In style Sacramento LGBTQ membership bans all MAGA gear
An LGBTQ membership in Sacramento, California, is banning all “MAGA-related apparel” after a patron wore a “Make America Nice Once more” hat to the favored venue.
The phrase and its acronym — particularly when emblazoned on crimson baseball caps — have been well-liked amongst Donald Trump’s supporters because the president’s first time period.
Badlands proprietor TJ Bruce introduced the brand new coverage on the membership’s Instagram web page this week, saying the hat “led to discomfort amongst some patrons.”
“We initially determined to ban all political apparel to keep away from additional points. Nonetheless, after cautious consideration, we’ve realized {that a} blanket ban shouldn’t be the fitting method,” the introduced stated. “Shifting ahead, MAGA-related apparel is not going to be allowed within the venue. This determination shouldn’t be about banning political views — it’s about making certain that Badlands stays an area the place our neighborhood feels comfy and supported.”
The client who donned the MAGA hat, Steven Bourasa, stated it was the primary time he’d worn the hat to a homosexual bar.
“I stated, ’What the heck? Let’s see what occurs,’” he advised native NBC affiliate KCRA-TV in an on-camera interview.
Bourasa added that he had a “nice time” at Badlands and bumped into no issues, so he thought the night time went nicely and was stunned to listen to of the brand new coverage.
Reactions to the membership’s new coverage have been blended.
The Sacramento chapter of Log Cabin Republicans, a homosexual conservative group, referred to as the coverage “a disappointing transfer that prioritizes division over the basic American precept of free speech.”
“Whereas non-public companies have the fitting to implement their very own insurance policies, selecting to exclude people primarily based on political expression contradicts the very values of inclusivity and open dialogue that the LGBTQ+ neighborhood has lengthy fought for,” the group wrote in an Instagram publish. “True equality shouldn’t be about silencing opposing views however about creating areas the place various views can coexist.”
Alice Malmberg, who lives close to Badlands, which is situated within the metropolis’s Lavender Heights “gayborhood,” stated she discovered the choice to ban MAGA apparel on the membership comprehensible.
“Given the present political local weather and what’s been happening and the way the administration has been behaving towards sure teams, particularly the LGBTQ neighborhood, I can perceive why they made that call,” she advised KCRA.
As for Bourasa, he advised KCRA that he’ll proceed to go to Badlands however will maintain his MAGA gear at residence.
