Gay couple called ''faggots'' at Safeway Satisfied with resolution
by Yusef Najafi
Jason Morgan and Brendan Harrington, the gay couple who were called ''faggots'' by a Safeway cashier on June 11, will not be taking legal action against the store.
Harrington and Morgan
Speaking to Metro Weekly Friday, June 17, Morgan said a second apology from Safeway, in which the corporation announced that the cashier had been fired, was adequate.
''I talked to Brendan and we both decided that we're very happy with the apology from Safeway, we do accept it and we're ready move on,'' Morgan said Friday. ''We're not taking legal action.''
Morgan added that he's not sure whether he and Harrington will continue to shop at the grocery store, one block away from their home.
''It's too embarrassing right now,'' he said. ''That's the only reason we wouldn't go back there. Maybe with time.''
Morgan added that the weeklong ordeal has left the couple ''exhausted.''
''I didn't realize it would be such an ordeal to get an apology and I'm embarrassed about the situation,'' he said. ''We do appreciate all the public help,'' he added, crediting Councilmember Tommy Wells (D-Ward 6) and ANC 6D Chair Andy Litsky for helping the couple secure an apology from Safeway.
In a statement issued to Metro Weekly Thursday evening, June 16, Craig Muckle, manager of public affairs and public relations at Safeway's Eastern Division, announced that the employee in question had been terminated and that Safeway was sorry.
''This goes against everything we believe and practice in terms of serving and welcoming our customers, and in being a part of the diverse communities we are privileged to serve.''
''We are at a loss to explain how one of our employees, even one who has been on the job for less than a month, could consider this kind of behavior to be acceptable. The employee has been terminated.''
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