Tasmania’s Museum of Old and New Art (Mona) has emerged victorious in a legal battle to continue barring men from entering an installation known as the Ladies Lounge. The exhibit was closed in April following a complaint that the museum discriminated against a man on the basis of gender. However, the state’s Supreme Court ruled on Friday that the Ladies Lounge qualifies for an exemption from the anti-discrimination act as it promotes equal opportunity for women who are disadvantaged.
The decision was praised by the artist behind the installation, Kirsha Kaechele, who described it as a triumph for women and the museum. Mona’s lawyer successfully argued that the Ladies Lounge was intended to challenge gender inequality and provide a space where women experience advantage. The court accepted that women continue to face disadvantages today, supporting the museum’s assertion that the exhibit sought to highlight both current and historical gender inequalities.
The case, which gained international attention, sparked discussions about the experience of women and societal structures. Kaechele expressed gratitude to the men involved in the legal journey, including the complainant, for inviting people worldwide to rethink women’s experiences. The museum announced that the Ladies Lounge would remain closed until further instruction from the tribunal. The ruling is seen as a victory for promoting gender equality and challenging perspectives on societal norms.
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Photo credit www.theguardian.com
