'Flaunting it': Gay bar bans straight bachelorette parties

The Abbey nightclub in West Hollywood, Calif., regularly welcomes customers who are not gay, but operators say they will ban straight bachelorette parties until same-sex marriage is legal across the land. KNBC-TV's Angie Crouch reports.

The Abbey nightclub in West Hollywood, Calif., regularly welcomes customers who are not gay. But operators say there will be an exception to that policy until same-sex marriage is legal across the land.

“We love our straight girlfriends coming in to celebrate one of the happiest days of their life," says Abbey owner David Cooley. "But it’s also a slap in the face to my customers and my life that we can’t have that same celebration.”

Male go-go dancers are just one reason why one of America's most popular gay bars has become a big draw for straight women's bachelorette parties.


Each weekend, The Abbey hosts several dozen ladies night parties. But Cooley says, no more. Until marriage is legal for everyone, straight women can no longer celebrate their pending nuptials at his club.

His position is getting mixed reviews from both gay and straight customers.

“Everyone should be able to get married," says Roshanna Sabaratnam. "We shouldn’t, as straight people, be flaunting it in front of people who can’t.”

But, there are also some gay customers who disagree.

“I think the ban is an interesting approach to the debate about gay marriage," says Alexander Villalobos. "But I think you shouldn’t limit other people’s rights in order to get yours.”

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The legal facts are these ; This is this man's business . Most bars , gay or straight have signs that state " We reserve the right to refuse service to anyone for any reason . " Therefore a discrimination suit might not be successful . However , I do think he's using false reasoning , two wrongs never make a right . Moreover , I believe this will harm his cause , more than help it . Also the lost revenue might be prohibitive and long term as he may not get those customers back . They will probably take their business to a gay bar whose owner is more open-minded and realizes that the needed reform will come in good time . The civil rights act for blacks took some time also .

    Reply#210 - Sun May 27, 2012 8:30 AM EDT

    I hope they keep their promise. As a straight gal, I wouldn't want to go into the place anyway--regardless. With this policy, at least a person passing by will know it is a gay bar. I think this is a great policy. All gay bars should have this policy so everyone will know it is what it is. I say they should go for it. It's a terrific idea.

      Reply#211 - Sun May 27, 2012 11:26 AM EDT

      Fighting discrimination with more discrimination. That's the American way!

        Reply#212 - Sun May 27, 2012 1:19 PM EDT

        Take queers, load'm up in boxcars, ship'm to the nearest disposal center.

          Reply#213 - Tue May 29, 2012 11:18 AM EDT

          Fair is fair, Billie Jean!

            Reply#214 - Wed May 30, 2012 5:17 PM EDT

            It's not discrimination. They aren't throwing parties for gays and refusing them for straights.

            They simply decided to stop giving straights special privileges that gays don't have.

            Of course...for bigots...that looks like discrimination. They do love their special privileges.

              #214.1 - Wed May 30, 2012 7:41 PM EDT
              Reply

              Evidently the bar stools only work upside down............in a gay bar ;-/

                Reply#215 - Thu May 31, 2012 3:34 AM EDT

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                www.amazingbacheloretteparty.com

                  Reply#216 - Thu Jul 19, 2012 4:34 AM EDT

                  I had no notion that planning a bachelorette party would take up so much time but it was worth all the time and energy! We located a list of 99 scavenger hunt ideas and placed the topics on the back of shirts which was the most incredible night! We located some amazing ideas at this site… comes highly recommended!

                  www.amazingbacheloretteparty.com

                    Reply#217 - Thu Jul 19, 2012 4:37 AM EDT
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