The Velvet Rope: Discrimination?

[Johnny Fontane]

Let me begin by saying that I have no desire whatsoever to go to any of these exclusive nightclubs that pick and choose the beautiful people they let in.

Now, with that said, I can't understand why these clubs are allowed to get away with discrimination. Let's say I own a diner, and I'm only interested in serving what I consider "upscale clientele." If I tried to keep people out, wouldn't I be sued for discrimination in a heartbeat?

I'm sure these clubs are not doing anything illegal. Perhaps they are private establishments, which is why they can be "selective." However, can the owner of a diner say "my place is private"? Can he or she keep people out? I don't think so.


http://www.grandinotizie.it/image/g/000/00040.jpg
"The principal benefit acting has afforded me is the money to pay for my psychoanalysis."

This message was edited by Johnny Fontane on 12-20-03 @ 1:03 PM

[TooCute]

They're private.

<img src="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/bans/toocute3.gif">

[keithy_19]

All I know is that Too Cutes Mod thing scares me...

http://members.aol.com/thetoddsterlsp/sigpics/keithbobeefy1.gif

One thing I've never said. I'm truly happy in my heart and in my head...

[Johnny Fontane]

They're private.



I'm sure these clubs are not doing anything illegal. Perhaps they are private establishments, which is why they can be "selective." However, can the owner of a diner say "my place is private"? Can he or she keep people out? I don't think so.



http://www.grandinotizie.it/image/g/000/00040.jpg
"The principal benefit acting has afforded me is the money to pay for my psychoanalysis."

[TooCute]

Actually I guess unless you can prove that they're discriminating based on age or race, they can discriminate away.

<img src="http://www.chaoticconcepts.com/bans/toocute3.gif">

[furie]

leave janet out of this.


<img src="http://tseery.homestead.com/files/ghostrider.jpg" height=100 width=300>
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[sr71blackbird]

I know most places have a sign that reserves their right to refuse service to certian people. Say a stinky wino rolls in, and he stinks of wine and all kinds of funky shit, dont the other customers have a right to NOT smell his effluent? My friend was booted (rather forecefully) from a club (not a "membership") because he had on a baseball cap. They told him to take it off, and he did, but before he was going to leave he put it back on to walk out and the bouncer grabbed him and threw him around a while. Seems they have a policy of no baseball hats. Now, if a club had a policy that said no Blacks, or no Orientals, I think that thered be a problem. Wasnt there something a few years back about the Frairs Club because they didnt admit women, and they caused a rukus and now they can go in?

<center>
http://www.osirusonline.com/sr71.gif </center>


<center><B>My Thanks to Reefdwella for the sig-pic!</B></center>

<center><B><strike>Folgers and Lava</strike></B></center>

<marquee behavior=alternate><font size=1>( o Y o )</marquee>

[furie]

http://www.fighting69th.com/images/nina2.jpg


<img src="http://tseery.homestead.com/files/ghostrider.jpg" height=100 width=300>
MERRY CHRISTMAS!

[Arienette]

i really don't know much about this, but i'd imagine it's as too cute said. privately owned places are going to get a lot of latitude in choosing their policies. unless they are discriminating on the basis of race, gender, or certain other such characteristics, they're probably ok. i don't know that the right to go to a posh club and brush elbows with celebrity is ranked very highly on the scale of individual liberties.

i've always wanted to get all decked out and try to get into one of those places, just to see if i could.

<center><img src="http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/aripenguin.gif" height=100 width=300</img><br>sometimes the wind blows through the trees<br>and i think i hear you calling me<br>but all i see is snow</center>

[jamesdiggy]

Being as these clubs are usually popular and crowded I imagine they can use safety and maximum occupancy laws as a justification for "discriminately" letting people in the club.

<IMG SRC="http://thereisnogod.faithweb.com/images/diggy.gif">

A Ted Knight in Shining Armor
I am now blessed with an ADF sigpic

[Johnny Fontane]

unless they are discriminating on the basis of race, gender, or certain other such characteristics, they're probably ok.


Exactly - but here is the catch - doesn't this set some type of precedent? For example, let's take my "upscale" diner example. Let's say I constantly turn away black people and I'm charged with discrimination. But then when we go to trial I produce photographs with several of my regular customers: Halle Berry and Denzel Wahington. So obviously I'm not racist, right?

Now back to reality - what it comes down to is this: nightclubs are always going to be allowed to discriminate because it's an accepted practice. It's part of the urban fabric. If I were to bring a lawsuit, it would probably be dismissed as frivolous.

Nonetheless, in the big scheme of things, it's VERY possible that patrons are being excluded (at least in part, from time to time) based on race. When a doorman is allowed to pick and choose, the possibility of racism exists in a very real way. But it's accepted because "that's the way it is" and it's silly to make a fuss.

But make no mistake, that was the exact same mentality of the segregationists.

http://www.grandinotizie.it/image/g/000/00040.jpg
"The principal benefit acting has afforded me is the money to pay for my psychoanalysis."