Wahesh
The Forefather of The Kennel
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http://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-02-20/brisbane-woman-turned-away-from-barber-prompts-shock/9462818
Vivien Houston was a regular at Jimmy Rod's Barber Shop in The Gap Village Shopping Centre.
But when she turned up for a trim recently she was turned away because she was female.
Jimmy Rod's managing director James O'Brien said women were not able to have haircuts at the shop because of a new lease agreement he had signed with the local shopping centre management.
"Unfortunately I can't negotiate. That's the centre's rules," he said.
Queensland Civil Liberties Council president Michael Cope said he was amazed this kind of discrimination could happen in 2018, calling it "unbelievable in these modern times".
"You can't refuse to provide a service on the basis of sex."
Mr O'Brien said he was told centre management wanted to prevent competing business for the hairdressing salons in the centre.
Mr Cope, however, said he did not understand the centre management's logic.
"Is it a piece of economics or a piece of morality demanding they do not cut people's hair on the basis of their sex. It is just extraordinary in our times."
He applauded Ms Houston's move to lodge a complaint with the Anti-Discrimination Commission, arguing it was a black and white case that she would win.
It was unclear whether any legal exemptions would apply in this case.
Mr Cope said if the barber shop did cut a woman's hair it would be in technical breach of the lease and would have to argue it was required to break the law because of the unfair contract.
"So that would be a defence to a breach of contract claim," he said.
Hair and Beauty Industry Association chief executive Sandra Campitelli described the competition clause based on gender as "crazy".
"I think the person in this story I feel sorry for is him [the barber]. He signed a lease, it is part of his lease agreement, so that is unfortunate." she said.
"I do not know what he can do about that, given it is a binding lease agreement.
"I would advise any of our member salons to read their leases very carefully and negotiate against that kind of clause in their lease.
"I'd be urging shopping centres to reconsider what they are asking these people to sign."
Ms Campitelli said this was the first time she had heard of a client being turned away because of gender due to a legal clause in a lease.
But she said competition was fierce and the number of barber shops had doubled nationally in the last two years.
She urged the business and the shopping centre to tear up the lease and re-negotiate.
The shopping centre management was contacted for comment.
Ms Houston's story has prompted women from around the country to share their barber experiences on social media.
Gerri McGregor said on Facebook she had the same thing happen to her numerous times when she wanted an undercut from a barber.
"I've gotten the excuse that 'due to lease agreements we can't compete with women's salons' line, but have also been turned away from independent, free-standing, nowhere-near-any-other-business barber shops," she said.
Christine Stirman said she could relate to Ms Houston as something similar had happened to her.
Caitlin Falconer said she had also experienced gender discrimination.
"I've been denied service from a barber in West End and quoted a higher price on a men's style haircut at a Stone's Corner hairdresser because 'it's just what they charge for women'", Ms Falconer said.
But An Mahlou said the complaints were ridiculous.
Emma Filsell said she had no issue with men's-only barbershops.
"As long as they advertise clearly that they are a men's-only barber, what is the issue? Some men are not comfortable with women being present when getting hair treatments," she wrote on Facebook.
"I can't join a female-only gym, how is this any different?" Travis Madden wrote.
"A barber cuts men's hair, hairdressers cut both, not happy with the store go elsewhere, don't cry about it and make a big deal over it because you're offended."
Michelle Wheeler Kop said it was not unusual to have stipulations on lease agreements.
"There are a lot of these agreements with the food industry too. Certain shops can only sell set things," she said.
Vivien Houston was a regular at Jimmy Rod's Barber Shop in The Gap Village Shopping Centre.
But when she turned up for a trim recently she was turned away because she was female.
Jimmy Rod's managing director James O'Brien said women were not able to have haircuts at the shop because of a new lease agreement he had signed with the local shopping centre management.
"Unfortunately I can't negotiate. That's the centre's rules," he said.
Queensland Civil Liberties Council president Michael Cope said he was amazed this kind of discrimination could happen in 2018, calling it "unbelievable in these modern times".
"You can't refuse to provide a service on the basis of sex."
Mr O'Brien said he was told centre management wanted to prevent competing business for the hairdressing salons in the centre.
Mr Cope, however, said he did not understand the centre management's logic.
"Is it a piece of economics or a piece of morality demanding they do not cut people's hair on the basis of their sex. It is just extraordinary in our times."
He applauded Ms Houston's move to lodge a complaint with the Anti-Discrimination Commission, arguing it was a black and white case that she would win.
It was unclear whether any legal exemptions would apply in this case.
Mr Cope said if the barber shop did cut a woman's hair it would be in technical breach of the lease and would have to argue it was required to break the law because of the unfair contract.
"So that would be a defence to a breach of contract claim," he said.
Hair and Beauty Industry Association chief executive Sandra Campitelli described the competition clause based on gender as "crazy".
"I think the person in this story I feel sorry for is him [the barber]. He signed a lease, it is part of his lease agreement, so that is unfortunate." she said.
"I do not know what he can do about that, given it is a binding lease agreement.
"I would advise any of our member salons to read their leases very carefully and negotiate against that kind of clause in their lease.
"I'd be urging shopping centres to reconsider what they are asking these people to sign."
Ms Campitelli said this was the first time she had heard of a client being turned away because of gender due to a legal clause in a lease.
But she said competition was fierce and the number of barber shops had doubled nationally in the last two years.
She urged the business and the shopping centre to tear up the lease and re-negotiate.
The shopping centre management was contacted for comment.
Ms Houston's story has prompted women from around the country to share their barber experiences on social media.
Gerri McGregor said on Facebook she had the same thing happen to her numerous times when she wanted an undercut from a barber.
"I've gotten the excuse that 'due to lease agreements we can't compete with women's salons' line, but have also been turned away from independent, free-standing, nowhere-near-any-other-business barber shops," she said.
Christine Stirman said she could relate to Ms Houston as something similar had happened to her.
Caitlin Falconer said she had also experienced gender discrimination.
"I've been denied service from a barber in West End and quoted a higher price on a men's style haircut at a Stone's Corner hairdresser because 'it's just what they charge for women'", Ms Falconer said.
But An Mahlou said the complaints were ridiculous.
Emma Filsell said she had no issue with men's-only barbershops.
"As long as they advertise clearly that they are a men's-only barber, what is the issue? Some men are not comfortable with women being present when getting hair treatments," she wrote on Facebook.
"I can't join a female-only gym, how is this any different?" Travis Madden wrote.
"A barber cuts men's hair, hairdressers cut both, not happy with the store go elsewhere, don't cry about it and make a big deal over it because you're offended."
Michelle Wheeler Kop said it was not unusual to have stipulations on lease agreements.
"There are a lot of these agreements with the food industry too. Certain shops can only sell set things," she said.
