Robbie’s Chop Shop is working hard to become ‘the last male sanctuary’ in Adelaide after a complaint was made to Equal Opportunity South Australia (SA) about it requesting women observe that it is a male-only business.

The team behind the barber shop has decided to apply for an exemption to the Equal Opportunity Act. According to them, not only does Robbie’s Chop Shop provide haircuts and shaves, but it also provides a 'safe space for men to come together and discuss their issues'.

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'Robbie’s Chop Shop does not believe that it is in breach of the Act, and sees the application as an opportunity to preserve its purpose and to be proactive in responding to the complaint and other complaints of a similar nature that have arisen in the past,' the store explained in a printed letter to its customers.

Robbie’s Chop Shop’s posted a letter to their customers on their social media page. Credit: @robbieschopshop/Instagram

Although the barbershop recognises its stance has sparked much debate, they remain committed to their cause. Thousands of people have flocked to their social media page to declare their solidarity and support for Robbie’s.

'I love that this exists and love the safe space you’ve created for men to unload their weights of the world without being judged and [the] freedom to speak up in a space with others that may be facing similar issues,' wrote one woman.

‘As the mum of a son, if my son's outlet was an all-male barber I would be thrilled.’

However, some have understandably taken issue with the barber shop’s stance.

‘The topic of marketing your business to male clients and being a male-focused barber is VERY different to intentionally excluding and banning women,’ one user commented on their social media post.

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Another critic wrote: I hope you would welcome trans men, non-binary people and folks of any gender wanting a masculine haircut. We all deserve to feel included and safe to approach businesses knowing we won’t be turned away based on personal attributes we can’t change.'

Key Takeaways

• An Adelaide barber shop known as Robbie's Chop Shop, which describes itself as 'the last male sanctuary,' has announced plans to formally ban women by seeking exemption from the Equal Opportunity Act.
  
• The decision was made following various complaints to Equal Opportunity South Australia (SA) regarding women being asked to respect the shop's male-only rule.
  
• The shop's stance has generated mixed reactions, with some people supportive of the idea of an all-male sanctuary, while others criticise the move as discriminatory and exclusionary.
  
• The team behind Robbie's Chop Shop justifies the action, stating that the barbershop provides 'a safe space for men to come together and discuss their issues’.
  

Members, what do you think of this barber shop’s stance on gender inclusion? Is it a safe male sanctuary, or should businesses respect and promote equality regardless of gender? Let us know your opinions in the comments section below.

 

[KSS]

Are we next going to allow MEN INTO WOMEN'S TOILETS & WOMEN INTO MEN'S TOILETS because we are being told these days that we must not discriminate? GET REAL.

Let the man make his choice of clients (he can even refuse any man creating a ruckus in his shop) and no one can tell him he has to allow that person in.

Sorry Catherines you've missed the boat on that one. There are many places where there are only toilets and not those designated male/female. Did you also miss the story of the surf life club that banned naked showering in the change rooms because it might upset young people seeing naked male bodies?