Thanks.

I assume (hope) a lot of it is tongue-in-cheek, however mainly the assumptions about how a woman should look and behave.

My working hypothesis is that most posters on here are swollen cheeked. It's fairly obvious which ones aren't. As you well know.

Yeah I guess I do it myself sometimes.

Agreed.

Although I would probably have phrased it differently, agreed.

Absolutely agreed. I am quite sure it was deliberate. That is why brought Rosa Parks into it. Her action was also done with the singular intent of provoking a reaction.

I don't disagree that hers was in another universe of importance and required significantly more courage.

Actually I think their excuse is er odd/badly explained perhaps

I've googled and can't find any reference to Muslim men not being allowed to cut a woman's hair but as a woman should have her hair covered up in the presence of men who are not her family then it would be hard for them to cut it. Muslim women are not supposed to have a hairstyle that resembles a man's haircut and some Muslims think that women should not cut their hair at all.

It's not as if these are the only barbers in Toronto so why can't she respect their (relatively harmless) views on hair and go elsewhere? A bit like asking for a cheeseburger in a kosher restaurant.

If they refused her because she is a lesbian then that's rather different.

Isn't it wrong to discriminate period?

I'm sure there wouldn't be a problem getting fitted for a corset and you could try on some pink heels at the same time. In some cities it would be considered normal.

Oh course she did - that's the point. And would you really want to join her naked yoga class? Join the lesbian pornstar naked yoga class maybe - I'd be in for that one.

Nice

Of course it's bullshit. But that doesn't mean getting lawyers involved - it means taking her business elsewhere like a normal person and giving her money to somebody that wants/deserves it.

The comparison to Rosa Parks is ridiculous. This is a small private business not the state - there's nothing in law preventing muslim men from cutting her hair. It's just that in this instance they have chosen not to. As is their right given they are not state funded and free individuals.

Look at this another way. Imagine if prostitution was legal. Would you use the law to force a woman to have sex with everyone who had the money even if they didn't want to? No you wouldn't and it's exactly the same thing.

Authoritarianism is much much worse than bigotry.

I found this, hope it helps

An Islamic cleric residing in Europe said that women should not be close to bananas or cucumbers, in order to avoid any “sexual thoughts.”

Haha. Good one. They should not be able to buy batteries either

Eh? Human rights laws exist to protect minorities from the tyranny of the majority. How on earth is that authoritarian? Shouldn't it be page 1, chapter 1, clause 1 of any self-respecting libertarian's manifesto?

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms says 15. (1) Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination and, in particular, without discrimination based on race, national or ethnic origin, colour, religion, sex, age or mental or physical disability. The reported story seems a clear violation of this. Why shouldn't this woman seek clarification of the law? However frivolous it may seem to those who are not affected there is little point in having human rights if people do not exercise them. Whenever the topic of human rights are discussed one expects a few PC gorn mad comments, but I don't get the faux outrage.

Are you seriously suggesting that a society with no minority rights and unrestricted bigotry is a step forward? Seriously? The gentlemen with white pointy hats will want to shake your hand.

Today I have invested heavily in the makers and retailers of *s

You are conflating what the state does with what a private individual does. There's a huge difference between the two. Obviously the state has to have equal rights enshrined in the things it does.

I personally think these barbers are dicks, but that doesn't mean I want the law to force them to do something they don't want to do. I quite like the concept of freewill and I don't like state coercion.

(also I think this story has allowed the more tabloid style news sources to whip up some anti-muslim fervour and allow people to be a bit racist whilst appearing to be liberal - just to be clear I am not accusing you of this).

Does this issue have to be so complicated? Barbers cut men's hair. Women go to salons or summit.* I suppose there might be Unisex hairdressers, but clearly the one in question was just an ordinary barbershop.

*but ordinarily men pay for their visit.

See what you did....?

All roads lead to Wembley as we say

Interesting points. We should have a poll on who you think will win (not who you think is right, but then, we have two polls) - the barbers or the "lesbo".

Can you add a poll to a thread once it's started or do you have to start a new thread?