Figure Skaters Sue after Being Told They Could Not Hold Hands
Alan Lessik and John Manzon-Santosin are suing a California ice rink after being told that they could not hold hands while skating together.
Alan Lessik and John Manzon-Santosin sued in Alameda County Superior Court last month accusing the manager of Berkeley Iceland of unlawful and discriminatory business practices by denying them their right to skate as a pair.
The manager, Monte Tiedemann, twice told the pair to stop holding hands during their preparations for Gay Games VII at the Berkeley arena. The pair, who met at the Sydney Gay Games in 2002, said they have not encountered similar admonitions at two other Bay Area ice rinks.
Alan and John are asking in the suit that the rink’s manager undergo sensitivity training, and to receive an apology. Berkeley Iceland claims the two men were told to stop holding hands for safety reasons. A mediation meeting will take place on Tuesday.
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