Summary

The article discusses how the concept of "Right of Admission Reserved" (ROAR) from nightlife can empower women entrepreneurs to protect their rights and businesses in the face of the overturn of Roe v. Wade and potential threats to contraception and LGBTQIA+ rights.

Abstract

The author argues that the principle of "Right of Admission Reserved" (ROAR), commonly used in the nightlife industry to maintain a safe and enjoyable environment, can be applied by female entrepreneurs to assert their rights and values in business. With the threat of Roe v. Wade's repeal and the potential erosion of women's and LGBTQIA+ rights, the article suggests that businesswomen can legally refuse service to those who oppose their values or make clients uncomfortable, similar to how nightclubs reserve the right to deny entry to undesirable patrons. The author emphasizes the importance of creating a supportive business environment that aligns with progressive values and actively excludes those who are against reproductive rights and equality.

Opinions

The author believes that women and LGBTQIA+ individuals are facing significant rights challenges and that it's crucial for business owners to take a stand.
It is expressed that refusing service based on personal values is a legal and effective way to cultivate a business culture that aligns with one's beliefs, as long as it does not discriminate against protected classes.
The article suggests that business owners should actively support pro-choice and progressive causes, including donating profits to organizations like Planned Parenthood.
There is a strong opinion that by using their right to refuse service, business owners can effectively marginalize those with regressive views and create a societal shift.
The author encourages the use of commerce and financial influence as tools for making a political statement and advocating for rights.
The piece conveys that the discomfort and exclusion felt by those who are denied service can be a powerful deterrent to discriminatory behavior and can contribute to societal change.

How A Nightlife Concept Can Help Entrepreneurs Fight Roe’s Overturn

ROAR with me, people! ROAR WITH ME!

Roe v. Wade is under attack, if not outright repealed. Contraception is next. Ladies, your rights are under attack and if you’re LGBTQIA+ like me, it’s going to get ugly. So, it’s time to talk about how women can defend themselves.

I feel like now is a good time to talk about how women can take back their rights and ensure that they have an easy time doing business. So, I’m going to talk about what I learned in my stint in nightlife.

Let’s talk about ROAR.

ROAR stands for the “Right of Admission Reserved,” and it’s something that every businesswoman and feminist entrepreneur should know. In nightlife, you have a lot of creepy, sketchy people who buy tickets to clubs.

Some of these people, such as the person doing shots with a drunk girl, are fine. Others can be a serious liability risk — such as the one clubkid who’s known for shooting heroin in the bathroom. Most promoters know who’s who, at least to a point.

The thing is, they don’t want to have bad sketchy people there. So, they use the right to refuse entry to prevent future problems. This ensures that clubgoers have fun and don’t end up murdering each other on the dance floor.

ROAR is a protective measure that helps businesses grow and gives businesses the ability to cultivate a culture based on their values.

As a freelancer or private business, you have the right to refuse to work with anyone.

Photo by Tingey Injury Law Firm on Unsplash

No joking — this is a federal law. Every single business has the right to refuse service to a potential customer. This includes banks, bakeries (remember the gay cake shit?), and clothing designers.

You do not have to state a reason as to why you don’t want to do business with a certain person. As long as you are not denying service for protected classes in your state, you have the right to refuse service.

More importantly, you also have the right to refuse service if the person’s behavior would make your clients upset, scared, worried, or uncomfortable. It’s seen as a risk to the businesses, and therefore an approved action.

This is precisely why the law allows for womens-only gym memberships and why female-only workspaces like The Wing are allowed to exist. It’s seen as a business decision that is meant to make women feel at ease.

So, what does this mean for women in the workforce?

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

It’s simple. If you own a private business, you owe it to yourself to work with people who are not actively contributing to the destruction of your rights. This means you always have the right to:

Turn MAGA hat wearers away from your coffee bar. Do it. Trust me, you have ROAR ready for you.
Advertise your company as feminist, progressive, and pro-diversity. It’s okay to say that you work exclusively with people who share your vision for a better future. This often scares away regressive companies, anyway.
Show a strong preference for working with companies that have progressive views. For example, choosing Lowe’s over Home Depot can help.
Terminate contracts with companies who have come forth as anti-choice. You do not have to give them an explanation, either. Companies do not have the same rights as people when it comes to contracted labor.
Donate money to Planned Parenthood via profits. I know this isn’t part of ROAR, but I want to tell you to do it anyway.
Telling clients to wear feminist merch for a discount. Yep. This is a thing! Just make sure that you’re fundraising for Planned Parenthood or Yellowhammer, too.

Make sure you read up on your state's anti-discrimination laws to learn about protected classes in your area when you ROAR. More importantly, always make sure that you learn about your state’s discrimination laws pertaining to refusal of service.

Why is ROAR so important?

It’s simple. We’re dealing with a movement that no longer sees anyone with a uterus or anyone who’s LGBTQIA+ as people. A lot of the people promoting these concepts are banking on us trying to ameliorate things or just letting them steamroll us.

The truth is, nothing scares a lot of these bigots more than being shut out of society. They can’t stand the idea that they will have to face having people reject them and refuse service to them. This is why they’re going nuts over Twitter but why right-wing communities flop. Shunning works!

On a similar note, most bigots also don’t like missing out on money. They’re greedy people and forcing them to deal with their greed. At the end of the day, 80 percent of your fight for your rights is going to involve making bigots as uncomfortable and left out as possible.

Sounds harsh? Yep, but unfortunately, there’s a lot to be said about using money and commerce as a way to make your footprint. Money talks.