Reply #25: Miles...

[Dorian Gray]

I think that your final point is something that we should consider: "All I know is that some jag off club owner somewhere in Australia is now going to start excluding Aboriginal People, or women, or gays, and he'll point to this ruling as a justification."

Saying that, I also think that private clubs have a right to exist, and people have a right to include whatever clientele that they might include. It's a sad state.

Why this topic got so inflamed, I do not know. It's an interesting conundrum. I understand the need for both safety and privacy all the while saddened that inclusion isn't the de-facto position. There is a lot of resentment around the world because of prejudiced behavior, and it is warranted in most cases. At the same time, I think that there is sometimes a pre-supposition of bigotry in instances where there isn't necessarily any, and to determine when one must protect his/herself from that bigotry is difficult.

There is a place for a men's only gay club. Obviously. Just as there would be for a women's only lesbian club. But, it saddens me that there would be a demand for such an exclusive place primarily because of the idea of negative sentiment toward their lifestyle.