Gay Australian pub wins right to ban straights.

[buttmunch]

MELBOURNE (Reuters) - An Australian hotel catering for homosexuals has won the right to ban heterosexuals from its bars so as to provide a safe and comfortable venue for gay men.

In what is believed to be a first for Australia, the Victorian state civil and administrative tribunal ruled last week that the Peel Hotel in the southern city of Melbourne could exclude patrons based on their sexuality.

Australia's equal opportunity laws prevent people being discriminated against based on race, religion or sexuality.

But Peel Hotel owner Tom McFeely said the ruling was necessary to provide gay men with a non-threatening atmosphere to freely express their sexuality.

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"If I can limit the number of heterosexuals entering the Peel, then that helps me keep the safe balance," Peel told Australian radio on Monday.

McFeely said that, while the hotel welcomed everyone, its gay clientele had expressed discomfort over the number of heterosexuals and lesbians coming to the venue in the past year.

He said there were more than 2,000 venues in Melbourne that catered to heterosexuals, but his hotel was the only one marketing itself predominantly to gay men.

Victoria's state human rights commission backed the ruling, saying it was in line with equal opportunity guidelines defending the rights of groups subject to discrimination.

Commission chief Helen Szoke said the hotel's gay clientele had experienced harassment 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," Szoke told reporters.

McFeely told the radio that the hotel had received homophobic telephone calls since news of the ruling was made public.
Gay Australian pub wins right to ban straights | International | Reuters

All these years the gay community has been fighting to be accepted by society and now want to ban those who are different? I kind of get the reasons but still think it's wrong.

[SVZ]

I think this is a step in the wrong direction

[Allie]

My thoughts exactly. It's racist too when it's the other way round.

[SVZ]

Originally Posted by Allie

My thoughts exactly. It's racist too when it's the other way round.

Gays aren't a race, but I get what you mean hehe

[Mariesoleil]

I think this is a step in the wrong direction too.

[doriangray]

maybe if gay men weren't treated as freaks or worse, being told it's "ok" or it's "cool" these things wouldn't happen. i say good for them. why do straight people want to go anyway? fag hags excepted of course. straight people have made it uncomfortable for gay people for years. i say screw them.
and as well, lesbian bars are notorious for not wanting anyone but gay women in their establishment. this seems accepted. but gay men are supoosed to be forever cheerful and grateful for any little crumb thrown their way.

[CRAZY 'N' NUTS]

I disagree, two wrongs don't make a right. I love my gay friends, im sure they'll be furious if I showed them this article.

[Born In A Brothel]

How will that work. I hope the bouncers have superior gaydar.

[McJag]

Originally Posted by Born In A Brothel

How will that work. I hope the bouncers have superior gaydar.

I was wondering that,too. I mean-they can't say "Show me your Gay Card".

[MrsDark]

Is Melbourne really that anti-gay that they have to worry about taking shit in gay bars? I wouldn't have thought...

Heck I live in the Southern part of the US, which always gets a bad rap for everything from cross burning to gay-bashing to misogyny and there are gay bars here and it's no big deal. It kind of pleases me to go to the major gay or even straight clubs in Memphis because there are plenty of straight people...guys and girls, and especially amongst the younger crowd, I have noticed...who go to the clubs with their gay friends. If it's a "gay" club of course the majority in attendance will be gay. But straight people hanging out with gay people doesn't just consist of fag hags and women out on hen parties anymore I'm noticing.

[Grimmlok]

Are we sure that "hotel" doesn't mean "bath house"

[MrsDark]

Hmm. Could be. But what would a *straight* guy want in a bathouse anyway? Workout tips?

[Grimmlok]

a little of the ol' cheatin on the wife action?

[MrsDark]

Don't most places have bouncers to give shitasses the bumb's rush out the door anyway? I know they do here, just in case.

[blissfullyunaware]

I don't agree with this action, because the majority of gay clubs that I have been to are almost always predominantly gay men. I am straight & have no problem with gay people, I don't typically troll the gay club scene either.