Badlands LGBTQ club in Sacramento, Calif
A well - known LGBTQ club in Sacramento, California, Badlands, has banned all "MAGA - related attire" after a customer entered the popular venue wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat.
Since Donald Trump's first term as president, the phrase "Make America Great Again" and its acronym, especially when emblazoned on red baseball caps, have been popular among his supporters.
TJ Bruce, the owner of Badlands, announced the new policy on the club's Instagram page this week, stating that the hat "caused discomfort among some patrons."
The announcement read, "We initially decided to ban all political attire to avoid further issues. However, after careful consideration, we've realized that a blanket ban is not the right approach. Moving forward, MAGA - related attire will not be allowed in the venue. This decision is not about banning political beliefs — it is about ensuring that Badlands remains a space where our community feels comfortable and supported."
The customer who wore the MAGA hat, Steven Bourasa, said it was the first time he had worn the hat to a gay bar. "I thought, 'What the heck? Let's see what happens,'" he told NBC affiliate KCRA - TV in an on - camera interview. Bourasa added that he had a "pleasant time" at Badlands and encountered no problems, so he thought the night went well and was surprised to hear about the new policy.
Reactions to the club's new policy were mixed. The Sacramento chapter of Log Cabin Republicans, a gay conservative group, called the policy "a disappointing move that prioritizes division over the fundamental American principle of free speech."
"While private businesses have the right to enforce their own policies, choosing to exclude individuals based on political expression contradicts the very values of inclusivity and open dialogue that the LGBTQ+ community has long fought for," the group wrote in an Instagram post. "True equality is not about silencing opposing views but about creating spaces where diverse perspectives can coexist."
Alice Malmberg, who lives near Badlands, which is located in the city's Lavender Heights "gayborhood," said she found the decision to prohibit MAGA attire at the club understandable. "Given the current political climate and what's been going on and how the administration has been behaving toward certain groups, especially the LGBTQ community, I can understand why they made that decision," she told KCRA.
As for Bourasa, he told KCRA that he would continue to visit Badlands but would keep his MAGA gear at home.
Editor: Newsroom - Robin
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