News Mar 22, 2012 at 4:00 am

Does Portland's Only Gay Strip Club Discriminate Against Women?

Comments

1
Discrimination is bad, but take into consideration that straight people have an annoying habit of taking over and ruining gay clubs and districts. It's not the GLBTQ's fault that straight clubs usually suck, we don't take over your crappy bars and clubs.
2
@1 here here, us straight-ys have plenty of places to drink (and stare at naked men,) we don't need to be in the bath houses or clubs like the Silverado.

Also, $2 charge to get into Mary's. HAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHHAHAHA
3
It is curious that the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, a state agency, would allow a license to an establishment that violates the state's civil rights laws banning discrimination. When the City Club refused to allow women in the 70s, it risked losing its tax exempt status. Silverado could risk losing its liquor ticket.
4
I... could not care less about this issue.
5
There was recently a national news item regarding this same issue at a different bar in a different city. That is why the Portland Mercury is running this story. They are attempting to make an issue out of a non-issue. Ladies wanna see a naked man? Lose some weight and quit hanging out with gay guys. I loathe f*g hags.
6
Excuse me? Did you just remove my comment?

It's cool, Alex, I'll type it again:

There was recently a national news item regarding this exact same issue. It concerned a different gay bar in a different city, however. That is why the Portland Mercury is running this story. They are attempting to make an issue out of a non-issue.

I think this was the part you didn't like, Alex: Ladies, if you want to see a naked man, lose some weight and quit hanging out with gay guys. I loathe f*g hags.
8
This has always bothered me. Many ladies come here with their gay male friends as acts of solidarity and friendship. Not to mention, creating a boy's only club effectively excludes other members of the queer community who's gender doesn't conform to the expectation of management. How ironic that a club designed to promote inclusivity for gay men actively hurts and discriminates against those who do not fit into gender norms. LAME MOVE SILVERADO!
9
Aaah yes, I've been waiting for this to come up. Is this discrimination, probably. But it IS a gay club. (Didja get the GAY part?) It would be nice to have a GAY club (just one, mind u...we only have one) where one can go watch hot guys swing their wangs on stage for money, BUT FOR THE FACT that while there, one has to attempt to hold on to one's drink while inserting both fingers into one's ears because the 6 females right in front of you are screaming and giggling like 14 year olds at a slumber party. Add to THAT a need to hold one's nose because they simply WREAK of the most fowl smelling perfume known to man, AS WELL AS the need to hop around like a Mexican jumping bean to keep out from under their feet because they're constantly bumping into you and stepping on your feet, and you've got a real juggling act on your hands. Silverado being tough on chicks? Boo-Frickity-Hoo! You (ladies) can go to almost any bar in town at some point and get cheaper booze than men, "Ladies Nights" when men have to pay and you get in for free, as well as free drinks basically ANYWHERE, ANY TIME simply by wearing a low-cut blouse and speaking the words "You come here often". Jesus! Feel bad for the ladies? H*ll no, these days I feel bad for most straight men cuz they have to put up with this sh*t to get a little. I'm so sorry you've got to pay two bucks more to get into a GAY club. How about this....START A WOMEN'S CLUB AND HIRE SOME MALE STRIPPERS. Ever wonder why there aren't any? Maybe it's because a room packed full of sexually competitive and repressed females all in competition with one other yet completely unwilling to put out would be a complete SH*T-SH*W!! And if they charged men more to get in, who effin' cares? Why the f*k would we (f*gs) want to go? Well, perhaps to watch cat-fights among the female patrons? Oh yeah....I'd cough up $25 cover for that!
10
Coming from the perspective of a [straight-identified] guy who had no idea that the Silverado was even a STRIP club, i've gotta say that it's pretty effing weak and lame that they'd have such a policy, what with charging women more just b/c cause they're women.



"Silverado manager Imer Rodriguez didn't return several requests seeking comment and an explanation of the policy's origins."


Yeah, and the fact that the guy in charge can't even defend this in public says ALOT! You'd think certain folks would KNOW better - sadly not.

Also, the idea that a straight guy would go to a gay club PRETENDING to be gay, just so he can hit on the few women there, i find a bit far-fetched. I mean, how could such an obvious creepy douche NOT be immediately and loudly called out on some shit like that, the moment he blows his cover?! Plus, i cannot fathom that there is a single guy on Earth ever that has managed to get a woman to sleep with him by pulling such a stunt.
11
Another thing, since the Silverado is indeed very much a gay establishment, are LESBIAN/GAY FEMALES charged the SAME price as their male counter-parts. Could someone answer this question, please?
12
Hets come in from Gresham to gawk at us like zoo animals. I mean, honestly, what is this article's purpose and intention? And why can't women seem to enjoy any kind of sexual entertainment without shrieking at the top of their lungs and making a big show out of themselves? I do feel sorry for lesbians or girls who go in with their gay friends. But, honestly I feel sorrier for the bar that you've bashed them with this terrible, one sided article that sets about to accomplish god knows what.
13
Are you people also aware that there is a strip club next door with the sign, "Male dancers. Ladies only?" Of course not, because that wouldn't fit your narrative.
14
"Hets come in from Gresham to gawk at us like zoo animals."



Uhmmmmm.......

You're on an elevated stage naked swinging around a brass pole for money - and you're complaining about being "gawked" at like a zoo animal?! I THOUGHT THE VERY CONCEPT OF BEING A STRIPPER WAS TO GET PEOPLE TO GAWK AT YOU AND GIVE YOU MONEY!!!!!
15
Thanks for writing about this important issue. Next, let's get expose articles written about: more expensive hair cuts for women vs. men; "women call free" 1-900 numbers; when bartenders serve the hot girl instead of the guy even though he's been waiting at the bar longer; dress codes; clubs that have lines; SIN nights; ticket prices when you buy at the door vs. in advance; and mininum purchase requirements for using debit cards. SO. MUCH. DISCRIMINATION.
16
I (gay gal) have been to Silverado a couple of times - not my scene, but the guys have always been great.

But yeah - I have also seen gaggles of straight female bachelorette party-goers invade, squealing, making fun of the guys, and behaving as if they were at the monkeyhouse at a Zoo - only really really drunk. No, it isn't illegal, but it sure was clueless, disrespectful and annoying. As it so often is when heterosexuals invade queer space and forget their basic humanity. You can't legislate good manners, alas. Nor can you school the totally clueless in what it's like to only have a few bars on town where you feel safe.

What the staff SHOULD do is post a couple of pictures of the restroom by the front door - I think that would keep away the tourists, and the faint at heart. (Sorry, Silverado, your staff and patrons are adorable - but your restroom is pretty disgusting.)
17
As a gay man I find the name Lake Perriguey embarrasing. Diversity is exhausting and bullshit.

Everyone stops being interested in diversity at some point and starts to hang out in small communities of like minded individuals because there is comfort and support in knowing you do not have to keep explaining the same idea over and over and over again.

Ask a gay man who is not dating how much he enjoys explaining to people that he is not straight when they assume he is and try to set him up with women they know.

Ask a woman how much she enjoys explaining that she is not wearing an outfit to be hit on or called a slut but because she just felt like wearing some fun clothes and some men do not understand that.

Ask a vegan how much they enjoy cowboy culture at a rodeo and barbaque.

Ask anyone how much they like Vanilla Ice.

There is your fucking diversity. Celebrate it. Then cry about it and grow the fuck up and realize that not everyone wants to be around everyone else's crazy 24 fucking 7 and we all need a few non diverse places to chill out or get crazy or whatever so we can go back into the loud and frantic and diverse world and tolerate the differences of others.
18
How much are trans-people charged. Or drag queens? Discrimination is messy business. I think Silverado should simply bring back the hard core gay male porn. Or simply ban engagement/wedding parties. Blaming women generally, and penalizing them publicly, for poor management is not consistent with the law.
19
I understand how shitty it is that random trouble-makers sometimes go into bars/clubs that they probably might not have any business being in. I don't think this happens a whole lot; your standard spray-tan jock tool won't typically go into a club on Goth night, and a redneck won't typically go into a hip-hop club, etc..

But instead if charging people different prices for entrance - which is BRAZINLY ILLEGAL, btw - how about if security/staff kept a closer look out on people who start shit? Also, some clubs (on certain nights, at least) can enforce a dress-code. Obviously nothing that singles out people by race - b/c that's total fucking bullshit and any place that does that shit outta be called-out and boycotted.

But for example, if a club has a monthly Fetish night, then usually Fetish dress or similar is strongly enforced. It's a good pragmatic rule, it doesn't come close to crossing any legal or ethical boundaries, and it helps keep the riff-raff out.
20
lagojaime - "How much are trans-people charged. Or drag queens?"

Hello? It's only logical that if guys are $3 and girls are $5, then the answer to your question is $4.
21
@DamosA #19:

"But instead if charging people different prices for entrance - which is BRAZINLY ILLEGAL, btw"

OK, so are you going to start going after movie theaters, the symphony, the Portland Opera, etc etc that charge different prices for entrance based on age? Using your strict interpretation, student discounts, senior discounts, etc. are also BRAZENLY ILLEGAL.
22
I think everyone in Portland, regardless of orientation, should be charged extra for entering any bar and that money be put together in a special fund to finance my next binge. But seriously, would anybody but a real tool care about this? So what, the bar charges chicks more, "but it's illegal!" scream the whiny entitled crowd. Two dollars? That's what you're upset about? If you're upset about that, it probably means you weren't planning to stuff it in anyone's G-string.
23
Re: Damosa -- hey, our favorite commenter has a valid point! The whole point of a strip club is its utter shallowness. Those gawking heterosexual women paying 200 pennies for more for admission to Silverado than their gawking male counterparts are simply validating the whole point of taking your clothes off for money -- it's not about your SAT scores, it's about your other measurements. Now, if you did it for free as a public service, okay, then the gawking might be considered oafish. In fact, if you plan on doing it for free, please post when and where.
24
This is a silly issue, it's a gay strip bar, let them charge a whole $2 more for women. Not as fair to lesbians but it is a male gay strip bar, so not as fun for them. Leave Silverado alone!

My point to ladies night though...not necessarily defending it, but it is designed to attract more women so the place won't be a sausage fest. I really don't think horrible places like the Dixie and Barracuda would really have a problem with women showing up a paying, that is the theory behind "ladies night." Get over it guys, seriously. Or just don't go to these places and object. Bitching and whining is just stupid considering how long this has been around.
25
"OK, so are you going to start going after movie theaters, the symphony, the Portland Opera, etc etc that charge different prices for entrance based on age? Using your strict interpretation, student discounts, senior discounts, etc. are also BRAZENLY ILLEGAL."


Ok, since you soo obviously missed my point, let my qualify it for you: WHAT I WAS SPECIFICALLY REFERRING TO IS THE FACT THAT IT IS ILLEGAL TO CHARGE PEOPLE DIFFERENT PRICES BASED UPON RACE/GENDER/RELIGION/NON-RELIGION/SEXUAL ORIENTATION/POLITICAL AFFILIATION/etc.

But more to the point and topic of the article, i was re-iterating the fact that it is illegal for a club to routinely charge men and women different prices. It's called DISCRIMINATION, HELLO? Even for someone with such poor reading comprehension, it ought not be difficult to figure out.
26
"This is a silly issue, it's a gay strip bar, let them charge a whole $2 more for women. Not as fair to lesbians but it is a male gay strip bar, so not as fun for them. Leave Silverado alone!"



I see that you think of gender discrimination as a trivial issue. Perhaps then you wouldn't think it would be such a big deal then, say, if Silverado were to start charging Black men $2 more than White man, right?

Just keep in mind, that Jews in Germany were at one point being made to pay more. Blacks in the South were made to pay more, etc. This is how these things get started see. But since YOU think this stuff is all just abuncha silly hooie, then you ought not complain when they come for YOU!
27
Damosa:

From the article "According to the Oregon Public Accommodations Act, AKA the "Equality Act," it's "illegal to discriminate in places of public accommodation on the basis of race, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, or age."

Note the last word. Age.

If you have a problem with Silverado's policy, then you should also have a problem with every institution that offers discounts for seniors, students, and children.
28
like this is SO Old News.. or perhaps the person writing hasn't lived in portland long. Im a 38 yo chick who has had male friends that danced there in the early 90s.. it was always known that the owner didn't dig chicks.. in fact, even when my mom and her friends (gay males AND lesbian females) would party there it was still kind of an issue... that's just how it is.. who cares.. isn't the joke that there's tons of fag hags anyway.. like let a place be how it wants.. how many chicks go to strip bars because they dig it? More like they think they can hang w the boys... whatever. Go to embers
29
@DamosA

You said: "Just keep in mind, that Jews in Germany were at one point being made to pay more. Blacks in the South were made to pay more, etc. This is how these things get started see. But since YOU think this stuff is all just abuncha silly hooie, then you ought not complain when they come for YOU!"

Are you serious? Lol... Alex and her faggot lawyer friend are not going to go any further with this issue. It isn't an issue. Silverado will continue to be unwelcoming to women and straight men. That's how the owner likes. It's how I like it, and it's how the regular customers whose dollars keep the place running like it.

30
Fine then. Continue to be APART of the problem. Continue to willfully discriminate against over half the population, whilst simultaneously demanding EQUAL rights for yourself.

Hypocritical, much eh?
31
@DamosA I like fucking men and I don't like women getting in my way. Who said anything about equal rights? I am not here supporting equal rights for anyone.
32
And since when has ANY woman ever cock-blocked you, eh?
33
I think Silverado should pay ME to come to their bar!!! That's not discrimination, that's justice!! Smooches, everyone.
34
Way to derail into idiocy.
35
I can see that many of you folks are wanting to make this into something that's way more complected than it ought to be. So let's see if i can condense this into a nice, easy-to-understand little summary for yall: WHAT PART OF GENDER DISCRIMINATION DO YOU NOT UNDERSTAND?
36
What part of shut the fuck up do you not understand.

I liked it better when the FBI had your computer.
37
@31 It's Damosa. Seriously dude.
38
@36

Word.
39
Word. Wow, dont you think all this obsessing over damosa is coming off as more than a little pathetic, Geo? Find a new hobby. For instance, i know about this one rapper....
40
FBI, huh? What are you talking about? Don't change the subject.
41
If you get upset about there being the kind of people you don't want there to be at a club downtown on a saturday night (or any night really), get over it. They will always be there. Maybe there needs to be more gay (male oriented) clubs around town -- that's another issue. People should be charged the same price -- whether it's at Silverado or at Dirty charging $10 for men and nothing for women.
42
I think I get why they charge women extra, besides the obvious. Most women are HORRIBLE tippers! So charge em an extra 2 bucks. If women would start actually tipping like men do, maybe they would be charging an extra 2 bucks.

Honestly, like someone else said, if you are going to whine about 2 dollars, maybe you shouldn't be out spending that money.

This is a really petty issue to be crying about.

Fuck-A, let the gay men have their cake and eat it too! You assholes!
43
"SEXTON: Each week, Fridays and Saturdays are "Men's Night Out"—just like a ladies' night. Every other day of the week, the entry price is the same for everyone."

"We require a nominal fee because we don't want people just coming in to oogle and leave. We need to make a profit!"

Q: How are these two statements related? A: Not at all!

And if no one even cares enough to report it, why the hell should we?
44
Gender-based price differentials are wrong.
45
@ToddMecklem No, they aren't. Allowing Americans to be deluded into thinking they are welcome anywhere they go, is wrong.
46
what. what about ladies nights?! I get in free all the time to clubs in our fine city while guy friends have to pay or often just paying a couple bucks more. that's so silly I don't see why its such a big deal to turn the tables.
47
For all you folks who see nothing wrong with the genderism that Silverado practices, let me ask you this:

Why would the club's manager NOT be willing to speak to the Merc. and go on record as defending such a policy? Because it is indefensible and he damn-well knows it!

Please wait...

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