Heterophobic hotel wins right to exclude non gay patrons (1 Viewer)

[jimmayyy]

A Melbourne gay bar has been granted an exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act in a landmark ruling which will allow security to refuse entry to heterosexuals.
The owners of Collingwood's Peel Hotel, which came under fire in April for promoting a gay Anzac Day party, successfully argued to the state planning tribunal that banning heterosexuals from the club would prevent "sexually based insults and violence".

....


VCAT deputy president Cate McKenzie claimed that allowing straight men and women into the club would defeat the purpose of the venue.
"This would undermine or destroy the atmosphere which the company wishes to create," McKenzie said.
"Sometimes heterosexual groups and lesbian groups insult and deride and are even physically violent towards the gay male patrons."
McKenzie said some straight women came to the club because they found the gay patrons entertaining.
"To regard the gay male patrons of the venue as providing an entertainment or spectacle to be stared at, as one would at an animal at a zoo, devalues and dehumanises them," she said.
"(This exemption) seeks to give gay men a space in which they may, without inhibition, meet, socialise and express physical attraction to each other in a non-threatening atmosphere."

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=269523

pathetic. blatant hypocrisy and completely undermining any efforts by the larger gay community in their fight for equality.

which, i believe they are fully deserving of (in case you think otherwise). the gay community has always prided itself on equality, tolerance and acceptence - yet this establishment has sought for and won the right to refuse non-gays service at a pub. the VCAT is a joke.

thoughts?

 

[Sparcod]

Yes. I understand that that're reverse discrimination. How would they know whether or not someone is heterosexual?

 

[S1M0]

If we can't discriminate them because they're homosexual, then neither can they because we're not homosexual. Simple.

 

[S1M0]

oh and....

HYPOCRITE!

​

 

[S1M0]

Yes. I understand that that're reverse discrimination. How would they know whether or not someone is heterosexual?

I'm assuming voice, taste in music, probably fashion sense and some trait that identifies them as homosexual would be required by the person to order to gain entrance.

 

[Sparcod]

And for women??

 

[S1M0]

And for women??

The same would generally apply, although there might be different criteria.

Come to think of it, perhaps membership into a gay rights movement or gay club or something would normally suffice.

 

[Ennaybur]

I'm assuming voice, taste in music, probably fashion sense and some trait that identifies them as homosexual would be required by the person to order to gain entrance.

Not all gays are camp.

 

[S1M0]

Not all gays are camp.

Hence the reason why i wrote this:

Come to think of it, perhaps membership into a gay rights movement or gay club or something would normally suffice.

 

[CSI: CRIMES ™]

Let them...when the end of life is near...they're all going to hell anyways...so the bible says :rofl:

 

[ari89]

The original post actually confuses me...
The guy at the bar couldn't disallow arabs and islanders but this bar can disallow heterosexuals. What happens if a bar decides to ban homosexuals saying it screws with the heterosexual ambiance that they originally intended for it to have?

 

[bshoc]

The original post actually confuses me...
The guy at the bar couldn't disallow arabs and islanders but this bar can disallow heterosexuals. What happens if a bar decides to ban homosexuals saying it screws with the heterosexual ambiance that they originally intended for it to have?

I second this, ban all the gays, they're wrecking the hetro ambience which most patrons enjoy.

 

[BritneySpears]

I wonder what will happen to many closeted gays? Clearly a case of discrimination. then again we have lots of female only gym etc. The trend is you can discriminate as long as you are minority/weaker section of society. Hence the majority of heterosexual white men have become the most discriminated against nowadays.

 

[ari89]

I second this, ban all the gays, they're wrecking the hetro ambience which most patrons enjoy.

I wasn't actually proposing that. My example was to highlight the response that would happened if that would occur. If this case wasn't a one off we're probably going to end up with straight v gay hotels/clubs etc which will only highlight differences. I don't really see any good coming from the decision right now.

 

[sam04u]

The only pre-requisite to entering is to be homosexual. It's not even based on their differences but rather their similarities, it's only there to maintain a vibe which the patron made. Should a strip-club be forced to host 100s of strict religious people? (Because of anti-discrimination) ?

It's not like they're discriminating people based on race, religion, appearance, (I think they did mention something about gender) or anything like that. It's just a bar that wishes to have like-minded people attend (just like any club or pub that has a dress code).

 

[KFunk]

Two things which bother me:

1) It's discrimination

2) By virtue of (1) it undermines attempts to prevent discrimination based on sexuality.

 

[sam04u]

Two things which bother me:

1) It's discrimination

2) By virtue of (1) it undermines attempts to prevent discrimination based on sexuality.

Exactly. It also sort of makes integration alot harder. In Australia gay people should be able to feel comfortable in any bar. A 'gay' bar just makes it worse. It's good and bad at the same time.

 

[ari89]

The only pre-requisite to entering is to be homosexual. It's not even based on their differences but rather their similarities, it's only there to maintain a vibe which the patron made. Should a strip-club be forced to host 100s of strict religious people? (Because of anti-discrimination) ?

How does that even almost draw a comparison? A strict relgious person can choose not to go to a strip club just as a heterosexual can choose not to go to a homosexual bar. If they don't like the atmosphere they don't have to go in.

It's not like they're discriminating people based on race, religion, appearance, (I think they did mention something about gender) or anything like that. It's just a bar that wishes to have like-minded people attend (just like any club or pub that has a dress code).

No, its discrimination on the basis of sexual preference. Again, your analogy isn't comparable.

 

[Ennaybur]

It gives people the excuse to say 'oh well you have your own bars'. Furthermore, if I like to go to gay bars with gay friends I find it unfair i shouldn't be allowed in.

 

[sam04u]

No, its discrimination on the basis of sexual preference. Again, your analogy isn't comparable.

Firstly, I would like to say I feel flattered that you copied my signature format.

If you read my second post I do mention that it does discriminate, but it also creates an atmosphere where a certain people can feel comfortable around like-minded people. Would it be discrimination if a homeless man tried to enter an RSL or other recreational club wearing torn pants and shirt? Yes it would. But it's still acceptable by Australian law. That man could have an opinion on wearing clothes which was created by Low Paid Wages (Labourers who are paid a few dollars per garment made.) Or maybe have something against clothing that was made of byproducts of animals. (Maybe both.)

Regardless, he would be expected to adhere to the dress code in order to maintain balance and the 'vibe' that the patron intended the bar to have. It's not about differences, but rather similarities.