Poof Doof nightclub in Melbourne is under fire for a 'no girls' photography rule. Photo / 123rf
A Melbourne nightclub has come under fire after a memo emerged demanding official photographers only take pictures of "boys with muscles, big ones" and not take snaps of women because "no one is here to see girls, ever."
Poof Doof, a gay club based in South Yarra, has admitted the document, which also says men with "bad skin" should also be avoided as well as "skinny boys in burgundy T-shirts and chinos," is genuine.
But it has insisted the instructions are seven years old and no longer in use. It has apologised profusely after being accused of misogyny and body shaming, news.com.au reported.
However, there are now calls for the club to be banned from having a presence at Sydney's Mardi Gras and Melbourne's Midsumma LGBTI events.
The written document came to light on LGBTI Facebook page DIY Rainbow run by former Sydney Mardi Gras board member and trivia host James Brechney.
"Photos are only to be taken of boys. No one is here to see girls." "Photos are NOT to be taken of boys with bad skin, messy boys" Wow is this real POOF DOOF? Disgusting. 🤬
Posted by DIY Rainbow on Tuesday, 15 January 2019
The brief was for photographers contracted by the club. They were told to take pictures of striking clubbers whose images would then be uploaded to the night's Facebook with a 'power poof' frame.
Its first line states: "Photos are only to be taken of boys. Poof Doof is a club for homos. No one is here to see girls. Ever."
It goes into great detail about what kind of men should be snapped.
"Boys with muscles. Big ones. The kind of muscles that come about from spending at least five sessions a week at the gym. If you want to lick their faces because they look so delicious, take a photo."
As you might imagine, it being a gay bar, drag queens get an exception from the muscly boy diktat. "But only the best. And once they've had their photo taken that's it. Forever."
An extensive list of no-nos is then listed including: "Skinny boys in burgundy T-shirts and chinos. They are a dime a dozen. There is nothing interesting nor cool about them."
In addition to people who don't have flawless, glowing skin, also on the rejection list is: "Anyone who looks like they've poked down a 10-pack is OUT".
And as for "indi (sic)" boys: "They are not power poof worthy unless they are BREATHTAKINGLY good looking or especially stylish".
"Poof Doof is a gay club for homos. No-one is here to see girls. Ever."
— Matthew Wade (@MatthewRWade) January 16, 2019
Poof Doof has apologised for its misogynistic and body-shaming photographer brief, saying the club hasn't used it in years and that they "absolutely don't stand by it".https://t.co/FxQ7RTvAyN pic.twitter.com/FZq9o1LLA6
Poof Doof,
— Kirsty Webeck (@KirstyWebeck) January 16, 2019
In your apology regarding your rancid photographer’s brief, you claim you absolutely don’t stand by that brief now, however you have photos plastered all over the Internet that would indicate otherwise.
Ya gotta put your thinking caps on before you speak!
this comment on the poof doof page I’m literally screaming pic.twitter.com/7vlhtYipv4
— The Corrupt Cowgirl (@pero_chuu) January 17, 2019
Talking to news.com.au, Mr Brechney said the instructions were appalling.
"A party promoter using 'hot' members of the public to advertise their nights while at the same time erasing others patrons is not on.
"It's mean, it's cheap and it's tacky."
Others piled in on social media: "Absolutely disgusting. Way to go in reinforcing the vacuous, shallow, youth and beauty obsessed stereotype that plagues the LGBTIQ community," said one.
"As a woman in the gay community I'm kinds used to being excluded from things as the default. But it's usually written in a much kinder and more considered way than this," said another.
However, some defended Poof Doof's requirements: "It's the same for all clubs isn't it? Take as many photos as possible of the best looking patrons".
"Poof Doof has been nothing but an amazing force in the Melbourne (and Australian) LGBTQ scene. We should be appreciative for them and respect them," was another comment.
The club has gone into full damage control on social media publishing multiple posts, all apologising profusely.
We would like to apologise. We made a mistake. We would like to thank everyone for their meaningful comments and...
Posted by POOF DOOF on Wednesday, 16 January 2019
The promoters said the memo was seven years old: "We have not used, referred to, circulated or actioned the brief since it was written.
"We are mortified that this old document, which is not reflective of our brand, was dredged up and dragged into the public domain with the intention to hurt as many people as possible."
In a statement to news.com.au, Marcus Willis of Poof Doof said: "We made a mistake and would like to say sorry... for causing harm to our fabulous community. If (anyone) ever felt discrimination in our space, that's not good enough and we are taking full responsibility to fix it.
"We are now working very hard to listen to all feedback to better understand our community."
But Mr Brechney said Poof Doof hadn't answered questions as to how recently the instructions were still in active use.
"The way they handled this is not the best. I really do hope they can try to change and evolve but real change comes from the top and I haven't been that impressed."
On Poof Doff's website on Thursday there were indeed images of shirtless muscled up men. But there were also plenty of images of women, blokes with thin arms and even someone whose skin was not perfect in every way.