Dustin Lance Black’s trip to Australia took an unexpected twist when the award winning screenwriter and activist was stopped and accused of shoplifting at a Woolworths grocery store in the Gold Coast.
Black took to Twitter immediately following the encounter, tweeting that he was stopped and had his bag checked.
OMG! Was just stopped & accused of shoplifting @woolworths in the Gold Coast! 😂Then out of countless folks with bags a search was demanded of mine. Thanks for the warm welcome to #AUSTRALIA @woolworths! Respect customers’ privacy much? Shame. pic.twitter.com/uttZmqQkrL
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) April 11, 2018
After one of his followers asked Black if he’d received an apology from the chain or store personnel, Black responded that he hadn’t.
“No apology at all. Just an accusatory zombielike look in their eyes,” he said.
Never Miss a Beat
Subscribe to our newsletter to stay ahead of the latest LGBTQ+ political news and insights.
OMG. NO. No apology at all. Just an accusatory zombielike look in their eyes. So I just got a refund for the drink I’d just PURCHASED and went elsewhere. So silly. Tourists be warned! https://t.co/lrl9bGXsKn
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) April 11, 2018
After other users responded, Black continued to discuss the ordeal on Twitter, warning tourists to avoid the store.
“But any kidding aside, I do suggest folks avoid this odd place. It was very aggressive and strange,” he wrote to one person. “Vile way to treat people,” he told another.
So far the store has yet to apologize to Black, who is in the country as his husband, Olympic swimmer Tom Daley.
I am. And I still will. But any kidding aside, I do suggest folks avoid this odd place. It was very aggressive and strange. Not a way to treat anyone, particularly in a time when you’d think AUSTRALIA would like to show its best to world. @woolworths #Fail
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) April 11, 2018
So targeting & treating people as criminals for absolutely no reason & w/ no explanation (even when asked), chasing them down as they leave the store (after having made a purchase) & accusing them of a crime is the norm in AU or just @woolworths? 🤔 Vile way to treat people.
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) April 11, 2018
Good question. I asked the same. That’s when they got nervous, started walking in circles, and stopped making eye contact. 🤷♂️
— Dustin Lance Black (@DLanceBlack) April 11, 2018
