A popular Downtown bar has been under fire after Internet posts claiming bar staff mistreated a Gay couple began to appear.
A post on CNN's iReports website as well as a Facebook group have sprung up claiming that a Gay couple was asked to 'leave, or stop acting like a couple' after engaging in what the bar staff determined was unacceptable sexual behavior at the Pogue Fado on Barrington Street.
Posts on both sites claim that one of the patrons had their hands down the pants of the other. Staff at the bar have declined an interview but sent along the following statement:
The Owners and Management of the Pógue Fadó would like to clarify the confusion
around what we believe are false allegations surrounding an incident Saturday the 23rd of
October, 2010.
On Saturday evening two patrons were engaged in sexual behavior that our Staff deemed
inappropriate for the Bar. The patrons were asked to stop, and did not comply. At which
point they were asked to leave the premises.
To clarify, it is very common to have couples asked to stop sexual behavior that goes
beyond kissing, cuddling etc. in the bar. It is also common to ask a couple (any couple) to
leave the premises if they do not comply. This is, and will remain our policy.
We believe that the couple in question last Saturday may have misconstrued the
request to leave as an act of homophobia as they were both male.
The Owners and Management Team of Pógue Fadó have investigated this incident
and we believe there was no mistreatment or bigotry involved.
The Owners and Management of the Pógue Fadó have a zero tolerance toward any
type of discrimination and/or Bigotry toward fellow staff or patrons.
We have many staff members, managers and owners with gay family/friends who
frequent our pub. This is why we find it offensive, and very upsetting that we have been
thought of at all in this manner.
The Pógue Fadó has always been, since its inception a proud supporter of all of the
community around us.
We have raised amounts totaling more than $20,000.00 for various charities such as
QE2 foundation, RCR education fund for children of fallen soldiers, SPCA, Diabetes
Association etc, etc. Pógue Cover Charge on Wednesday nights has gone to Charity for
4 consecutive years now. This is just a sample of the community support The Owners,
Management and Staff have given back to the community around us, and we strive to do
more.
The Owners and Management of Pógue Fadó proudly support Gay rights, Gay
Marriage and the Gay Community of Metro Halifax. Pógue is on the parade route for
Pride every year and we also enjoy and support that community event.
We welcome all our customers as friends with the same openness, and respect.
Sincerely,
Owners and Management of Pógue Fadó Irish Public House
The identity of the patrons in question remains unknown.