Gay Man Kicked Out of Las Vegas Pool Party for 'Inappropriate' Swimwear; Alleges Homophobia
He alleged that he was escorted out of the club and said he would have to leave if he did not change.
A homosexual man has claimed that he was asked to leave the swimming pool in the popular Encore Beach Club at Wynn Las Vegas for wearing 'inappropriate' swimwear. Chris Donohoe said that he was differentiated for being gay. He alleged that he was escorted out of the club and said he would have to leave if he did not change. He said that two men at the pool were laughing minutes before he was removed from the party. Chris alleged that the security guard was acting on a complaint.
Chris said to Facebook saying, "I was kicked out for being a gay man wearing a bathing suit that was just a little too gay for the Encore Beach Club to tolerate." After he took to social media, Chris was contacted by another gay man, Huan Casado who said that he was also discriminated against at the same place. Huan also shared a video which showed him being pushed off by a security while he dances on a podium. He was told that only women are allowed to dance on the podium.
Casado wrote to Donohoe on Facebook, "I saw your post and I just want to say that I have been discriminated there as well. Not for being gay (even though I am) but the double standard of being male or female." Chris said that the guard told him his swimwear was not 'in integrity' with the pool party's brand. He filmed the incident with the general manager also.
Chris says, "But it doesn't sound like I'm allowed to wear this - which is not a Speedo - because I'm a gay man, because this is too much skin." Manager responds to it saying, "This has nothing to do with your sexual preferences,' the manager responds. Then why is this the rule? What about this is not in integrity with your brand?"
Manager replies by saying, "Because we have a dress code which says what you can and cannot wear." The manager says, "Encore's dress code states that guests must 'dress to impress' and that 'pool attire is required to enter the venue'." Speedos are not in their policy's 'prohibited apparel', which includes no undergarments, no see-through bathing suits, and no torn or cut-off clothing.
Michael Weaver, the CMO of Wynn Resorts said, "In the Encore Beach Club, we have a policy, clearly posted at the entrance, which prohibited Speedos. Upon receiving a guest complaint, we reviewed the policy and have changed it. The new policy will allow Speedos, but will prohibit risqué and indecent swimwear for both men and women. We will include the new policy on entry signage, as well as the club website, in order to help guests plan appropriately and enjoy a welcoming environment. We apologize to the guest who was affected by our previous policy." Weaver said that they respect their LGBTQ guests and treat them like any other customers.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 09, 2018 08:15 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).