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News > World News > UK lesbian newlyweds Tamsin Harper & Gemma Sharman sues over 'homophobia'

UK lesbian newlyweds Tamsin Harper & Gemma Sharman sues over 'homophobia'

Updated: 21 Sep 2011

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After Tamsin Harper and Gemma Sharman tied the knot in a civil partnership ceremony in front of hundreds of friends and relatives, they looked forward to their Caribbean honeymoon.

But the couple flew home in tears, claiming their once-in-a-lifetime holiday was ruined by ‘homophobic’ discrimination.

The pair, from Brighouse, West Yorkshire, paid Thomson £1,800 for the all-inclusive holiday in the Dominican Republic.

Honeymooners: But Tamsin Harper, left, and Gemma Harman say the holiday was the 'worst two weeks' they'd ever had.

Tamsin, 36, an office manager, said: ‘We got married at Leeds Town Hall and paid £6,000 for a big reception at the Gomersal Park Hotel. The honeymoon was meant to be a romantic trip. But it was a daily nightmare of disappointment and complaints.

'Every other couple got three or four complimentary, romantic candlelit meals with wine – we didn’t get one. There was supposed to be complimentary fruit and rum in our room as honeymooners but that never appeared.'

When they tried to book a meal, it was never arranged and when they tried to complain, staff were 'dismissive'.

They added Thomson staff ‘refused to acknowledge’ their marital status and were prejudiced against them.

Gemma, 24, an administrator, said: ‘I’m so angry. Our honeymoon was ruined. We got on the plane home and cried.’

'They just did not treat us the same as everybody else,' Ms Sharman added.

'It's, quite frankly, disgusting in this day and age and I find it ridiculous that people who work for a company that is supposedly gay-friendly can be so rude.'

She added: 'It was highly disappointing, there was just nothing that made it special, it was possibly the worst two weeks I've spent ever.'

The couple say they will be taking legal action.

A spokesman for Thomson said the couple had been let down by the company for the poor customer service received on their holiday and said they had been offered compensation for these problems.

But he said the problems they encountered were nothing to do with their sexuality and were the result of a 'communication breakdown'.

Wedded bliss: But Tamsin and Gemma claim their relationship was not recognised by Thomson, their holiday operator.

The spokesman said: 'Unfortunately we let them down but we let them down as customers.'

He added: 'We got the customer service wrong and they are wrong to believe it was anything to do with them personally.

'The holiday didn't live up to their expectations and it didn't live up to our standards. But it could have happened to anyone.'

He said Thomson had 'thousands' of gay customers going on holiday with them every year and employed gay staff members across the company. 'We are a totally diverse business,' he said.

SOURCE: dailymail.co.uk

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