A local lesbian couple alleges they were assaulted by a security guard at a bar in University City earlier this month.
Amber Walker and Khadijah Brown, both 21, were having drinks at the Landmark Americana bar and restaurant at 33rd and Market streets in the early-morning hours of Jan. 16.
The couple was in the ladies’ restroom when they say a male security guard came in and told them they had to leave.
“We thought the club was closing,” said Walker. “It was towards the end of the night.”
But when Walker and Brown walked out of the restroom, it was clear that the bar was still open.
“Everyone was still there,” Walker said.
The couple says they were followed very closely by the security guard as he escorted them to the front door.
“He would not even let us put our jackets on,” said Walker. “It was freezing out.”
That’s when, Walker said, the security guard pushed them through the front door and out onto the sidewalk.
Brown said the guard tripped her, sending her crashing into the side of a nearby car. He then allegedly proceeded to pin Walker down on top of Brown’s head, after which he said, “I’m tired of all you dykes trying to fight men.”
“We were not fighting back at all,” Walker told PGN. “The managers saw what was happening and pulled him off of us.”
When asked about the incident, Landmark general manager Kyle Veale said “an event such as the one you are describing has not happened at Landmark. Moreover, as a matter of courtesy and privacy, we would not disseminate information regarding customers.”
Veale added that, “as a company, we take pride in the diversity of both our customers and employees. We have not and will not discriminate against anyone for any reason, let alone their sexuality, as had been erroneously reported to you.”
Walker admitted that Brown became very upset after the security guard was pulled off of them.
“She was yelling at the security guard and giving him the middle finger,” Walker said. “We had both been drinking that night, but I tried to stay calm.”
Walker said police arrived — though she is unsure if they were called to the location or spotted the incident — and instructed Brown to calm down, threatening to arrest her, which prompted the couple to leave.
They went to the hospital later that morning; Walker said she had cuts to her nose and lip and back pain, and Brown had neck pain. They each filed a police report later that day.
Police spokesperson Tanya Little confirmed the reports were filed and said they were categorized under “simple assault.” Such cases, she noted, usually end up becoming private criminal complaints.