Audrey Vachon, a Canadian woman who was asked to leave Montreal’s Bar Le Stud when she sat down to have a drink with her father on the patio because of their “men only” policy, has filed a complaint with Quebec’s Human Rights Tribunal, reports CTV.
Said Vachon: “On the spot I didn’t believe it, I thought it was a bad joke. I didn’t say a word until I’d left. I was too shocked. I was embarrassed, I was humiliated, I felt guilty that I’d even gone there, like I’d done something wrong.”
According to CTV, “A spokesperson with Montreal’s Gay Chamber of Commerce said Le Stud may have made an error and that the group wants Quebec’s Charter of Rights respected.”
The incident comes on the heels of a recent ruling over a similar situation in Melbourne, Australia, where popular gay spot The Peel Hotel was awarded the right by a court to bar heterosexuals from the premises.
As in Australia, feelings appear to be mixed about the situation, with some saying there should be a place where gay men can go and be able to be themselves, and others, like Peter Sergakis, another Montreal bar owner, saying it’s time for the policy to go: “This should not be happening, it’s like going back 20 years ago when the gays were intimidated in straight bars. I’m sure the owner is going to change the habits. This is not acceptable in 2007.”
It’s unclear what the outcome of Vachon’s complaint may be.
Montreal gay bar under fire for barring women [ctv]
Woman lodges human rights complaint after being evicted from gay bar [canada.com]
