General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsNew York City Councilman Plans Gender-Segregated Beach Days
BloombergNew York (AP) -- A New York City Council member says he will sponsor gender-segregated beach days for his Jewish and Muslim constituents this summer a plan opposed by the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Councilman Chaim Deutsch announced the first-ever "Southern Brooklyn Beach Day," hosting separate dates for men and women.
"I have a lot of Orthodox Jewish and Muslim constituents in my district who have never been able to go to the beach before," the Democrat told the New York Post . "They've never been able to smell the beach, to walk in the sand. Everyone should be able to enjoy the beach."
Deutsch said he is raising private funds to cover the cost of taking over the beach for two days at Kingsborough Community College, which sits next to popular Manhattan Beach.
jberryhill
(62,444 posts)Do their legs not function properly?
They have CHOSEN never to go to the beach before, and they have every right to make that choice for themselves.
superpatriotman
(6,252 posts)Not going is purely by choice.
Tipperary
(6,930 posts)Too bad for them.
Me.
(35,454 posts)cynatnite
(31,011 posts)Me.
(35,454 posts)If so, the next question is...does it get taxpayer money?
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)The RW would have a shit fit if he used taxpayer money.
Me.
(35,454 posts)If the Community College owns it and takes taxpayer money, it changes the discussion as there are rules for taking that money and non-discrimination is one of them.
Coventina
(27,172 posts)All community colleges are, that why they are called community college.
Although, it should be noted that most community colleges rent their facilities out to all kinds of other organizations.
I don't know what that looks like in NY, but where I work, the CC only rents to organizations that support their mission.
I would say that this one should be problematic since it enforces segregation.
hunter
(38,328 posts)Seems only fair.
Lee-Lee
(6,324 posts)What I concept, I know...
MineralMan
(146,333 posts)They simply choose not to for religious reasons. A public beach is for the public. All of the public, every day. This would be unconstitutional in most state constitutions and the federal Constitution.
Demsrule86
(68,696 posts)Jake Stern
(3,145 posts)Their ultra orthodox beliefs are what stops them.
Coventina
(27,172 posts)Aristus
(66,467 posts)I can't believe a Democrat is sponsoring this.
Me.
(35,454 posts)just as it's been an influence in the NY State Assembly
Coventina
(27,172 posts)He was elected to a secular position and needs to govern from a secular position.
Me.
(35,454 posts)which is why Cons are in charge
Coventina
(27,172 posts)We have a lot of Xian fundies running the politics here in AZ.
Me.
(35,454 posts)sigh
brooklynite
(94,745 posts)Hilarity ensues...
Coventina
(27,172 posts)X_Digger
(18,585 posts).. especially when compared to the responses to the women-only showings of wonder woman.
I know, not 100% analogous, but interesting nonetheless.
As a principle, I can't get behind discrimination based on gender, regardless of the gender.
Cal Carpenter
(4,959 posts)according to the article. I'm not saying this in general support of the idea, mind you, but it does make a difference that the beach wouldn't have been open to the public in any case on those days and that the councilman would be paying for lifeguards etc with private funds. Some of the concerns on this thread do not apply.
I wonder if the college would allow other private events on that beach when classes are not in session that could ostensibly be gender-specific (e.g. a secular women's group of some kind using it for a gathering).
The fact that the location is a public college and that the person planning it is a public servant do concern me though.
bettyellen
(47,209 posts)cynatnite
(31,011 posts)It's a private beach owned by a community college. It would be held on days the beach is normally closed. The council member has a constituency of Jews and Muslims. He's asking two days and would be using private funds.
Plus given some of the Antisemitism and anti-Muslim hate that permeates every part of our society, maybe providing a safe haven for something like this isn't a bad idea.
Me.
(35,454 posts)but dislike this idea as much as women being asked to give up airline seats because a man of a certain religious persuasion doesn't want to sit next to her.
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)but I get why some are reticent.
stevenleser
(32,886 posts)open to everyone and are definitely considered state run for purposes of equality provisions.
cynatnite
(31,011 posts)They require beach passes to get onto it which have to be bought.
Not only that, they're not excluding anyone. It's a private event being paid for with private donations. It's nowhere near being paid for by taxpayers.
Hekate
(90,829 posts)Greybnk48
(10,176 posts)No disrespect.
NY_20th
(1,028 posts)Although the argument involved women only swimming hours.
The NYC Commission on Human Rights reviewed it and decided to keep women only swimming hours.
http://gothamist.com/2016/07/06/women_only_swim_hours_update.php
BannonsLiver
(16,470 posts)bobbieinok
(12,858 posts)Was 'SBC speak' for males and females were not to swim in pool at same time.
At Falls Creek, OK SBC campgrounds, times for when boys were allowed to swim and when girls were allowed to swim were posted everywhere.