No mothers and no partners…’Only men’ Adelaide barbershop ‘Robbie’s Chop Shop’ tries to ban women
No mothers and no partners…’Only men’ Adelaide barbershop ‘Robbie’s Chop Shop’ tries to ban women
- Robbie’s Chop Shop wants to be just for men
- The Barber Shop is applying for an exemption
- Barber shop urges followers to write testimonials
- Complaints filed with Equal Opportunity SA
An Australian barber shop that claims to be “men’s last refuge” is applying for an exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act in the hopes of barring 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 hairdresser urged those who believe keeping the shop as a haven for men important to write “a little testimonial.”
The move comes after a complaint was made to the Equal Opportunity SA against the King William Road hairdresser regarding the request that women adhere to the men’s only policy.
The barber shop, located on King William Road in Unley, Adelaide, is applying for an exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act
“While we believe this complaint has been misunderstood, we are doing our best to resolve the situation in a respectful and understanding manner to the satisfaction of all concerned,” the letter said.
“Unfortunately, this is not the first complaint we have received, so to settle it once and for all, we have decided to apply for an exemption from the Equal Opportunities Act.”
The barbershop said it wanted to maintain a safe space for men to gather and discuss issues and confirmed that women are not allowed to wait on the premises.
“We ask them to wait outside,” a spokesperson told the Advertiser. “Everyone understands.”
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 an ‘all male’ room is discrimination, discriminate away! I like the idea of an all-male barber. It 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 nag about men, why would I want one there? The same goes for the boys! They can’t talk about you when 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 gather and discuss issues (pictured)
“These guys will complain about safe spaces for marginalized groups and then cry that they need a male-only hairdresser, as if they need it for something other than to talk nonsense about women and not be called out for their misogyny ‘ said a second person.
“Men will literally ask for an exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act instead of just going to therapy,” a third noted.
“I wonder if this happens with places like women-only gyms? What an absolute joke that this happened,” another person added.
A mother of a three-year-old boy said she was “disrespected or unwelcome” “not once” when she brought her son to Robbie’s Chop Shop.