Austrian man barred from ‘Ladies Night’ lingerie show files discrimination lawsuit

A man who was barred from attending a lingerie show is filing for a lawsuit for gender discrimination.

The man, named as Gunter S, and his girlfriend had received an invitation by email for a lingerie show in Vienna, Austria, but when he turned up alone he was not allowed inside.

He said his girlfriend had been unable to attend and that he wanted to choose some lingerie for her, according to The Local.

After being refused entry the man is now taking his case to the Ombud for Equal Treatment as an instance of discrimination.

“The lady at the entrance looked me up and down as if I was up to something,” he told the Kurier newspaper.

“When the security guard turned up, I decided to leave.”

He said the invitation email had not mentioned that single men were not allowed to attend.

When he complained on the shop’s Facebook page about his treatment, he was told the event was a “ladies night”.

“Dear Mr S., we’re very sorry but the event was a Ladies Night. We look forward to welcoming you in the future to an event in our men’s department.”

In a recent ruling, Austria’s Ombud for Equal Treatment declared that “ladies nights” discriminated against men because women were given cheaper drinks and free admission.

Monika Goser, equality prosecutor, told the Kourier that in certain cases it would be appropriate only to invite women – but this did not seem like one of them.

“Such an event is not only aimed at women, as we all know that men also buy underwear,” she said.

Lingerie models did not need “protecting” from men’s eyes and that it was likely that Günter S. had been discriminated against, she added.

• More about:
• equality
• gender
• Austria
• lingerie
• gender inequality

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