Boystown Gay Bar Bans Bachelorette Parties

[ccharles000]

CHICAGO (AP) -- Bar owner Geno Zaharakis sat one busy evening at the window of his gay nightclub, watching as groups of straight women celebrating bachelorette parties made their way along a strip of bars in Chicago's gay-friendly "Boystown" neighborhood.

That's when he made a decision now posted for all to see: "No Bachelorette Parties."

Though the small sign has been there for years, it's suddenly making a big statement amid the national debate over gay marriage. While most gay bars continue to welcome the raucous brides to be, Zaharakis's bar Cocktail is fighting for what he sees as a fundamental right, and his patrons - along with some peeved bachelorettes - are taking notice.

"I'm totally losing money because of it, but I don't want the money," Zaharakis said. "I would rather not have the money than host an event I didn't believe in."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/06/15/boystown-gay-bar-bans-bac_n_215872.html

[donco6]

1. Before you get all riled up, read the previous posts here:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=221&topic_id=138686&mesg_id=138686

It might avoid rehashing this all over again.

[taterguy]

2. Buzzkill

:mad:

[Richard Steele]

3. OK, this is a story i'm just gonna stay well away from.

I honestly don't know what the hell to think about this story.

I'm gonna bookmark this, and then back away slowly, without comment.

[kestrel91316]

4. I totally get it. Good for him. I briefly considered a discount for gays

only at my practice (and I'm straight - how's that?) as a show of solidarity. I don't think it would be illegal, but it bears more looking into.

If it's not illegal to discriminate AGAINST them, how could it be illegal to discriminate in their favor?

[Party Person]

5. This is just wrong

From what I understand They are actually barring women at the door from entering the premises. As far as I know, that's illegal discrimation.

[taterguy]

6. Was it wrong when the Cave barred bar golfers?

What's the difference?

[Ms. Toad]

7. They are not barring women - they are barring

a particular kind of party (the composition of which may include women, men, gay, straight, married, and single).

Discrimination is only illegal when it is directed against members of a protected class. Attendees at a bachelorette party are not a protected class (particularly since there is no reason, in this day and age, to assume that only members of one gender or sexual orientation will be involved).

[DefenseLawyer]

8. I understand the sentiment

But it is obviously illegal to bar women from a public accommodation.