Gay row bouncer given £6k payout

A female bouncer has won £6,000 in compensation after being discriminated against for being "straight" while working at a gay nightclub.

Sharon Legg, 33, told an employment tribunal in Southampton that she was called a "breeder" and "straight" by her manager at the Bournemouth club.

She successfully claimed unfair dismissal against the Dreams club and was awarded a total of £6,222.

The nightclub operator said it would consider appealing against the ruling.

If it was the other way round and the shoe was on the other foot, I don't think it would be tolerated Sharon Legg

Ms Legg, a mother-of-four, was awarded £3,222 for unfair dismissal and a further £3,000 for hurt feelings.

Following the ruling, she told BBC Radio Five Live: "It's an achievement basically for gay, bi and straight people.

"It's about basically proving a point that you just don't treat people like that... whether you're straight, gay or bi in an environment, you should be treated with respect.

"If it was the other way round and the shoe was on the other foot, I don't think it would be tolerated."

Nick King, director of Rubyz Limited, which operates the nightclub, said the firm had done everything it could to protect her from harassment.

He said: "We accept that she was dismissed due to proper procedures not being followed.

"We have a zero tolerance attitude towards any kind of discrimination."