In response to the North Dakota Senate Bill 2279 being voted down, a bill that would have banned discrimination against the LGBT community, the operator of Red Raven Espresso Parlor, Joe Curry, posted his own ban.

“Ban effective immediately. The listed Men & Women are now banned from entering this establishment.* This is based solely on age, gender, race, beliefs, color, religion & disability.”

That asterisk points to this statement:

“Unless accompanied by a Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual, Queer, Intersex or Asexual person.”

Curry posted the ban along with the pictures of all 56 lawmakers who voted against the bill.

The next day Curry went on Facebook to further clarify the ban as satire, but wanted to make sure that his point got across.

The Red Raven Espresso Parlor wants to clarify that all are welcome in our space. We do not attempt to discriminate. The intent of our ‘ban’ was to satirize the environment that the legislation created for the LGBTQ+ community by voting against SB 2279. Here at the Raven we have workers and patrons who are included in this community who are directly impacted by this stringent and detached ruling. We stand by these individuals, as they are our families and friends. Its time the legislation affirms what the majority believes to be a fair, human practice of non-discrimination. In short, these 56 individuals are still welcomed into our establishment; however, their action/non-action has impacted far more than 56 individuals. Our ‘ban’ ponders the question, “What if that discrimination were re-directed, and reversed?” All we can confirm is that, either way, it feels icky.

Being a mid-western girl, I thought this was pretty rad. I was filled with pride when I heard about this little coffee shop and the big statement it was making.

Well done Joe Curry.

 

Relephant: 

The single best Gay Rights video I’ve ever seen.

 

Author: Brenna Fischer

Editor: Renée Picard

Image: Flickr