Lesbian couple say they were denied daycare spot because of sexual orientation

Lesbian couple Kate Taylor and Agate Durkalec say they are filing a human rights complaint after they say they were denied a daycare spot for their baby girl because of their sexual orientation.

WINNIPEG - A lesbian couple say they are filing a human rights complaint after they say they were denied a daycare spot for their baby girl because of their sexual orientation.

Agata Durkalec and her partner Kate Taylor moved to Winnipeg from Ontario and began looking for a daycare for their 10-month-old daughter.

They thought they were in luck when they found an opening at a home daycare, but allege the daycare operator withdrew the offer in writing when she found out they are lesbians.

"We thought we had found daycare. We were so excited," said Taylor. "But when we did say that we were a queer couple, asked if she had any questions about that, because not everyone is familiar, she let us know that although her heart goes out to us she'd be unable to offer us a spot."

In an email to Durkalec, the woman said their baby wouldn't be a "good fit" because she knew how other families at the daycare feel about same-sex couples.

Reached by phone, the operator of the daycare said she would not provide a comment on the situation.

Durkalec says it would be illegal for a hair salon to deny service based on sexual orientation and an unlicenced home daycare should be no different.

- with files from The Canadian Press