The Seattle Mariners are in a strange position as they have crisscrossed their stance on a lesbian couple’s recent public display of affection at Friday’s ballgame.
When the Anaheim Angels visited the Seattle Mariners on Friday, many fans went to watch former University of Washington pitcher Tim Lincecum play just miles from where he went to school. One of those fans was Giuliana Garcia, who roots for the Giants, Lincecum’s former team.
Garcia attended the game with her partner, Calista Nabors. According to outsports.com, sometime during the seventh inning, the couple was approached by a Safeco Field usher who instructed them to stop “being affectionate” because they were in a “family friendly environment” and that fans were complaining because of their public displays of affection.
Safeco Field’s Code of Conduct bans “displays of affection not appropriate in a public, family setting.” The couple went to guest services to question the incident and were told that a manager would be contacting them. On Monday, Amy Swisher, senior manager of guest experience reached out and left a voicemail.
“I just want to apologize to you. We do have a code of conduct as far as what people are doing in the ballpark, but hugging and embracing is totally fine. And I’m kind of upset with my staff that they made an issue of it. I want you to know that we spoke with , and we’ve coached her on what violates our code of conduct and what doesn’t. She feels bad and I’m just kind of appalled by the whole situation. I’m so sorry for what you guys went through. This is not how we treat people. It goes against our beliefs and the Mariners way, and I am, like I said, very very sorry about it.”
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Garcia was apparently content with the apology and considered the incident over.
“It should not have happened,” she said, “but the way they handled it, I’m very impressed and appreciative with that.”
Over the next 24 hours, something changed as a Seattle Mariners spokesperson later told outsports.com that the couple had acted inappropriately. The usher had received multiple complaints, one coming from a Safeco Field staff member, stating that the couple had been “making out,” and “needed to be stopped.”
Unfortunately, this isn’t an isolated incident. Back in 2008, a similar situation arose when a lesbian couple accused the Mariners of mistreating them after they had kissed.
Billy Bean, vice-president of social responsibility and inclusion for Major League Baseball said that, “Each and every MLB club is governed and managed individually when it comes to their own stadium protocol. Common sense prevails, as the goal of every venue is to ensure an enjoyable game experience for everyone….so they return.”
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The Seattle Mariners have just over a week to get their act together as August 19th is the team’s LGBT Night at the ballpark.