An Arkansas man has been left outraged after he was refused entry to a casino - reportedly because he was carrying a purse.
Jordan Kirk was preparing to enjoy a night out with his husband at Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort in Hot Springs, Arkansas, when a security guard denied him entry because he was carrying a "suspicious" purse.
In a Facebook post that details the incident, Kirk says he was told that "men do not carry purses they carry bags," and that he would have to put the purse in his car if he wished to re-enter the venue.
You can watch a news report concerning the incident right here:A portion of his post reads;
"Tonight while enjoy our first date night in quite a while, we visited Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort while following all Covid Safety Guidelines.
"I was denied entry because I was carrying a bag. I was told my “bag” was to large, and I could put my wallet in my pocket, return my bag back to the car, and then I could come in. I informed the security guard that this is my man purse (murse) and I would not be putting it back in the car, to which I was told men do not carry purses they carry bags and because it goes over my shoulder it is considered a bag.. and it would have to be returned to the car if I wished to enter for the second time."
Kirk requested that a floor supervisor be called to "resolve" the situation. His post continues;
"The floor supervisor agreed men do not carry purses and I was not allowed on the floor unless I returned my bag to the car. We asked if a woman was to carry my bag through the door as a purse, would it be allowed? And they told us YES! I was just infuriated, and determined to make my point that I was getting inside with my murse or going to cause a much larger scene.
"While this was happening we pointed out at least 10 women carrying bags large enough to carry small toddlers, and 3 backpacks.. their reply? “women need their purses, your’s is just a bag”."
Kirk said the general manager eventually was called to the scene, where it was decided that he would be allowed to carry his bag onto the casino floor if the security guard could search it first.
"They were worried that a man carrying a “bag” may have explosives. EXPLOSIVES? You’re kidding me? Because I’m gay, I’m carrying a man purse..now I may carry explosives?" He wrote.
In an update to the post, Kirk said he had received one apology: from the casino’s vice president of marketing, via Facebook.
Per reports the casino issued a statement on the incident, a portion of which reads:
"In keeping with our policy and commitment to provide the highest level of safety precautions, our personnel reserve the right to inspect incoming bags, backpacks, satchels, etc. regardless of form or size. It is essential we reserve this right in light of Oaklawn being a large public venue.
"As an important point of clarification, the General Manager of Oaklawn Racing Casino Resort was not present during this incident, but our regularly scheduled security team and casino floor manager were there and did permit Mr. Kirk to enter the facility with his bag where Mr. Kirk stayed for almost an hour."
