Students from Brighton’s two Universities are organising a ‘Big Consensual Kiss In’ at Sainsbury’s supermarket in New England Street, Brighton, at 6 p.m. today, October 15.
THE ACTION comes after Annabelle Paige, an English Literature student at Sussex University, was asked to stop kissing her girlfriend or leave the store by a lesbian security guard who claims a customer had complained their actions were “disgusting” and that she was “concerned” about her child’s safety. The incident happened on Saturday, October 11, National Coming Out Day.
Sainbury’s moved quickly to dampen the story, issued an apology, said the incident “should never have happened” and offered to pay £100 to a charity of Annabelle’s choice.
Protesters are complaining that, considering that Sainsbury’s profits to March this year were £898 million, this is an “inadequate response”. The Students’ Union is calling on the supermarket giant to ensure all its staff have mandatory training on equality and diversity issues.
The Kiss In is being organised by Students’ Union Communications Officer Michael Segalov and will be hosted by local performance artist, Lydia L’Scabies and NUS LGBT Women’s Officer, Fran Cowling.
A spokesperson for the students added: “The Students’ Union will be stewarding the event, and we wish to remind everyone that all kissing must be consensual.
“You are of course welcome to attend and not kiss if you so wish.”
A spokesperson for Sainsbury’s added: “We have always welcomed everyone into our stores and will do so as usual on Wednesday.”
Sainsbury’s was the only one of the big four supermarkets located on St James’ Street in the gay village not to make a financial contribution to Brighton Pride this year. Tesco, Morrisons and the Co-op each donated £1,000 toward the cost of staging the Pride Village Party.
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