Posted on 05/28/2007 5:11:25 PM PDT by DogByte6RER
Gay Aussie Hotel Wins Right To Ban Heterosexuals, Lesbians
May 28 05:00 AM US/Eastern
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."
That's okay with me. I have no business whatsoever in these sort of places.
However...the issue everybody should be focsuing on is if it is now also legal for heterosexual business establishments to ban homosexuals from the premises.
After all, what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander, right?
As a USA citizen, I am aware their are some language variances between the US and other English speaking countries, but....
Hotel?
I’m for taking it a step farther. Only allow homosexual males to attend a club like this and none other - isolate the rump rangers.
Plus they only allow entry from the rear.
McFigures!
The right to NOT associate — is that a fundamental human right ? Should that be allowed in the USA ?
Laughing... gay men feel threatened by lesbians? What a riot!
Yep.
If there was a food ladder for wimps, they would be on the lowest rung.
But you're right about the way that place looks, and it has to be absolutely crawling with some very unfriendly bacteria and viruses. The only way I would go in there would be if I had one of those full-body suits the astronauts wear. But I can't think why I would go there. And the owner looks like a prize perv.
[I] After all, what is sauce for the goose is also sauce for the gander, right?[/I]
wouldn’t that be sauce for the gander is also sauce for the gander in this instance?
This is what chaps my hide about such “people”. A business can’t refuse to hire gays, a hotel can’t forbid them, etc. etc........but boy oh boy they can sure have it THEIR way, can’t they.
NO sense of fairness in this world any longer.
Do you think hotels that would like only straight clinets could get an exemption? Naaahhh...
"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."
Well isn't that so "tolerant" of him? You can tell he really is a man that opposes "discrimination" of any sort. He really "cares" about the feelings of others. (sarc)
They are the Master Race, just ask them.
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