A Louisiana woman says that a New Orleans Family Dollar cashier refused her service because she is gay.
According to the Times-Picayune, Melissa Langford, 34, says she overheard the cashier making derogatory statements about gay people.
"My mind was blown. I couldn't believe the things I was hearing this woman say," Langford told the newspaper. "It's one thing if it was a customer in line being ignorant with her friends, but this is the cashier."
Langford said she told the cashier that she is "very gay" and would appreciate it if she kept her opinions to herself. Langford claims that the cashier continued with her hate speech and refused to check Langford out. Langford said a man who agreed with the cashier's position was promptly rung up and allowed to leave with his item, while another man who agreed with Langford was also refused service until another cashier waited on him.
In a video posted to Langford's Facebook page, a second man can be heard defending Langford, calling the cashier "stupid ass" and "ignorant." The cashier is heard arguing that at least she has a job and is working. The video has been viewed more than 34,000 times.
Both Langford and the man can be heard asking to speak to a manager about the cashier's behavior. Langford told the newspaper that the manager told the pair, "I can't control nothing. She can say and do what she wants," the Times-Picayune reports.
"Whether I'm right or wrong, the cashier shouldn't be treating a customer this way, and she can't deny people service just because she feels like it," Langford told the paper. "You can feel any way you want to, as long as it doesn't impede on someone else's life."
Langford said that she has called Family Dollar to report the incident but she has not heard back from the store. It is unclear if the company has taken any action.
Read more at the Times-Picayune.