection not appropriate in a public, family setting."

But Coates's account appeared to garner the attention of the front office. Officials from the Rockies contacted her to assure her that she and her partner were welcome to kiss at Coors Field. Officials also made a personal commitment to conduct better inclusiveness training with employees.

For Coates, that shows progress.

"Jenny and I are both educators, ourselves, and we truly believe real learning is the most important thing to come out of this so that it doesn't happen again.

Advocate Channel - The Pride StoreOut / Advocate Magazine - Fellow Travelers & Jamie Lee Curtis

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