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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2019/jul/06/national-theatre-defends-asking-lesbians-to-leave-bar
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| National Theatre defends asking lesbians to leave bar | National Theatre defends asking lesbians to leave bar |
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| The National Theatre has become embroiled in a bitter war of words after a group of lesbian friends was refused service in the venue’s Green Room bar in the run-up to the Pride in London celebrations. | The National Theatre has become embroiled in a bitter war of words after a group of lesbian friends was refused service in the venue’s Green Room bar in the run-up to the Pride in London celebrations. |
| The women and their supporters claim their treatment at the hands of staff, who called the police, was a response to their campaigning stance on gender identity. Other witnesses in the bar have described their behaviour as disruptive. | The women and their supporters claim their treatment at the hands of staff, who called the police, was a response to their campaigning stance on gender identity. Other witnesses in the bar have described their behaviour as disruptive. |
| The small group, who arrived with placards, included Anne Ruzylo, a political activist and former member of the Bexhill and Battle Labour party, and on Friday night she was one of those who complained on Twitter. | The small group, who arrived with placards, included Anne Ruzylo, a political activist and former member of the Bexhill and Battle Labour party, and on Friday night she was one of those who complained on Twitter. |
| Ruzylo, who was wearing a T-shirt bearing the slogan “Lesbian: a woman who loves other women”, tweeted that staff at the Green Room bar had “called the police to have women and lesbians removed because they don’t like the T-shirts we are wearing”. | Ruzylo, who was wearing a T-shirt bearing the slogan “Lesbian: a woman who loves other women”, tweeted that staff at the Green Room bar had “called the police to have women and lesbians removed because they don’t like the T-shirts we are wearing”. |
| On Friday night the National Theatre, which is to host a Pride after-party on Saturday night with the cabaret and drag pub the Glory as part of its River Stage festival, responded on social media, saying: “The NT has not and would not ever discriminate against an individual on the basis of their sexuality – or indeed because they were proudly declaring this on a T-shirt. We do, however, respect and value our trans staff, company and audience members. As such, if the behaviour of visitors impinges on their ability to feel supported and safe, we will take action.” | On Friday night the National Theatre, which is to host a Pride after-party on Saturday night with the cabaret and drag pub the Glory as part of its River Stage festival, responded on social media, saying: “The NT has not and would not ever discriminate against an individual on the basis of their sexuality – or indeed because they were proudly declaring this on a T-shirt. We do, however, respect and value our trans staff, company and audience members. As such, if the behaviour of visitors impinges on their ability to feel supported and safe, we will take action.” |
| The renowned theatre in the Southbank centre in London runs the bar in collaboration with the Coin Street Community Builders initiative and has since underlined its open attitude to all members of the LGBTQ+ community. | |
| Lisa Burger, the joint chief executive of the National Theatre, said: “While investigations into the incident are ongoing, multiple witnesses corroborate that a group who attended the Green Room restaurant on Friday 5 July were ultimately asked to leave the premises as a result of a series of disturbances. | Lisa Burger, the joint chief executive of the National Theatre, said: “While investigations into the incident are ongoing, multiple witnesses corroborate that a group who attended the Green Room restaurant on Friday 5 July were ultimately asked to leave the premises as a result of a series of disturbances. |
| “These began with their refusal to put placards out of sight that featured messages which upset other customers and contravened our visiting policy, and culminated in abusive behaviour towards our staff. The clothing, gender or sexuality of the group was not a factor in the decision, which was reluctantly taken on the basis of the group’s behaviour and what was said. | “These began with their refusal to put placards out of sight that featured messages which upset other customers and contravened our visiting policy, and culminated in abusive behaviour towards our staff. The clothing, gender or sexuality of the group was not a factor in the decision, which was reluctantly taken on the basis of the group’s behaviour and what was said. |
| “The National Theatre must be an inclusive place for everyone, and that means asking visitors to conduct themselves in a way that respects that principle.” | “The National Theatre must be an inclusive place for everyone, and that means asking visitors to conduct themselves in a way that respects that principle.” |
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