A bouncer told a gay autist that his leopard-print trousers were too, too heavy and turned him away at a Manchester restaurant.
Brandon Rogers from Cheadle, aged 21, visited 20 Stories downtown on Monday night as he celebrated his sister’s 21st birthday.
Upon arriving at the venue for cocktails, the bouncer apparently told Mr Rogers that his trousers were ‘too, too much’ and he would not be allowed inside, but the remaining members of the party could enter if they wanted.
D&D London, which operates 20 Stories, has apologised to Mr Rogers and said the company operates on a ‘zero-discrimination policy’.
Paris Osborne claimed his sister Paris Osborne said that her brother was looked at with disgust by the bouncer.
Last year, transgender clients were reported to be ‘humiliated after being misgendered turned away by the 20 Stories restaurant.
Brandon Rogers (21 years old), from Cheadle Hume visited 20 Stories in Manchester. He was told apparently by a bouncer his leopard print pants were too, too big.
Manchester’s 20 Stories restaurant is described as “high-style destination” for modern British cuisine, cocktails, and breathtaking views.
Paris Osborne, Paris Rogers’ sister wrote about the incident via Twitter. She also criticised the later apology of the business owner.
Twitter: “We just went out to celebrate my sister’s birth and my brother, who was the most dressed of us all and also is very expressive and proudly homosexual, was refused entry into 20 Stories MCR.
The bouncer looked at him and said that his pants were too big, “The leopard print is no”
“But they then let a man, who was more male than he actually was, wear jeans that were dirty, discoloured and worn-out trainers right in.
These trousers were worn by Mr Rogers on the night 20 Stories turned him away
‘Absolute homophobic and discrimination. These issues must be addressed.
Rogers has autism and said that the remarks of the bouncer were infuriating because he didn’t see any problems with Rogers’s attire.
My sister asked Mr Rogers if they could provide a table for six when we arrived.
“When I approached them from behind, he looked at me three times. It felt as if he were looking at me in judgment. He said that everyone else could go in, but I had a problem with my clothes.
‘My dad asked why and he said what I was wearing was too casual, gesturing towards my pants. He said that smart casual was the appropriate dress code. Although jeans are allowed, he said that I was wearing too many.
“Queer people” are made to feel inferior and suppressed throughout their lives. Personally, I am not very confident so I dress in dangly earrings with patterns to make me feel more positive and happier.
“Having autism also makes it difficult for my to feel confident in myself. Therefore, discriminating against businesses like this can potentially destroy all that.
After her initial post was shared hundreds of times, Mrs Rogers’ sister uploaded an Instagram photo showing several women wearing the same leopard print clothing as Mr Rogers.
“I don’t get why my leopard print pants wouldn’t suit their dress code, but they allow women wearing the same print in,” Mr Rogers said.
It was clear subconscious homophobia. This is something that I have become accustomed to.
On Twitter, Mr Rogers noted that women often enter restaurants wearing leopard prints patterns. He then questioned the reason for the different rule.
“My family was more upset than me because they are used to treating situations like these as a joke, but it shouldn’t be.”
“I am sick of people showing a rose-tinted vision of the world as being better and more equal. But these venues are not designed for people like me. They don’t target people like myself.
“We must get over the notion that men-presenting women wearing what’s viewed as feminine clothing can be detrimental to our reputation.
“Their policies create problems.”
Rogers stated, “I don’t get why I wear leopard print pants but they allow women wearing the same prints in.”
After being misgendered, and later turned away by 20 Stories at separate events in the last year, two transgender people were left “humiliated”
They stated at the time that they are ‘committed’ to learning from this incident and would’review’ their procedures in light of it.
A spokesperson for D&D London apologised to Mr Rogers and said the company operates on a ‘zero-discrimination policy’.
We apologize for the inconvenience this caused to Brandon and Paris. The group was refused entry by 20 Stories.
“Since our opening, 20 Stories has implemented a dress code policy. This time, the manager, door team and reception desk did not think that the dress code was adhered to, so they refused to allow anyone in.
‘We operate a zero-discrimination policy at 20 Stories and across D&D London and have been doing a great deal of work to implement this by training and educating our staff across the group.
‘We have been working with the LGBT Foundation to develop a training programme for all D&D employees which is now a standard as part of their ongoing training and development.
Rogers said, “The way that I present myself in a patterned outfit and with dangly earrings makes me feel more confident and happier within myself.”
‘Over the last year we have put a number of measures in place to improve awareness and processes and a great deal of work has taken place behind the scenes to ensure 20 Stories and other D&D venues are inclusive for all with management training, our partnership with LGBT Foundation and the donation we have made over the last year to support the incredible work the foundation is doing.
“Our security personnel have completed mandatory training on LGBTQ+, Effective Communication and Mental Health Awareness in the last year.
“We’ve reached out to Paris’ family to inquire about the incident. We look forward hearing from them soon.”
The apology was not received well by Mr Rogers, who tweeted that he had a shocking apology.
In a tweet, Dr Paul Martin OBE, CEO of LGBT Foundation, said: ‘What’s happened to Brandon is disgraceful & @20StoriesMCR need to apologise immediately and acknowledge that they got this very wrong.
“Whilst @LGBTfdn has begun to work with them, the incident clearly shows that there is still much work needed.”