Oxford Hotel: bouncer called me a fag!

[tandum]

i just had to sign up so i could vent :(

just got home from oxford street. wasnt drunk or on drugs or anything like that.

walked into the oxford hotel to see if a mate was still in there to share taxi home

the bouncer pulled on my arm and said i couldnt go in. he was average hieght and stocky with blondish gingery hair

i was confused at first and thought maybe they were closing or something privzate was going on in there

i asked why and he said your not allowed

and i asked why is there something wrong?

and he mumbled "cos your a fag" at me but was smiling at the same time

there was another security guard near by and i looked at him to see if hed just heard it cos i couldnt believe it. really knocked me for six. the other security gaurd either did not hear or was keeping a poker face

i was not remotely drunk or indecent at all and even if i was i dont expect such blantent hatred. tjhe way he was smiling at me really gave me the shivers.

had no choice but keep walking since its not like im going to confront two big security guards / and whod believe me if i tried to talk to managemnt?

sorry to be a sob but its really upset me!

[Cheetah77]

That is just appalling tandum! It's bad enough that we have to face homophobia and verbal abuse at some straight venues, but to face it at our own venues as well is beyond reproach.

[Giorni]

I for one won't be going to the Oxford until it
returns to being gay, Stuff the straights trying to cash in on the gay dollar! I hope that they go bust!

[Christian Taylor]

Wow. That's really appalling. I'd be totally upset too. I have said it many times before, but one of the reasons that Oxford Street has slipped in many people's estimations is nightclub security. Security play such an important role in maintaining the flavour and safety inside a venue. Good security builds a loyal clientelle, and I don't see many places on the strip doing it anymore.

I think you should file an official complaint about this with the Oxford Hotel management. Take this further. Totally. You cannot be complacent about this. Let us know how you go.

I think our community has become very complacent of late - we've gone from activism to consumerism. These are interesting times. I am all for integration, but we need to remember that our spaces are still very precious and there aren't many left. We have to protect them. We can't have bastards like this standing at the door, abusing his power to make him feel like a man.

Hideous. This has me so annoyed!

[Thatguy]

Gosh - according to a quick search on google, an Australian security guard can't:
do this. You can lodge a complaint via the Australian Security Industry Association

http://www.yapa.org.au/youth/facts/securityofficers.php

Written complaints must be sent to the Security Industry Registry, Locked Bag 5099, Parramatta, NSW, 2124.

[Christian Taylor]

thanks Thatguy - i strongly urge you to write to these guys. THIS IS NOT ON.

[Brad]

Agree, you need to put this into writing and send it to the Oxford ASAP.

[danny corvini]

Can we organise a petition?

[mjm078]

sorry - but fill me in.....

the oxford is no longer a homo pub?!? - i have been there since the reno's i.e. a quick beer as i passed through the area but haven't been out for a session for ages..... and thought the clientele was looking a little more "metro hetro" on the few times i had passed through - but i didn't realise it was the goal to make it a hetro domain. Well thats disappointing.........no wonder we are all moving out to the suburbs........ sorry boys but i think the whole "gay strip" thing is yesterday's news - they are not afraid of us anymore :)

the bf and i have been looking at buying a house and its sad to say how many other homo couples we run into trying to snap up the same piece of turf in the inner west. We are turning into the typical alternatives i.e. dad, dad and the two kids (cat and dog).....

Next we will have to part with our disposable income to keep up with jones. geesh!!

[hawaii60]

We stopped going to the Oxford several years ago, after I was manhandled out of there by a homophobic Polynesian doorbitch who then laughed at me, for no reason. Another time a visiting South African friend who was happy and had his arms around my shoulders, but not being overtly sexual, was manhandled by a security guard when he went to buy a drink and we found him outside an hour later having been thrown out of the pub.

We have been going to the Oxford since the mid to late 80s. Guys, the current Oxford is a dive, badly-designed, tiny and really tacky, filled with pissed unattractive and unhappy people. Stay away from there.

Think about it. Reclaim the refurbished and stylish Beauchamp, or try the old standby the Green Park, where you are never made to feel out of place.

[suziegirl]

It’s outrageous that you were refused entry to the Oxford, but the Oxford’s ‘straights’ policy is no different to gay bars that have a ‘male only’ policy.

It doesn’t seem to matter that I am a lesbian, that I am with my girlfriend, or that I am accompanied by gay male friends - girls are not welcome in many gay bars.

Like guys, I go to gay bars as I can socialize with my male gay friends in an environment that is free of homophobes. I also go as I can get away from sleazy straight men who after some lesbian action.


Tandum, you should make a complaint!

To the other people on this thread, before you judge the Oxford consider the discrimination at “gay” bars … and if they exist let me know of any gay bars which welcome everyone from the gay community.

[bretty boi]

I am a young Sydney sider new to the strip ok well since I've been around I've made an impact but still only be on the scene for a good 7months so never got to go to the oxford b4 it closed, and since opening over a month ago I was all excited about going der and in the 3 occasions I have been der I have had nothing but attitude and crude remarks from the security and the place is not gay friendly in any way or form... so if this establishment is going to last the management really need to get der butt in to gear and listen to us the patrons because with out us they can spend any amount of money on the venue but it needs patrons to survive....

And as for suziegirl and the lezbo thing.... I'm the biggest lezbo hag out lol I go to all the events and love to have a good night with the girls and I find.... cherry parties at slide or the bank hotel on a wed night are always fun....

but hey ok the oxford isn’t all that gay friendly but hey we have to just get over it and have fun at any other GAY Friendly venue because truly life is not worth worrying about the people who are trying to put us down ect...

And remember Stonewall is Sydney’s only 7 day a week venue with something happening every night who needs the oxford....

Saturdays 11, 12 and 1am stonewall hotel 'little merdrag' awesome show... check it out...

And guys and gals remember to join bent magazines group here on same same and we'll keep you up to date on all thing bent....

[renael]

Sorry bretty boi, but I must disagree regarding Stonewall. During Mardi Gras weekend, the Stonewall wouldn't let my g/f in because she had heels on. They said it would ruin the floor!

[Sukott]

Hey Everyone,

I was recently out with my flatmate, his girlfriend and our female housemate. We had been to see Groove Armada at The Chinese Laundry and felt like a trip to the strip before retiring. My considerate housemates decided they felt like a trip to The Columbian and I was happy to oblige them.

When we arrived two of us were slightly behind the other two, and my flatmate and his girlfriend were getting some grief from the bouncer because they were straight. His dialogue was something along the lines of, "You guys know this is a gay bar right? And you both certainly don't look gay. You sure you wanna come in here?"

At which point I had arrived and overheard this and stood behind them and waved at the bouncer and said, "Hi. They're with me... I'm the token gay friend." A little tounge in cheek.

His reply, "Well why don't you come over here then and bend you friend over for me and proove it. HAHAH"

We all wandered inside with slightly bemused looks on our faces and reached the bar and all kinda looked at each other as if to say, "Did that just really happen?"

It didn't ruin our night. It didn't really upset me. It was just weird, and not really very funny. It kinda reminded me of being in year 10 all over again..

I guess you could say they were being discriminated against first for being straight (if they were some homophobes from Penrith, that might be ok, but they obviously aren't), and then it proceeded into a dig at me anyway... What's his beef?

[robbie]

I'm loving reading all these stories on the Strip since I'm new to Sydney. I don't think Melbourne was ever this way, or is now, or maybe I was simply blind to such intolerance. The Market, Love Machine, Candy Bar, Xchange, the Grov all love fag hags (apologies for not a better word) straight friends of fags, even mothers of fags. I don't see the problem with letting anybody into a gay establishment as long as they're not homophobic or intolerant of our behaviour in OUR environment.

I think some of us need to start some sort of committee, a community voice that takes in peoples anger and issues with bouncers, prejudice door policies and reports back to clubs in a professional and calm manner where all opinions can be raised and discussed.

I also think bouncers need to simply shut their mouths.. they're there to ensure our comfortability and our safety and their opinions and bad jokes should be kept to themselves. It's simply unacceptable, especially in the gay capital of Oz.

[genkij]

surely ...it all adds up to BAD Business .... & all incidents should be reported to Management.
I, BF & 2 fag friends were made to wait while others went into the Colombian when the bouncer mis heard something I said to another patron .... this was during the Gay games and we just walked. Security on Oxford st needs to be sorted out. I think security should be there to enforce policy BUT NOT decide who gets in ... a door bitch or man with security as back up is the way to go.... & door policy means you check out what the fuck people are wearing not who's holding whos hand....

Bring back the love to clubland PAL-Eze ....

Peace !!


OH & BTW when ever i witness any violence on the strip - It spoils my entire evening. & thats shit !! - Get of the ICE Sydney... it makes everyone turn ....