Key Points
- A barber in Adelaide has applied for an exemption to the Equal Opportunity Act.
- Robbie's Chop Shop wants to continue to ban women from the premises.
- It has asked Instagram followers to send letters of support.
Robbie's Chop Shop says it wants to be the "last male sanctuary", and has applied for an exemption to the Equal Opportunity Act so it can continue to ban women from its premises.
The Adelaide barbershop says it doesn't believe it's in breach of the act, but has received several complaints.
Robbie's Chop Shop says it provides "a safe space for men"
The barbershop has asked its Instagram followers to send in submissions of support.
"Unfortunately, this is not the first complaint of this type that we have received, so in order to deal with them once and for all, we have decided to make an application for an exemption to the Equal Opportunity Act," the letter reads.
The letter says the barbershop provides "a safe space for men to come together and discuss their issues".
In a statement, a spokesperson for the Equal Opportunity commissioner in South Australia said an exemption must be sought through a tribunal.
"Where businesses wish to discriminate against a group of people, they must apply for an exemption through the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal," the statement read.
Robbie's Chop Shop has been contacted for comment.
The business describes itself online as "the last male sanctuary" and much more than "just a barber shop".
Barbershop's application called 'misogynistic'
Some social media users have taken issue with the concept.
"More like Robbie's Mojo Dojo Casa House," one user wrote, referencing a plotline about male domination from the Barbie movie.
"I hope you would welcome trans men, non-binary people and folks of any gender wanting a masculine haircut. We all deserve to feel included and safe to approach businesses knowing we won't be turned away based on personal attributes we can't change," one Instagram user has commented.
Others have called the application "misogynistic".
"Dudes like this will complain about safe spaces for marginalised groups and then cry about needing a men's only barber as if they need it for anything other than to talk shit about women and not be called out on their misogyny," another woman wrote.
However, some clients were supportive.
"Absolutely support RCS in staying as a male only sanctuary, and it's sad that you even need to apply for an exemption when they've done nothing wrong in the first place," one user wrote.
One mother said if "[her] son's outlet was an all male barber" she would "be thrilled".
"I love that this exists and love the safe space you've created for men to unload their weights of the world without being judged and freedom [to] speak up in a space with others that may be facing similar issues," one woman commented.
