Loading ...Minnesota Agency says “Ladies Night” discriminates
The new head of the Minnesota Department of Human rights James Kirkpatrick has only held the postition since June 1st and has already accused at least five bars and restaurants in the state of discriminating against men with “Ladies Nights” promotions. The ever popular “Ladies Nights” promotions typically offer free or reduced priced drinks only to women for the duration of the promotion. Kirkpatrick is accusing these establishments of denying men the right for full enjoyment of the establishments goods on the basis of gender.
Although the department is aware of the popularity of “Ladies Night” promotions and that the goal is to attract both sexes, according to Commissioner James Kirkpatrick in a memo to Reuters, “It is the Department of Human Rights’ position that ‘ladies’ night’ is illegal. Gender based pricing violates the Human Rights Act.”
This is not the first time in Minnesota history where a drinking establishment has been accused of discrimation against men on the basis of a “Ladies Night” promotion. In 1994, a Mall of America club was accused of making Apple Valley native, Steve Horner, pay cover charge during a female based free cover charge promotion. The department ruled in favor of discrimation and Horner was awarded just under $500.
The department is actively pursuing the cases of the five Minneapolis-St. Paul drinking establishments that have been accused of gender discrimination. The identities of these establishments remain private until all cases are closed.
Tell us what you think about this issue!
Fed Up Citizen 07/28/10 at 10:27am
True, discrimination is wrong; HOWEVER, there are much more important issues be dealt with – much more president than the issue of a Ladies Night discounted promotion, Oh….here’s a fix to that…a Men’s Night discounted promotion or plainly; just quit your whining.. No big deal, it’s fixed, now move onto important things. Child and adult abuses such as; kidnapping, molesting, raping, negelect, terrorist harrassment and murders. How about taking care of the drunk drivers that are “allowed” to continue their horrible habit! How about taking care of job and housing issues! How about taking care of the health care problems; people working most of their lives, then have a health problem and are now unable to get covered and then there are the out-rageous health costs that are much higher than they should be because our government “allows” those “businesses” to stick-it-to all of us! There are so many more issues to be taken care of then something whiny like Ladies Night (oh-goodness if you have to pay full price for your date…uhm)! And these are Human Rights issues (much more so then the price of a drink), because we all have the RIGHT to lead a better life than abuse and murder and being able to have health care coverage and not to be ripped off for it!!!!! So, stop wasting time and money on these pathetic issues!
AGREED 07/28/10 at 1:43pm
I agree with Fed Up.
PC Resident 07/29/10 at 1:03am
I wish this story included some of the background – this lawsuit was filed by a guy named Steve Horner who is not even from Minnesota and has never visited any of the five bars listed in the suit. He goes from state to state targeting establishments (and consequently state laws) on this matter. You guys are both right, it’s a waste of money and a total scam (and can put bars out of business). But of course the state is required to investigate or take action… it’s not really Kirkpatrick’s fault – hopefully he’ll demonstrate quickly that this is a total fraud. By the way, Steve’s brother Tom is running for Governor as the candidate for the Independence Party. Maybe this is just a publicity stunt since Tom has only been drawing about 10% support in recent polls. Bad press is still press, no?
PCResident 07/30/10 at 7:36am
I think this is completly stupid!! Ladies night is to get women into the bars, yes, but it also attracts men…cause where are all the women? At the bars with Ladies Night. The guys get to buy cheaper drinks, the girls who buy their own get cheaper drinks, the bars make business….everyone’s happy!!!!
BecciB 07/31/10 at 8:13am
I would imagine this man is single…?! What a whiner.