No mothers or partners… Adelaide ‘men only’ barber shop ‘Robbie’s Chop Shop’ tries to ban women
- Robbie’s Chop Shop wants to be a men-only space
- The hairdresser is applying for an exemption
- Hairdresser urging followers to write testimonials
- Complaints before Equal Opportunities SA
An Australian barbershop that claims to be “the last male sanctuary” is applying for an exemption to the Equal Opportunities Act in hopes of banning women from entering its doors.
Robbie’s Chop Shop, in the affluent Adelaide suburb of Unley, is fighting for its dream of a men-only space.
In an open letter shared on Instagram on July 28, the award-winning barber urged those who believe that keeping the shop as a male sanctuary was important to write “a little testimonial.”
The move comes after complaints were filed with Equal Opportunity SA against hairdresser King William Road regarding its request that women observe its men-only policy.
The barbershop, located on King William Road in Unley, Adelaide, is applying for an exemption to the Equal Opportunities Act.
“While we feel this complaint is ill-conceived, we are doing everything we can to resolve the situation in a respectful and understanding manner to the satisfaction of all involved,” the letter said.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first complaint of this type that we have received, so in order to address them once and for all, we have decided to submit a request for exemption to (the) Equal Opportunity Act.”
The salon said it wanted to maintain a safe space for men to meet and discuss issues and confirmed that women cannot wait on the premises.
“We ask that you wait outside,” a spokesperson told the Advertiser. “Everyone has been understanding.”
The post, which has received more than 360 likes and more than 270 comments, has divided social media users, with some expressing support and others disapproval.
One woman wrote: ‘If having a ‘men only’ space is discrimination, discriminate! I love the idea of an all-male hairstylist. He allows you to master your craft and give men a safe space to be… men!
‘We have our own space as women, we don’t need yours. I go to my hairdresser to complain about men, why would I want one there? The same goes for boys! They can’t talk about you if you’re there, so give them their space! I love that this exists.
The barbershop said it wanted to maintain a safe space for men to meet and discuss issues (pictured)
“Guys like this complain about safe spaces for marginalized groups and then cry about needing a men-only barber like they need it for anything other than talking shit about women and not getting called out for their misogyny,” one argued. second person.
“Men will literally ask for exemptions from the Equal Employment Opportunity Act instead of just going to therapy,” a third person commented.
‘I wonder if this happens in places like women-only gyms? What an absolute joke that this happened,” another person added.
The mother of a three-year-old said that “not once” has she been “disrespected or made to feel unwelcome” every time she takes her son to Robbie’s Chop Shop.
