SB 110-18: Bar Rescue Act of 2022 (Veto Override vote)

[Devout Centrist]

This bill would prevent bars from excluding patrons on the basis of sexual orientation while allowing to advertise themselves to the public as 'gay' or 'straight'.

[Devout Centrist]

Unfriendly.

[Devout Centrist]

Nay

[Devout Centrist]

Accordingly, after this amendment vote is done, I move that the bill be amended by striking sections 3 and 4 in their entirety.

Unfriendly ofc. I think it’s “interesting” to draw an equivalence between fair housing legislation and bar advertisements.

[Devout Centrist]

The South has an antidiscrimination bill that this is clearly directed at that took the language from the Fair Housing Act to ban discrimination in bars, including the same types of discriminatory advertising referenced in the Fair Housing Act. Again, if sexual orientation is not allowed to be a factor in providing service at a bar, then there is no purpose in advertising the bar as a "straight bar" other than to dogwhistle that LGBT customers arent welcome.

I would be more than happy to change the language of the bill to prevent this, as long as there's a carve out for gay, lesbian, and drag bars.

[Devout Centrist]

The South has an antidiscrimination bill that this is clearly directed at that took the language from the Fair Housing Act to ban discrimination in bars, including the same types of discriminatory advertising referenced in the Fair Housing Act. Again, if sexual orientation is not allowed to be a factor in providing service at a bar, then there is no purpose in advertising the bar as a "straight bar" other than to dogwhistle that LGBT customers arent welcome.

I would be more than happy to change the language of the bill to prevent this, as long as there's a carve out for gay, lesbian, and drag bars.

That would violate the equal protection clause.

Okay, then the bill stands as written.

[Devout Centrist]

I find myself agreeing with Mr. R here. You cannot decry the evils of segregation and demand equal accommodations for all, then proceed to churn out a list of exceptions for your favored groups.

Then I think we should go ahead and keep the original language. If someone wants to advertise their cisgender bar, go for it! Just don’t discriminate against customers on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.

[Devout Centrist]

I don't really see how we can get away from bigotry and toward equal treatment for everyone if we keep dividing ourselves on the basis of different, overlapping identity groups.

This bill is meant to prevent bars from excluding people based on divisive, personal identity groups. There will only be one big, beautiful group of boozehounds and bar patrons going forward.

[Devout Centrist]

I don't really see how we can get away from bigotry and toward equal treatment for everyone if we keep dividing ourselves on the basis of different, overlapping identity groups.

This bill is meant to prevent bars from excluding people based on divisive, personal identity groups. There will only be one big, beautiful group of boozehounds and bar patrons going forward.

This bill is literally authorizing the exclusion of people based on personal identity groups.

It allows bars to advertise themselves on a similar basis, but not exclude those patrons on the basis of those divisive characteristics. Frankly, I like the idea of drinking at a gay bar; I prefer to be happy when I drink.

[Devout Centrist]

Unfriendly.

[Devout Centrist]

I didn't know that "straight bars" were a thing. This bill seems like it's both-sides-ing bars to uphold bars which divide on the basis of identity.

No, but “gay bars” do exist and if this bill passes with your amendment, the regions may be able to ban them per se on the grounds that they advertise themselves as a gay bar. This would be possible even if these establishments allow straight patrons to be served.

[Devout Centrist]

Of course, we know that the Feds do want to ban gay bars.

Yes, well, their (Southern) bill bans straight bars as well, of which there are a sum total of (0) in existence as of today. It’s all perfectly equal, you see.

[Devout Centrist]

Aye

[Devout Centrist]

Mr. Speaker, I rise to call for a vote to override the President’s veto of this bill. It is critical that this body stand in full and unequivocal support of LGBT people in this country, no matter what region they may reside in.

[Devout Centrist]

Aye