A popular gay bar in West Hollywood has barred hen nights – in the US they’re called bachelorette parties – from taking place there, at least until marriage equality in reinstated in California.

The Abbey, which was frequented by Hollywood legend Elizabeth Taylor in the years before her death, is sometimes described as “the best gay bar in the world.”

The bar’s owner and founder David Cooley denies its new ban on hen nights is discriminatory. “It’s great to see my straight women coming in and celebrating with their girlfriends,” he says of his venue, which welcomes a mixed range of patrons.

”(But) as I kept seeing this, it was hurtful to me being gay, as well as my clientele, that we could not have that same type of a celebration.”

Over the past 22 years, The Abbey has been a place that accepts everyone, gay, straight, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and everything in between, he adds. “We love our straight girlfriends and they are welcome here, just not for bachelorette parties.”

Cooley hopes other gay-owned venues around America will follow The Abbey’s lead until marriage equality is legal “everywhere for everyone.”

See David Cooley interviewed on CNN below.