THE GUERRILLA ANGEL REPORT BY LEXIE CANNES:
AUGUST 10, 2012 • 1:35 AM
by Courtney O'Donnell
State investigates bar after owner tells transgender patrons not to returnhttp://lexiecannes.wordpress.com/2012/08/10/state-investigates-bar-after-owner-tells-transgender-patrons-told-not-to-return/
Trans woman Victoria Nolan told not to come back (Photo: KATU)
Did a supposedly LGBT-friendly bar really kick out their regular transgender patrons? It took a while for all the details to come out, but now after putting the pieces together, I think the bar owner, perhaps somewhat ignorant of the law, simply stepped over the line.
Christopher Penner, the owner of Portland, Oregon's P Club, allegedly left voicemail messages for a transgender patron asking that her regular group of trans people not to come in on Friday nights anymore. Here's a transcript of one of the voicemail messages:
"I've done some investigating why my sales are declining and there's two things I keep hearing: People think that a) we're a ->-bleeped-<- bar or b) we're a gay bar. We are neither. People are not coming in because they just don't want to be there on a Friday night now."
In response to an inquiry by Willamette Week, Penner said this: We don't discriminate for anything other than if they cause business to go down. But that's for anything."
The Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries began its investigation into the matter on Wednesday. Oregon state law bans discrimination due to sexual orientation or gender identity.
You can view the complaint here:
The P Club Faces State Investigation Over Alleged Discrimination Against Gays and Trannsexual Patrons
WATCH: 'I would never spend a dollar in that business again'By Patrick Preston KATU News and
KATU.com Staff
Published: Aug 9, 2012 at 11:26 PM PDT Last Updated: Aug 10, 2012 at 9:21 AM PDT
http://www.katu.com/news/local/P-Club-transgendered-women-discrimination-complaint-165695166.html?tab=video&c=yPORTLAND, Ore. - Three transgendered women called out the owner of a North Portland bar Thursday, saying he left voicemails telling them to stay away.
"I would never spend a dollar in that business again," said Cassandra Lynn.
The transgendered women aren't buying that the P Club welcomes all or that their group of 15 to 20 Friday night regulars cost Penner business.
"They were doing so bad on Fridays – they got wind that we were looking for a place to go and they asked us to come there to help their Friday business."
Oregon state law protects anyone from discrimination because of sexual orientation, but that's not just about sexual preference. It also covers gender identity, and that's why the Bureau of Labor and Industries is now investigating.
