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It took some time,but I have some new information.
BOLI has determined that said club owner has violated several Oregon State statutes in regards to discrimination laws.
He is appealing the decision,but there is substantial evidence against him.
Have to see what happens next.
Following is a copy of BOLI press release
BOLI: Substantial Evidence of Discrimination at P Club
Civil rights investigators find evidence of discrimination against transgendered Oregonians
PORTLAND – The Civil Rights Division of the Oregon Bureau of Labor and Industries (BOLI) has
concluded its investigation into allegations of unlawful discrimination by Portland’s Twilight Room
Annex, formerly known as the P Club, finding substantial evidence that the bar, through owner Chris
Penner, sought to keep a group of transgender patrons out of the establishment based on their gender
identity.
“No place of public accommodations in Oregon is going to be allowed to discriminate based on
gender identity,” Oregon Labor and Industries Commissioner Brad Avakian said. “Enforcing civil
rights laws is important to all Oregonians, especially the fundamental right to patronize businesses of
your choice without being summarily barred based on a group affiliation.”
Pursuing a complaint filed by Avakian, state investigators found evidence confirming that Penner left
phone messages asking a group of transgendered patrons to stop visiting the P Club because they
were allegedly harming business by creating a perception that it is a “tranny bar.” Investigators
found that Penner’s contention that the group, known as the Rose City T-Girls, was disruptive and
generated complaints from other patrons was unsupported by interviews with P Club employees and
other patrons, and the agency’s letter of determination concludes that no concerns were ever raised to
the T-Girls—even in the phone messages from Penner himself.
“The P Club never notified the T-Girls of any complaints about their behavior and never took any
steps to remove allegedly troublesome individuals,” Avakian added. “Blocking the entire group from
visiting the P Club in reaction to rumors that the establishment ‘is a tranny bar’ is an overreaction, is
unfair, and is on its face unlawful discrimination.”
With the Civil Rights Division’s investigation complete, absent settlement of the case, the next step
in the process will be the issuance of formal charges and a notice of hearing by BOLI’s
Administrative Prosecution Unit.
