Lesbian couple accuse jewellers of discrimination after they refuse to sell hers and hers wedding rings
(Stock photo)
A lesbian couple are calling out a leading high street jeweller after they found out they do not sell same-sex wedding bands.
Rebecca Miscallef and Astria Battisa visited the Birmingham Bullring branch of H.Samuel to buy their wedding rings, only to discover that there were not any same-sex couple designs available in store, reported Birmingham Live.
The lesbian couple said that they were “horrified” to find that H Samuel do not provide same-sex commitment band sets – with the only alternative being significantly more expensive than the pair available to heterosexual couples.
“I went to the store with my fiancée to buy a set of commitment rings which were retailing at £1,399, but was horrified to find H.Samuel do not provide same-sex sets. That’s despite our intended union being perfectly legal,” the couple told Birmingham Live.
Wedding calligraphy (Pexels)
After they visited the store on June 7, the couple rang the customer service team to ask why the bands are not available.
“I contacted the customer service team to log a complaint and inform them that the company had breached the Equality Act of 2010. I was informed that these commitment rings are not available to same-sex couples, and I would have to have an alternative made via their bespoke service, which would be at a much higher cost,” the couple told the publication.
“I saw six sets of these commitment rings in a variety of precious metals, all of them geared towards heterosexual couples. I also feel the company has discriminated against the LGBT community in their marketing for bridal items.”
The wives-to-be said that they felt “embarrassed” when they were told the rings were not available.
“We are not doing this for us, we’re doing it for all same-sex couples.
The couple have been together for four years (Pexels)
“We feel that H.Samuel has embarrassed us. This is why we are fighting so hard to make sure that no one should be held back from something as natural as love.
“I met my partner four years ago and the love that we share with one another is so precious and beautiful,” added Battisa.
An H.Samuel spokesman told Birmingham Live: “It is Signet’s policy that all store teams treat all customers equally and with the same outstanding customer service levels.
Same-sex marriage became legal in 2014 (Pexels)
“Signet believes that jewellery is an emotional purchase and the quintessential item for people to celebrate life and express love, whether customers are looking for bridal jewellery or any other gifts of love. We have been serving couples in love for more than 150 years.
“For privacy reasons, it is our policy not to disclose information about our customers, including the resolution of customer service issues through third parties.”
