An Australian father claims he was shocked when he was asked to leave a proud LGBTQIA+ bar in Brisbane and told by staff he was “not welcome” for wearing a Donald Trump hat.
Queensland father Rob Holt was attending a Halloween rave in Wickham, Fortitude Valley, with his wife and six-year-old daughter over the weekend when a staff member offered him a Trump 2024 cap. I was asked to leave for a reason.
“At the end of the day I’m just disappointed and confused,” Holt told Sydney’s 2GB radio about the incident.
Holt said he was waiting for his wife and daughter to return from the bathroom when a female staff member approached him near the bar and asked him to leave.
“She said, ‘Are you leaving yet?'” Holt told host Ben Fordham.
“I said, “Right, I’m leaving now.” Why?” And she said, “Well, you have to leave.” We’re getting you out of here.” I want you to. ”
An Australian father claims he was shocked when he was asked to leave a proud LGBTQIA+ pub in Brisbane for wearing a Donald Trump hat. Google Maps
When Holt asked why, he said, “Because he’s wearing a Trump hat.”
“I said, ‘So what does that have to do with anything?’ And she said, ‘We’re a gay bar, so you can’t wear that here.’ I don’t want you to come here. There are people here who don’t feel safe.”
“I said, ‘Really?'” I’ve never experienced anything like this before. ”
After reaffirming that that was the reason, Holt told staff he was “a little offended” and asked, “What would happen if the roles were reversed?”
“I said, ‘Imagine if you could, you walk up to another store wearing a pride hat or something like that and you’re asked to leave. I imagine that would be a big deal. can.”
Holt claimed his hat contained no rude gestures or any additional wording other than “Trump 2024” with three gold stars.
“(But) she just kept saying, ‘No, you’re not welcome.’ You have to go. You have to leave.”
The Queensland dad said he was “disappointed” and “frustrated” by the ordeal, but said the reaction when he took to the streets wearing the hat was “mostly positive”.
“What worries me most is that new social transmission spills over from the US to Australia, where people are denied service or kicked out of facilities. It’s not about who you are. , because of what you believe in, or even what you wear,” he said.
“Last time I checked, we are a multicultural country with many beliefs, and we support the little people for what they believe in, we support the minorities, and… no one They are allowed to have their own opinions. There is a democracy with freedom of speech. I think it shows a little bit of what’s going on these days.”
Holt claimed his hat contained no rude gestures or any additional wording other than “Trump 2024” with three gold stars. Reuters
Mr Holt said he was highly doubtful he would return to the pub.
“I’d love to go back, just like anywhere else. But it’s a little disappointing for people to be treated like that. I would never treat anyone like that.” he said.
“If you have beliefs and you disagree with people, you should try to understand why they feel that way and where they are coming from, instead of just getting annoyed and excluding them. Just for that reason.”
Eight days have passed since the US presidential election, but the race between Trump and Democratic candidate and vice president Kamala Harris remains close.
On Sunday, Trump held a packed rally at New York’s Madison Square Garden.
Approximately 20,000 supporters packed the iconic venue to hear from an array of celebrity guests, including former presidents, Dr. Phil and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.
News.com.au has contacted Wickham for comment.
