Jan 31 2010 by Sophie Doughty, Sunday Sun
“We have got to be so careful where we go.
“We wouldn’t dare go in most pubs on a match day. But I had never had a problem at the Briar Dene.
“I really want to keep drinking there. It’s a friendly pub and over the years I have put a lot of money in their tills. I thought I had found somewhere I feel comfortable.”
Katrina has not been back to the Briar Dene since the humiliating incident.
“I haven’t been out for four weeks now,” she continued. “It’s really, really got me down.”
But other regulars have been so outraged by her treatment that a Facebook group entitled Support Katrina Harte has been set up. More than 180 people have already joined up, leaving messages of support for Katrina.
“I have been overwhelmed by the support,” she said.
“I’m obviously not the only one affected by this.
“Coming out as a woman was the biggest decision of my life but I have never, ever regretted it. I had to make the move because it was starting to tear me up inside. But what they are doing to me is discrimination.”
When the Sunday Sun contacted the Briar Dene and its parent company Sir John Fitzgerald Ltd, nobody was willing to comment.