Access for women only
Man feels discriminated against by the anti-discrimination exhibition and successfully goes to court
The entrance area of the Museum of Old and New Art in Hobart, Australia
© Imago Images
A female artist’s exhibition at the Museum of Old and New Art in Australia is aimed exclusively at women. Men are not allowed here. A man felt discriminated against and took legal action.
The fact that the “Ladies Lounge” denies men entry is part of the art, Kaechele said in court. In this way, men should get an impression of the discrimination and exclusion that many women have experienced in the past. Kaechele believes that women deserve “both equal rights and special privileges in the form of unequal rights” in reparation for historical injustices.
Art exhibition “Ladies Lounge” as a “refuge for women”
The Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal found in favor of the plaintiff. MONA has to open the exhibition to “people who do not identify as women” within 28 days. In its ruling, the court recognized that the art exhibition “has a markedly participatory component that is intentionally discriminatory – for an artistic purpose that many not only appreciate but even endorse or support.” However, this is not compatible with the Australian Anti-Discrimination Act of 1998, as the law also “does not per se permit discrimination for an artistic purpose”.
During the trial, Kaechele and her supporters wore matching dark blue suits and coordinated their movements. The artist described the “Ladies Lounge” in court as “a peaceful space where women can retreat, a sanctuary where they can think clearly and enjoy the pure company of women.”
After the court ruling in Australia: Museum shares middle finger photo on Instagram
How the museum will now deal with the verdict is still unclear. On Instagram it posted a photo of a hand with a raised middle finger wearing the artist’s initials (“KK”) as a bracelet and referred to the written verdict of the court case. Kaechele had announced in an earlier interview with ABC that the exhibition would have to be closed if the court found in favor of the plaintiff. According to the artist, it will not happen that the “Ladies Lounge” will also be accessible to men.
Sources: CNN, “The Guardian”