Fargo Coffee Shop ‘Bans’ Anti-Gay Lawmakers Who Voted Against Nondiscrimination Bill

A North Dakota coffee shop has posted a notice that it is banning 56 lawmakers for their vote against an LGBT non-discrimination bill. There’s a bit of a twist, however.

Earlier this month 56 North Dakota lawmakers voted down a bill that would have banned discrimination against LGBT people. It was the third time in six years the bill had died, so one Fargo businessman decided to take a principled stand. After a North Dakota newspaper published a front page article with the names and photos of each of the 56 lawmakers, Joe Curry, who owns and operates the Red Raven Espresso Parlor posted the article and a sign banning the men and women who opted to support discrimination.

Curry wrote:

“Ban effective immediately. The listed Men & Women are now banned from entering this establishment.* This is based solely on age, gender, race, beliefs, color, religion & disability.”

That asterisk points to this statement:

“Unless accompanied by a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer, Intersex or Asexual person.”

His point was simple. He wanted those lawmakers to know what it would feel like to be denied service because of who you are. 

The response was mostly positive, garnering only one negative phone call, but a fair amount of press. And, Curry says, “I got a few hugs and high-fives.” 

“The ban was, I thought, very tongue in cheek, requiring them to be escorted by someone from the LBGT community,” Curry told the AP. “I hope that they thought about it, at least, and I hope some of them giggled. But in the end, they are all welcome here.”

North Dakota’s only openly gay lawmaker, Democratic Rep. Josh Boschee, reportedly a Red Raven regular however, wasn’t thrilled.

“I understand that they are trying to make a point, but I would have done it differently,” he said.

The day after he posted the ban, Curry went on Facebook to clarify that it was satirical, and he would happily serve anyone, even the 56 lawmakers.

“The Red Raven Espresso Parlor wants to clarify that all are welcome in our space. We do not attempt to discriminate,” he wrote. “The intent of our ‘ban’ was to satirize the environment that the legislation created for the LGBTQ+ community by voting against SB 2279. Here at the Raven we have workers and patrons who are included in this community who are directly impacted by this stringent and detached ruling. We stand by these individuals, as they are our families and friends. Its time the legislation affirms what the majority believes to be a fair, human practice of non-discrimination. In short, these 56 individuals are still welcomed into our establishment; however, their action/non-action has impacted far more than 56 individuals. Our ‘ban’ ponders the question, ‘What if that discrimination were re-directed, and reversed?’ All we can confirm is that, either way, it feels icky.”

The Red Raven has a new Facebook page now. 

 

Image via Facebook
Hat tip: Huffington Post and Towleroad