Gay Aussie hotel wins right to ban heterosexuals

[CMF Newsman]

SYDNEY (AFP) - 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."

story

[snarkalicious]

A private business should have the right to refuse service to anyone they choose. Aren't there places that don't allow children, women, or men? What's the difference?

And anyone who would go to a place that markets expressly to homosexuals just to harrass people is a bit repressed, IMHO

[Kordax]

A private business should have the right to refuse service to anyone they choose.


As private businesses did during the heydays of Jim Crow.

Check into the evolution of public accommodation laws .....

[snarkalicious]

then how do you explain "men only" clubs, or the NAACP?

[Kordax]

then how do you explain "men only" clubs, or the NAACP?

"Men only" clubs, especially golf clubs were (and still are) on the defensive with most being forced to admit women. And the NAACP was originally run by White women & has an open membership policy that's race neutral.

I'm not saying I agree with that but it's the way of the world when you have a public or many times even a private accommodation type of organization ....

[Felix]

*pondering*

"Tom McFeely?"

*Stifles Self*

[footylicious]

Heh. Thanks, Marvell.

[daworm]

A private business should have the right to refuse service to anyone they choose.

Just try to open a "Whites Only" hotel and see how far you get. Or even a "Heterosexuals Only" hotel.

Run this by your offensive-meter: "When large numbers of blacks or even latinos are in the hotel that changes the atmosphere and many white men can feel uncomfortable." Would that stand?

[legaltender]

This a pub with an intrusive velvet rope policy. Has nothing to do with guest rooms.

The inherent hypocrisy led a syndicated columnist to comment: "The Australian tribunals decision is tantamount to Rosa Parks demanding whites be required to sit at the back of the bus."

[Jay]

This is one of the stupidest things I've ever read... I can't believe they could get away w/ that... I'd love to see a club try to be just for heterosexuals... Wonder if that'd fly over there as well...