Ian Johnson, Out NowMay 29, 2007
A storm is in full swing over the court win of a Melbourne hotel, The Sir Robert Peel Hotel, in Collingwood, Melbourne, to discriminate against non-gay men entering the venue.
That may seem a little hard for some to understand, but I have seen numerous examples of venues that begin by targeting a gay clientele, then become so popular that the gay establishment begins to attract a reputation as a "top place" for a night out.
Which in turn sees the customer base evolving to become a different clientele to the regulars that were there from the beginning, and who often-times will leave for somewhere else if the ambience of a nightlife venue changes from that which attracted their business in the first place.
Reuters reports: "[The bar manager] 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."
This issue is attracting widespread media attention, including today's Guardian Unlimited.
I think it is important to remember the distinction between the need for gay and lesbian people to feel they 'own' a safe space in which to socialize with the need for widespread community acceptance of gay lives as equal and with the right to be lived free from discrimination.
Some will howl that this is simply not fair as gay people want to be treated equally yet they may discriminate against non-gays.
I see a distinction though. Non-gay people live their entire lives as "the norm" whereas for gay people they have precious few places to call their own where, for just a brief time, they become "the norm".
Keen eyed readers may recognize the Peel Hotel from our Anzac Day article last month. They do seem to have had a rough time of their PR - in both gay media and mainstream media. Not necessarily the best public relations for any gay bar.
Here is an extract of today's UK Guardian coverage of the issue:
An Australian hotel catering for homosexuals has won the right to ban heterosexuals from its bars.
In what is believed to be a first for Australia, the Victoria state civil and administrative tribunal ruled last week that the Peel Hotel in Melbourne could exclude patrons based on their sexuality, despite the fact that Australia's equal opportunities laws prevent discrimination on the grounds of sexuality.
The owner of the Peel Hotel, Tom McFeely, said the ruling was necessary to provide gay men with a non-threatening atmosphere.
Mr McFeely said the hotel welcomed everyone, but its gay clientele had expressed concern at the number of heterosexuals and lesbians at the venue.
Victoria's state human rights commission said the ruling was in line with guidelines defending the rights of groups subject to discrimination.
Its head, Helen Szoke, said the hotel's gay clientele had experienced harassment and violence, and "have felt as though they've been like a zoo exhibit, with big groups of women on hen parties coming to the club".
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