You just can’t buy that kind of negative publicity.
Earlier this week, staffers at a restaurant near Johannesburg, South Africa were caught denying two journalists a table at the establishment during “date night,” unaware that the men were posing as a gay couple.
Related: Donald Trump erupts on Twitter after scathing review of namesake restaurant
Not that this should come as much of a surprise to anyone familiar with the place. A text from the establishment, sent out after potential customers make a reservation for “date night,” clearly states that same-sex couples aren’t welcome.
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After Eyewitness News journalists Clement Manyathela and Victor Magwedze were turned away, the owner of the restaurant told News24 “the reason for stating ‘no same-sex couple’ is not meant to discriminate against anyone, but to control a couple’s event.”
The South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) is investigating the incident, with spokesperson Gushwell Brooks emphasized that the Constitution’s equality clause makes it clear that discrimination based on sexual orientation is not acceptable.
Related: Diner Overhears Table Discussing “Awful, Gay Nephew;” What Happens Next May Surprise You.
“There are numerous establishments that still refuse entry or services to people based on their sexual orientation and that this is obviously in breach of our right to equality,” he says.
Watch:
ChrisK
Yep. Clearly breaking the law.
dwes09
‘“the reason for stating ‘no same-sex couple’ is not meant to discriminate against anyone, but to control a couple’s event.”’
This seems so obviously disingenuous! In what way are same-sex couples not couples?
The only way to have a “heterosexuals only” event would be to create a private membership club, and then a member’s only night in which nobody from the general public was allowed entry.
GayEGO
I guess the restaurant owners do not understand anything, What is a couple? What is discrimination? No same sex couples but different sex couples are OK? Does that mean a trans-woman and a trans-man are OK?
Maybe the restaurant should state – no couples are permitted, singles only.
Roan
South Africa.
multitasker
This short article was hard to follow due to lax editing. You guys need to clean up your grammar and punctuation so that your stories say what they’re supposed to.
DMRX
You must be new here.
I wouldn’t hold my breath hoping for such.
captainburrito
They failed at questioning her. They were using circular reasoning. You need to cut to the chase and get to the rationale of these rules. “Rules” are not self justifying for can they trump the law. They even admit that they are not deciding for other patrons so wtf is the reason for the rule?
Louis
This was clear discrimination its beyond obvious.