Lesbian couple scolded for kissing get apology from Twins
Three weeks after the incident, the Minnesota Twins are apologizing on behalf of a security guard who told a lesbian couple they must "adhere to the 10 Commandments" at Target Field.
The couple has received Facebook messages from stadium employees who say they need more diversity training.
Twins spokesman Kevin Smith called the two women earlier today and said the guard should be "embarrassed" for his behavior.
"He sounded pretty sincere about it," says Taylor Campione, one of the women scolded by the guard. "It felt like he legitimately thought that this was messed up and he wants to do something about it."
Smith and several other Twins staff members will also meet with Campione and her girlfriend, Kelsi Culpepper, next Wednesday to talk about how they can avoid a situation like this from happening in the future.
"We just want to bring them in and talk to them," says Smith. "We've only seen each other and talked through the media."
Smith offered them a chance to receive an apology from the guard at the meeting, says Campione, though she's not sure she cares to hear it.
"I'm not really looking for an apology from this guy," she says. "I don't really expect it to be sincere at all."
The incident occurred on May 27 at the Twins-Angels game. After the security guard saw Campione and Culpepper exchange a quick peck on the lips, he approached Campione and told her, "You can't do that."
"I can kiss whoever I want to," Campione responded.
"Well, we don't play grab ass here," the guard answered.
When Culpepper confronted the guard a few minutes later, he repeated the "no grab ass" comment and told her she must "adhere to the 10 Commandments" at Target Field.
Campione and Culpepper have been inundated with interview requests from other media outlets since we reported their story Thursday.
The guard has been reprimanded, but still works at Target Field.
Since we originally reported this story Thursday morning, Campione and Culpepper have received multiple Facebook messages from Target Field employees who say they believe the stadium needs more diversity and sensitivity training, says Campione. Some have also said they share Campione and Culpepper's belief that Target Field should adopt a zero-tolerance policy.
Smith says it's possible this incident could lead to more training, but couldn't say for sure. After meeting with Campione and Culpepper, the Twins human resources department will determine the appropriate next step, he says.
"We've got to remember, we're talking about one part-time security guard here," says Smith. "And if you walk around our organization, 99 percent of the people agreed that probably wasn't the best way to handle the situation."
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