Crown casino sued by same-sex couple over alleged sexual orientation retaliation
A lesbian couple is suing Crown Resorts, G4S Security and the Australian state government of Victoria. They were previously arrested and allegedly assaulted by security guards at Melbourne's Crown Casino. The couple claimed they were ostracized simply because of their sexual orientation.
The Herald Sun reports that according to their report, Sharon Cosgrove and her date went to Lumia Bar in Crown Melbourne in July 2019 and ordered a glass of wine. They then shared what Cosgrove described as a simple "kiss," to which royal security responded immediately.
Five security guards left the area and asked Cosgrove and her unknown date to leave. The guard claimed the pair were drunk, but Cosgrove insisted that was not the case. Instead, according to them, they were victims of sexism.
Adding insult to injury
Cosgrove claimed security allowed her and her date to finish their drinks. However, they were constantly harassed by guards around them.
Cosgrove said she was then forcibly subdued and restrained by guards, who then handcuffed her and forcibly took her downstairs to the casino. They then presented in front of all the other guests at Lumia.
Guards then handed her into the custody of Victoria Police, who then took her to a cell. During her two-hour detention, she expressed dissatisfaction with her treatment and even made veiled threats to go public with the media.
As Cosgrove mentioned, this allegedly triggered a response from law enforcement that resulted in injuries. She suffered a leg injury that required 14 stitches and other "permanent physical and psychological" injuries.
The report did not provide details about what happened on Cosgrove's date.
What’s next
Cosgrove brought proceedings against Crown and the State of Victoria, alleging assault, false imprisonment and false imprisonment. She also filed a lawsuit against G4S Security, alleging false imprisonment and intentional bodily harm in custody.
The lawsuit seeks compensation for physical and mental damages, including financial losses, suffered by Cosgrove as a result of his absence from work while he recovered. The amount of compensation was not specified.
The case involves more than just the discrimination and violence Cosgrove experienced, according to a statement released by Cosgrove's legal team. Rather, it is a larger fight for equal rights and the basic right to be treated with dignity and respect.
No one should be publicly reported, harassed and attacked because of their sexual orientation,” said attorney Oliver Robertson of Slater & Gordon in Cosgrove.
Crown, G4S Security and Victoria have yet to provide detailed comments. Crown provided only an initial response and said it would not discuss ongoing litigation, but added it was prepared to aggressively address the allegations.
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Source: www.casino.org
