A local gay and lesbian community organisation is lodging a complaint with the ACT Human Rights Commission after an altercation with a Civic cafe over the weekend.
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Parents and Friends of Gays and Lesbians Capital Region have started discussions with the commission after a scuffle with staff from the Landmark Cafe during the equal love rally at City Walk on Saturday.
The group issued a statement about the incident, which said the cafe had increased the volume of music during a speech by the group's vice-president, Ivan Hinton.
It further stated that in a discussion afterwards, the business told those taking part in the rally ''We don't want your business''. ACT Policing was called to the scene and is investigating the matter.
The group's president Dianne Hinton said ''unchallenged prejudice and discrimination'' had no place in the capital.
''There should be no doubt that all Canberrans are entitled to dignity and respect without fear of being discriminated against due to personal prejudice,'' she said.
But Landmark Cafe owner Michael, who asked to be identified by his first name only, said customers of any sexual orientation were welcome at his establishment. He said the altercation on Saturday left him and his fellow staff member feeling threatened.
''They said 'There's 400 of us and two of you. We're going to boycott your shop','' he said. He said the music levels at the time of the altercation were normal and said he had no qualms with serving gay and lesbian customers at his cafe, which exclusively hosts patrons from the nearby gay and lesbian nightclub Cube three nights a week.
In a message written on the wall of his cafe yesterday, Michael stated that ''homosexuals, bisexuals & heterosexuals are ALL welcome at this establishment''.
''Please note: ANY person who threatens a staff member with violence or protest against music will be refused service,'' it stated.
''We apologise to some heterosexuals that are intoxicated, this room is only accesable [sic] for customers of cube Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening after 9:00pm, which has been in place for the past month.''
The complaint by the group comes as people will be gathering on the lawns of Parliament for the National Marriage Day Rally today.
Carrying the message of ''Husband and Wife Equals Life'', the rally is expected to draw hundreds of people to the capital.
