The Iron Burka falls upon once-free Australia, as "man-bans" multiply...
Men banned as Muslim women win council backing
Paul Tatnell
Herald Sun September 16, 2011
MAN bans are spreading as two more council functions are declared off-limits because it is "not appropriate" for men to mix with Muslim women.
And in a surprise twist, VCAT backed the latest bans, declaring there was no discrimination and councils no longer needed to apply for exemptions.
The Darebin City Council ban will be in force for a music concert to be held in December, while another female-only event to mark the end of Ramadan was cancelled last week.
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More on the "man-bans" at "Herald Sun"
Also, Herald Sun editorial:
Religious man-ban mania
Herald Sun
September 16, 2011
BANNING men from community events because of religious restrictions is not the business of a suburban council.
But Darebin council has decided to tell men to stay away because it would be "culturally inappropriate for young women to participate in recreational activity with males present".
This newspaper supports multiculturalism, but it is not for Darebin council to enforce religious observances. It is for Islamic leaders to tell men not to attend these events if that is what they want.
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More on man-ban mania at "Herald Sun"