Gay Bar, that is legally banning Straight People, Does anyone else see something wrong with this?

Question

I just read a article that said a bar in Australia is allowed to ban straight people from entering it. To me that is Discrimination. I am a straight Male. I would have no desire to go there. However. Where is the ACLU, And every other civil rights group at. I want some opinions from the gay community on how you feel about this. Is this Right, or is this discrimination.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20070529/od_nm/australia_hotel_dc;_ylt=Aj1XnVEZYhwO6JC1c7y7.3fMWM0F

Mistress, This is not about keeping someone from being happy. This is about protecting everyone's rights regardless if you are gay or straight. Whoever decided that this would be a good thing is only promoting hatred, and discrimination.

Answer 1

I see a couple problems.

Their drink sales will go down.

And they can't test for straight, so they'll still have to let them in.

Oh and one more, it stands in the way of integration, which is our future.

Though they have the right to refuse service to anyone, it shouldn't be based on sexual orientation, but on the individual. A gay man can be as dangerous as a straight man.

Answer 2

In order to make a competent judgement on the dicision of the court involved a person would have to see all the evidence. Read the above article and from what is said it the ruling was as a result of interperation of the level of protection required for a "protected group" under the non-discrimination laws of Austraila.

Further based upon the articles additional information of the bar becoming a "spectical" as being one of 2000 bar in the city then the "right to refuse service" becomes compelling.

This is most likely a correct dicision and not discrimination.

Answer 3

In theory, yes, any discrimination based on sexual orientation is wrong, though the reality is that at least in the U.S. many bars effectively ban or censor gays & lesbians by prohibiting any public displays of affection between gay couples. Holding hands will get you tossed out- if not beat up- in some bars. Until the legislature deals with this, and the legal system starts enforcing the law universally, we have every right to a at least one safe place where we're not constantly subjected to straight couples "flaunting their lifestyle choice". The bar can't really keep straight people out; you can always lie and pretend to be something you're not, as we're told to do whenever it's claimed that we're not being discrimated against.

And obviously, Australian law is different, and the ACLU would have no interests there. In many parts of the U.S. it's still legal- if not technically, then as interpreted by our elected local prosecutors and judges- for employers to make employment decisions based on sexual orientation, so at least a ban on "out" straights assures us that we won't bump into our openly straight boss at a gay bar. A gay bar is actually a popular destination for straight guys looking for a safe place to take a mistress.

Answer 4

For starters. I am not gay, however I have a few friends that are. I can see why they would want to do this. It isn't to just "keep out" straight people in general, I think it is more along the lines to keep out the ones who go in to cause trouble. There have been many occasions where people who are straight and hateful will go to places like this and act gay just so they can lure a true gay person out of the bar and then proceed to kick their ***. Of course banning straights will probably not work, People can lie, but it might cut down on the abuse. Also I don't think the ACLU exists in Australia. I believe that is only an American organization, but I could be wrong.

Answer 5

I'm reminded of a Daily Show segment about a man who moved his family to the Castro (the gayest neighborhood in the gayest city, San Francisco) and then started complaining about all the rampant sexuality.

Mind you, the hotel's policy is not to automatically turn straight people (and lesbians) away. There is no "GAY MALES ONLY" sign on the door or anything like that. The management simply wants the option of limiting the number of straight and lesbian patrons so the gay male patrons can continue to freely express their sexuality in an environment that was established to cater primarily to their interests.

Since this is happening in Australia, I don't think there's much the American Civil Liberties Union can do about it. But since you would have no desire to visit a gay club anyway, why are you so upset? Or are you just another straight white male looking for some bogus reason to feel like a victim? Do you also complain of sexism when other bars have "ladies' nights" and vaginated customers get their drinks for less?

Save your outrage for the kind of discrimination that actually harms people.

Here in Sacramento, we have a number of gay clubs that are increasingly filled with straight people looking for a place to party, and it's kinda killing the vibe. Seriously, don't you straight male types already have enough places to party without having to come crash ours?

Answer 6

Assuming this takes place in the US: Protection only extends to people who are arbitrarily discriminated against. A business can discriminate against a particular person if there is a legitimate business reason to do so. The gay bar could make the case that their particular business (bar that caters to gay people) has a legitimate reason for allowing only gay people (maybe they want their customers to feel comfortable knowing that they are hitting on people who share their sexual orientation). Just like a women's only gym can make the case that there's a legitimate business reason for allowing only women (maybe they can encourage women to choose their gym over other gyms cause they know only women will be looking at their cellulite). The business' reasoning might hold up in court or it might not. But businesses don't always have to let everyone in their doors. It's only when it's arbitrary that it's a problem.

You can, however, cast your vote in the marketplace by letting others know about the bar's discriminatory practices and encouraging them not to go there.

Answer 7

I think it's absolutely discrimination. And ridiculous, and kind of rude. Does the ACLU actually operate in Australia? I may be completely wrong, but I thought it was kind of a USA organization. Hmmm. All I know is that wouldn't fly here in the U.S., and I'm happy to be able to say that. If only WE could stop being discriminated against here.... Oh well.

Answer 8

Let's turn the situation around for a minute. Let's say you were in your favorite bar or restaurant enjoying yourself. Then a large group of gay folks entered the establishment and started staring at you, making rude comments about your life, and calling you unflattering names like "breeders..." I suspect you might want them removed.

This is what was happening at the club in Australia. Please don't dismiss Mistress' comments as all wrong. You have a right to go where you want and enjoy yourself, but not at the expense of others. The club is not banning all straight folks, just maintaining the right to refuse entry to those who ruin the atmosphere for the regular patrons.

Answer 9

I am a gay male. I think that is discrimination. I go into st8 bars all the time. I think that people should be allowed to drink in any type of bar they choose! If I were you, I would take an argument to the council (or whatever system Australia has) That is just plain wrong!

Answer 10

A straight bar would never be allowed to ban gays although I have seen "No all male parties here" in a club in England. That was about ten years ago so maybe the law has changed since then.

Answer 11

It's no different than if we formed the WAACP, WET, White History Month, United Caucasian College Fund, Heterosexual Pride, Hetero Rights Organization, etc...

Before we can truly learn to be Human Beings, we have to stop with all the discrimination nonsense that is so blatantly supported by those who are the first to cry "discrimination!"