Refused pizza for being gay

The nine gay men and transsexuals were half way through their Saturday night out in Blackpool when they asked for a table at the town centre Pizza Hut and were told that restaurant had 'run out of pizza.'

Michael Kemp, 48, who was dressed in women's clothes including a miniskirt told the Daily Mail: "A male member of staff approached us with a big smirk on his face and, when we asked for a table, he told us that the restaurant had run out of pizzas and told us to try somewhere else.

"We couldn't believe it. Who's ever heard of a Pizza Hut running out of pizzas? It was clear they were embarrassed by us, especially because some of us were wearing women's clothing, and didn't want us in the restaurant."

"None of us had been drinking. I suppose we did look a bit odd, but no worse than any of the hen and stag parties that visit Blackpool every weekend.

Now Mr Kemp, Paul Barnabas, 47, and his partner Iain Buck, 38, are claiming up to £3,000 compensation from the worldwide chain, saying they were discriminated against because of their sexuality.

Their brief encounter with Pizza Hut staff came last summer, shortly after it became illegal for shops, bars or restaurants to refuse to serve anyone because of their sexuality.

Their claim, which is being funded by the Equality and Human Rights Commission, is thought to be the first under the legislation.

Mr Kemp added: "We felt humiliated, shocked and down-trodden by being refused a table. I'm not a gay activist, but I believe it is important people aren't discriminated against simply because of their private life.

"If this restaurant had turned away a group of black men, there would have been an outcry."

A spokesperson for Pizza Hut commented: "We find discrimination of any kind completely unacceptable and are taking this allegation extremely seriously.

"Unfortunately, we are unable to comment further as this matter has been passed to our solicitors."