CAPE TOWN GYM HOMOPHOBE BANNED FOR LIFE
The man who used a gay slur against eNews television anchor Andrew Barnes at a Cape Town gym has reportedly been banned from the gym for life.
Writing on his Facebook page on Thursday, Barnes said that “for physically threatening my partner and verbally abusing us both, ‘The Homophobe’ has been banned for life from The Point [gym]. He’s also been suspended from all other Virgin Active clubs for the next three months.”
Barnes, who is lead anchor on the News Day programme, added: “Here’s hoping he’s learnt that discrimination and intimidation, on any grounds, are no longer tolerated.”
The incident took place late last month after Barnes kissed his partner goodbye at the Green Point Virgin Active gym. Barnes laid a formal complaint with the management.
Virgin Active South Africa’s head of strategic communications, Les Aupiais, told Mambaonline that she could neither name the man accused of homophobia nor confirm his banning by the gym due to “confidentiality”.
“A letter went out and a disciplinary was held. And I believe that the result will make Andrew very happy,” she said.
“From our side we dealt with this decisively. You have to be decisive – we don’t brook any kind prejudice. We have taken this complaint absolutely bloody seriously,” insisted Aupiais.
On Facebook, Barnes, who has refused to comment on the issue to the media, thanked Virgin Active “for taking a stand against homophobia”.
That’s quick jusitice for you. Or perhaps they didn’t want to feel the wrath of Andrew’s boss Debra Patta who seems to running out ideas on 3rd degree. There’s nothing like a good sinsational homphobe documenatary when when all inspiration seems lost. So good on u Les Aupiais, for saving your own ass. I wonder though, would u have reacted this fast if I was being threatend and discriminated against? But than againg n ordinary person can also find thier way to Debra’s office and still put Virgin Active on the chopping bloc, so I suppose that’s a yes*smiley*