I have to tell you about something that happened to a friend of mine over the weekend at Javier's Gourmet Mexicano on Cole Ave in Dallas. Let's call him John. I want to start by saying that Javier's was a great place to go, although I hadn't been in a long time. For those that aren't familiar with the Knox-Henderson area of Dallas it's a very trendy area full of 20-30-somethings. I've never had a problem feeling out of place because I'm gay - for the most part nobody cares.
Saturday night, John went to Javier's with 14 other people for a friend's birthday dinner. Javier's was packed, as usual. They waited in the bar where they bought two rounds of drinks totaling over $400. They spent an hour waiting for a table and there were no seats to be found, so John's boyfriend sat on his leg - well, more like he leaned and partially sat. John was on the phone and not really paying attention while his boyfriend was talking to someone else.
The manager walked up to them and said that their behavior was inappropriate and that they needed to leave the restaurant. They weren't doing anything. John kind of laughed it off and went back to his phone conversation because there was no way the guy could be serious. The manager repeated, "You need to leave now." His boyfriend asked if someone had complained or commented about them, but he said they hadn't and they needed to leave the premises immediately. John, in shock, realized he was serious.
The group was spread out through the bar and John was holding the valet tickets. He told the manager that he just needed to give the other people their valet tickets. The manager stopped him and again told him to leave. He explained that he was holding all of the valet tickets and had no plans of staying, but needed to give everyone their tickets. Apparently the manager saw this as threatening because he called the off-duty cop to come in. John told him they were leaving and that there was no reason for him to be involved.
So, here's my thinking...either we spread the word and boycott the restaurant - hit them in the wallet, or go the more obnoxious route - get a large group of gays together and show up Saturday night. While waiting for a table we sit in each others laps. Although it would be fun(ny) it wouldn't accomplish as much as the publicity that this is going to generate.
I'll guarantee you one thing - if it was a woman sitting in a man's lap waiting for a table it wouldn't have been an issue. Oh, and I'll guarantee another - I'm never stepping foot inside Javier's again until they issue a public apology and discipline the manager. Get the word out - they need to know just how much money they can lose by alienating the demographic with the most disposable income.
(Although I wasn't there, John has read this and approved it as accurate.)
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12 comments:
Make sure you and all your friends Yelp about it:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/javiers-gourmet-mexicano-dallas#hrid:oPckbWmXZam3wFE37iZRWg/query:javier%27s
You can also post your story on Shameless Restaurants:
http://www.shamelessrestaurants.com/readpoststory.php
You need to send a staight couple in and let the girl sit in the guys lap. maybe you could sue! Im staight and I agree bet they wouldn't do anything to them either>
It is totally legal in most of the United States to discriminate against gays. This includes employment, housing, education and yes, even restuarants. Of course there are exceptions (i.e. the state of California, Toledo, Ohio).
Well that totally sucks for your friend John...I'm sure it was embarrassing and infuriating all at the same time. Whatever route you pursue, I wish you all the best. That manager and his higher ups need to know that treating people like that will not be tolerated.
"John" is a long time friend of mine. He and his bf are great guys w/ big hearts and I am totally appalled at the way they were treated.
Thank you for this blog!
thanks for this blog. the couple you mention are great friends of mine and i cannot believe the treatment they experienced. i hope that through your words, others are about see the injustice encountered at this public establishment.
i hope you don't mind, but i linked your blog on mine. i enjoy your blog. thanks!
i like the sit in idea
all the queens to sit on javier!
That is crazy. I recieved the same sort of treatment at Coal Vines in Uptown. The only difference is the manager actually hit me upside the head. The police were called by my friends and it was a horrible experience. No one I know will ever frequent their restaurants again. Good to know about Javier's too.
You can file a complaint with the City of Dallas as the City has non-discrimination ordinance that cover sexual orientation:
dallascityhall.com/fair_housing/fair_housing_office.html
Yes, it it with the Fair Housing Office but a resturant is a public accommodation.
24 Hr. Hotline
(214) 670-FAIR (3247)
Mission Statement
To promote and preserve housing choice without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, familial status or sexual orientation; and to promote and preserve equal employment and public accommodations without regard to sexual orientation.
Also, Dallas gay attorney Rob Wiley has handle similiar cases.
www.robwiley.com
(214) 528-6500
Good luck!
Wow, I haven't been to Javier's in 5-6 years but I remember it being a great place. I actually had my 30th birthday party there which was a lot of fun. Sorry that people are so narrow minded... I will definitely pass this on.
Well, this story is starting to make the rounds. With the e-mailing, you can be sure Dallas's gay community will be completely aware of this by the weekend. I hope The Dallas Voice becomes aware of this and makes this incident more public.
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