Should we interfere in the bigotry of others?

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So the members of a club decide that they do not wish to admit women - or men for that matter. Should this be a legitimate place for intervention by the state or should such folk be left to molder in their own bigotry?

A mother-of-three has declared war on men-only workingmen’s clubs after being refused entry to a bar because she is a woman.


Having been denied access to the bar room at Sacriston Workingmen’s Club (WMC), in County Durham, Christine Oxley, who helps run neighbouring Witton Gilbert WMC, has vowed to pursue her one-woman campaign “as far as it takes”.

The 35-year-old has written to Sacriston WMC, contacted the Equality and Human Rights Commission, taken legal advice and is considering a court challenge.

Why go to such trouble to get access to somewhere full of people who don't want you to be there? It's not like there's a lack of choice of places to drink, play darts and gossip about the doings of the local village!

Or maybe these matters are more significant - if the sign said 'no dogs, no blacks, no Irish' would I be so definite in thinking it was OK?
 
Not sure but I do know that if women only gyms and swimming sessions are OK (and they are) then men only bars should be OK too.
 
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Why? (Now updated - with the answer)

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Graham has an e-cigar - part of his ongoing endeavour to stop smoking. And the Assocation of Conservative Clubs have "advised" their member clubs not to allow e-cigarettes and e-cigars.

Why?

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Update: Having written to the ACC they provided an admirably prompt reply:

Thank you for your email.

The Club’s approach to these devices is probably based on a question and answer we placed into the ACC’s Magazine some years ago which I am including here for your information.

Q.  A Member has asked whether the new style electric cigarettes are legal to be used in the Club.  Apparently they have a small cartridge inserted which gives the impression of smoking and are actually been retailed as an aid to give up cigarettes.  I am assured there is no nicotine or toxins included in the device.

A.  I would strongly suggest that the Committee do not allow such a device to be used. I am not entering into an argument that the device is not a cigarette and is therefore not illegal, my advice is based purely on the fact that the device looks exactly like a cigarette and therefore will either give the wrong impression about the Club and may give rise to complaints being made, or it may indicate to other members or guests that the Club permits smoking and that as a result they light up a real cigarette which could create serious problems for the Club.

Whilst we appreciate the points you raise and it is for each individual Conservative Club to make a final determination on the matter our advice is not to allow these types of devices to be used inside the Club’s premises.  It is important for a clear approach to be taken regarding any type of smoking inside a Club’s premises whether it be tobacco smoking, herbal smoking or electronic cigarettes which mimic smoking.  By simply stating no smoking or smoking type devices will be permitted inside the Club the Committee are making it clear that any type of smoking is unacceptable and this avoids any debate on exactly what is permitted or not permitted under the Smoking Ban. 

Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance on this matter. 

Yours sincerely,

Charles Littlewood

Assistant to the Secretary

ACC

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