US: Lesbian kicked out of Michigan water park for wearing men’s swimwear
An Indiana woman claims she was kicked out of a Michigan water park because she is a lesbian and was wearing men’s swimming trunks.
Jill Sweeney told Michigan news station WSBT that she was kicked out of WildWater Adventure in Muskegon, Michigan on 9 July after spending only three hours at the park for her bachelorette party.
Sweeney said she was wearing men’s swimming trunks, a tank top, and a sports bra when she was asked to leave.
Sweeney told WSBT: “I hate to say it, but I think it’s because I’m a lesbian.
“The supervisor had come up and she said, ‘Ma’am, you have to wear a women’s bathing suit. You’re not allowed to wear men’s’.”
The park’s rules require all park goers to wear swimsuits. The guidelines say street clothes, like jeans and athletic clothing, are not allowed.
Sweeney said: “There’s nothing on their site that says gender specific so what’s wrong with what I was wearing compared to anyone else?”
WildWater Adventure general manager Camille Mark told WSBT: “A sports bra would not be a swimsuit. We require our patrons to wear swimsuits, and street clothes of any kind would not be allowed.
“There are all kinds of non-gender specific swimwear available.”
When WSBT told Mark that Sweeny felt she was targeted because she is a lesbian, Mark said: “I couldn’t possibly comment on that. How would anyone be aware of her sexuality?”
Sweeny is looking into filing a discrimination suit against the park.
