Bars and clubs hit homophobia
The Surry Hills Liqour Accord is tackling homophobia in its code of conduct for patrons in the inner-city party precinct.
The code — developed by the bar licensees and managers who make up the Accord — is a reminder, to be posted in establishments, for revellers who come to the city to act with respect.
The seven-point list asks patrons to respect those who live in the area, pace their consumption, take directions from staff and “say no to homopbobia and anti-social behaviour”.
“Legally, it is not enforcable. But it is in the sense that anti-social behaviour can lead to criminal behaviour,” Liqour Accord coordinator David Cass said.
“This is not in reaction to anything specific. It’s just a reminder that anti-social behaviour and homophobia are not on in our precinct.
“There are a lot of people who come into our precinct, of all types of philosophies and persuasions, so it is important to provide a reminder that homophobia really isn’t on.”
Whether bar or door staff will intervene when they see incidents of homophobia will be up to individual establishments.
“Some will and some have stepped in over incidents. Some possibly won’t,” Cass said. “Again, it’s a reminder — to some of our members as well.
“It’s not there to specifically tell managers how to direct their door staff. But we do have security companies that are actively involved with the Accord, so it’s getting the message out to them as well.
“The last point of the code is that people will take directions from staff and management. That again gets back to how to address incidents of homophobia. If management and staff respond to an incident, then this reminds people that they need to take note.”
What does Gary Burns know about asking girls for sex? As much as a vegetarian knows about appreciating a good steak. Not a relevant comment regarding the subject at hand though is it. Will he try and sue me!!!
It seems like a well intentioned idea but if it’s hard enough to deal with homophobia, it’s even harder to deal with homophobes who are completely trashed. The solution lies in bar staff, security and the police co-ordinating and enforcing existing laws against excess drinking and resulting violence.
There’s also the issue of gays enjoying unlimited quantities of alcohol which then makes us vulnerable to assault. In other words, if you want 24hr a day pubs, you’ll end up with 24hr a day bashings. Well-meaning protocols won’t stop this.
here here John, Couldnt agree more!
John you care about what I am saying otherwise you would not of spoken to me like you are a 50’s school mistress upset with a child not paying attention in class.
Since when does one have to be relevant with their comment on this forum ?
People don’t even have names yet they dribble on like Mt Vesuvius erupting.
Gary – nobody cares what you have to say …. so please stop speaking and stop pretending to be relevant
Michael – “when will we take note that most people dont care if you are a poof or not”
I have the belief that if something can reduce homophobia its then a good thing as far as im concerned. As it pains me to say this, sometimes we need to get into peoples face if we want results. A sit back and watch attitude often lets homophobes win.
It’s easy to confuse some people Matthew.
If kids at an early age are taught to respect other people’s difference’es gays would not be targeted for violence and homophobia and we wouldn’t need a Liquor Accord Act which wont work.
Ask any gay person bashed Matthew.
I bet they all tell you they didn’t know the fist was coming.
Education is the only way to go when promoting tolerance for minority’s and not silly shenanigans like this.
I’m with Micheal on this one, who really cares what variation of human you are these days? as for violent or anti-social acts which occur throughout this city and it’s reaches and are not limited to any one group – it is unfortunate when it happens to any individual anywhere in the state, regardless of their sexuality… As for Gary’s thoughts on parental care i’m a little confused as to how this will be incorporated into the hotel signage of the above article?
Would the Surry Hills Liquor Accord please introduce their code of conduct into all the state and federal parliaments of Australia, please?
Michael, are you serious?? If that was the case then why is homophobic violence still around, are we just imagining homophobia?? What about our unfair laws towards gay people? – the law certainly cares if you are a poof or not.
Peter follow the bouncing balls more closely.
We need to teach kiddies about the impact of homophobia in Donald Duck school.
This is serious.
If we don’t teach little boys at school to respect little girls when they grow up they do not ask women for sex they just take it.
This is called rape Peter.
This is also serious.
I hope this clears things up for you Peter.
when will we take note that most people dont care if you are a poof or not.
Gary – are you serious?
“Homophobia has to start being taught to children when they are in donald duck school.”
Why the hell would we want to teach children to be homophobic?
Goodness gracious me.
This is no time for levity.
Who’s going to enforce this ?
If I am getting poofa bashed in the street do you think anyone will come to help me ?
They will all run away like a frightened burmese kitten.
If people believe this will dissuade anti-social or homophobic behaviour you all might as well fill up your car with water instead of petrol because it will have the same effect.
Homophobia has to start being taught to children when they are in donald duck school.
I suggest it’s a-bit late when a young man has hair on his legs.