A coffee shop in Fargo, North Dakota has banned lawmakers who voted down legislation that would have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation
A coffee shop in Fargo, North Dakota has banned lawmakers who voted down legislation that would have banned discrimination based on sexual orientation, reports WDAZ.
An image posted on The Red Raven Espresso Parlor's Facebook page – which has since been flagged and removed – showed a sign announcing that “the listed Men & Women are now banned from entering this establishment.” It included the photos and names of those who voted against the legislation unless “accompanied by a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer, Intersex or Asexual person” as published in the INForum newspaper (below).
Red Raven worker-owner Joe Curry told the Independent that he wanted to use humor to make a serious point and to show support for his customers, whom he described as mostly “lefties”.
“The ban was, I thought, very tongue in cheek, requiring them to be escorted by someone from the LBGT community. I hope that they thought about it, at least, and I hope some of them giggled. But in the end, they are all welcome here.”
He added that although there were some very vocal critics “using some language that was slightly hurtful”, the Red Raven has received an outpouring of love on social media.
