SIDNEY: In Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art, there’s a special area called the “Ladies Lounge.” It’s inside a big green cube with silk curtains for walls. There’s fancy furniture, like a velvet couch shaped like a phallus, and a chandelier hanging over it. Everything is decorated in gold. Women are welcomed with champagne by male butlers, while men are not allowed inside.
This lounge is meant to be like an old Australian pub but in reverse. In the past, women were not allowed to drink in bars until 1965. They were usually kept in small rooms or charged a lot for their drinks. The Ladies Lounge showcases famous artworks and provides a safe space for women to hang out together.
However, a man named Jason Lau complained that this setup is against the law. He bought a ticket to the museum but was not allowed into the Ladies Lounge. He argued that it goes against the Anti-Discrimination Act of the state. The museum admits that the lounge is discriminatory, but they say it’s part of the artwork experience. They believe Mr. Lau still got the full experience, even without seeing the lounge.