Multiple sports teams continue to generate videos for the “It Gets Better” campaign, but it’s unclear what actions the teams are taking to make it better for not only players, but stadium staff and fans. Yesterday, the Minnesota Twins announced they would be contributing a video, but today brings news of a lesbian couple who were recently disparaged by a security guard at a Twins game. CityPages reports:
Taylor Campione and Kelsi Culpepper — two lesbian women from Minneapolis — were recently scolded by a Target Field security guard for what they call a “brief kiss.”
After seeing the quick peck on the lips, the guard told the women that “we don’t play grab ass here” and that they must “adhere to the 10 Commandments” while at the stadium.
“That ruined our entire evening,” says Campione. “We were super upset, we felt super uncomfortable.”
Though the guard has been reprimanded, he has retained his job. The couple has filed a complaint with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights, calling for a zero-tolerance harassment policy at the stadium. The team’s spokesperson, Kevin Smith, has said that the team will reach out to the couple to try to make amends, because they want to make sure everyone feels welcome. In fact, the Twins have been reaching out to LGBT groups since as early as 2001.
The baseball teams’ videos are the latest in a series of steps forward to reduce homophobia in athletics. By committing to staff education and training workshops, sports teams could help create a more positive environment not just on YouTube, but at their own games as well.