Lawsuit | Starbucks employee claims she wasn't promoted as she's gay and 'looks like a boy'

A Starbucks employee is suing the company, claiming she was overlooked for a promotion because of her sexuality and because she ‘looks like a boy’.

Jahmelia 'Jay' Peters is claiming that she was passed over when the coffee giant was promoting in one of their stores, an act she says was down to her sexuality, gender identity and gender expression.

Peters alleges that her manager told her colleagues the reason she wasn’t promoted was because she is gay and ‘looks like a boy’. Following not being promoted, she was fired for questioning her manager’s decision and did not receive her final pay, she claims.

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She also alleges that another less experienced female colleague, who did not want the job, was promoted over her because of an “inappropriate” and flirtacious relationship with a manager, making Peters feel like what she had experienced was unjust.