Posted on 05/28/2007 3:46:58 PM PDT by Craigswatch
An Australian hotel popular with gay men has won the right to refuse entry to heterosexuals and lesbians, officials and the owner said Monday. The Peel Hotel in Melbourne won an exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act to prevent insults and abuse directed toward gays in its bars and nightclubs, owner Tom McFeely told AFP.
"The hotel predominantly markets itself towards homosexual males, towards gay men and we want to protect the integrity of the venue as well as continue to make the men feel comfortable," McFeely said.
"When large numbers of heterosexuals or even lesbians are in the hotel that changes the atmosphere and many gay men can feel uncomfortable."
The landmark decision by a civil tribunal gives the establishment -- which does not offer accommodation -- the right to refuse entry to people considered a threat to the safety and comfort of its patrons.
Helen Szoke, the chief executive of the Victoria state government's Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission, said the Peel Hotel's gay clientele had experienced harassment, hostility and violence.
"(They) also have felt as though they've been like a zoo exhibit with big groups of women on hens' parties coming to the club," she said.
McFeely said his aim was not to ban all straight patrons and lesbians but to limit their numbers so gay men could freely express their sexuality.
He said he expected a backlash from other patrons, but added: "I'm not worried about it because to be frank I don't really care what heterosexuals or lesbians think.
"My main motivation is to protect my gay male customers and I realise heterosexuals and lesbians may be upset. but I don't care about that.
"We are open at 8.00pm and we go all the way through till the morning. We have two dancefloors -- it is a nightclub environment."
McFeely said it would be easy to sort out desirable gays from undesirable straights and lesbians.
"It is particularly easy to implement with the females 'cause that is pretty obvious.
"With the heterosexual males, if they identify themselves as that at the door, or indeed we question their behaviour in the venue and if they come across as being heterosexual, then we will simply ask them to leave if the behaviour is unappropriate."
Human rights group Liberty Victoria supported the decision, vice-president Michael Pearce said.
"There are numerous places where heterosexual people can go," he said.
"I think what (the tribunal) has said is that there aren't that many places where gay people can go and meet without the risk of being harassed or vilified, and that they are entitled to have their own spaces to do that in."
the owner of a gay hotel is “McFeely?!?”
you just can’t make this stuff up...
Hate that behavior.
I think every business should have the opportunity to serve the customers it chooses to serve.
(/boring comment)
how many straights are uncomfortable around the brazen gay behavior seen in places such as Disney World during gay days, or even walking down the street in The Castro. Yet that’s ok because of political correctness that gay is good. so are we really going to enforce things that make any people uncomfortable, or only homosexuals?
There are plenty of hotels in Palm Springs that do the same thing.
They make it really clear when you try to make reservations.
That’s ok, I don’t plan on going to Palm Springs or afford it for that matter.
I wouldn’t have a big issue with it other than the fact that I would open a straight hotel only and get sued. Talk about a double standard.
Some people are more equal than others.
to prevent insults and abuse directed toward gays in its bars and nightclubs, owner Tom McFeely told AFP.
Yeah, right. There's a good excuse to give them exemption from the law. /s
True. The burden of tolerance lies with the majority.
Maybe I’m stereotyping, but they talk with a lisp and dress real nice.
"Homosexual" and "integrity" in the same sentence. ROTFLMAO!!!
So, in other words...
Oh, I know. That’s why I said “should.” People SHOULD be able to choose their clientele, with it being nobody’s business.
Does Disney announce their gay days, or do hapless families just happen to be unlucky enough to show up when it's going on?
I recognize that this is Australia, not the US, but when I look at the developed world, I've always seen Australia as being more like the US than say western Europe, so it may just be a matter of time. Hopefully, our courts will see clear that this is reverse discrimination in its clearest form.
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