Two women say they were the victims of discrimination after they were asked to leave St. Louis' Four Seasons Hotel for kissing.
The lesbian couple tells News Channel 5, they were trying to enjoy a day by the rooftop pool at the Four Seasons, when they say they were harassed for openly displaying affection. The hotel tells News Channel 5, it wasn't that simple.
"When we got into the Jacuzzi, and we were sitting close to one another and we were kissing that a member of security came over to us," said Teresa Folds.
Folds says the hotel security officer told her and her girlfriend, Juleigh Snell, they weren't allowed to kiss on the hotel property. They asked to speak with a manager.
"He said that they didn't even allow heterosexual couples to kiss on their property," said Folds.
"When we were explaining how gay people have rights, he basically insinuated that we were not a normal couple and should not be kissing," said Snell.
Folds and Snell say the manager stated the couple was acting inappropriately and that the hotel had received complaints.
"They have yet to tell us what that inappropriate activity is. Other than the kissing, that's all they can say because that's all we were doing," said Folds.
The couple says they were left alone, and they continued to kiss. They were approached again.
"Told us that they wanted us to leave, and I mentioned that the pool didn't close until 8:00," said Folds.
Folds and Snell say when 8 p.m. rolled around, they were approached by a security guard who showed them the door.
"I was disheartened by the whole experience," said Snell.
"It was very much understood that they were kicking us out," said Folds.
News Channel 5 reached out to the Four Seasons about the incident.
General Manager Alper Oztok sent this statement to News Channel 5:
"Four Seasons respects the behaviors of our guests, except where doing so may be a breach of law or create tensions among people. This was the case on the night in question, as our staff received several complaints about the guest's behavior. I can assure you that the gender of the couple was never at issue."
The couple says they've reached out to Gay Pride St. Louis and the Human Rights Campaign to make them aware of this incident.
They say all they want is an apology, and for the hotel to be clear about its kissing policy.
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